Hailed as 鈥榯he greatest musical achievement of the Russian Orthodox Church鈥�, Rachmaninov鈥檚 All-Night Vigil (Vespers) is also one of the loveliest works of any faith 鈥� a profoundly moving statement of belief and the last major work the composer completed before he left Russia.

Sung unaccompanied, the Vigil is a choral tour de force, pushing the singers to the limits of both range and dynamics. The effect is strikingly dramatic, encompassing the ecstatic choral celebration of the Resurrection Hymn 鈥楾oday salvation has come鈥� and the infinite tenderness of the 鈥楢ve Maria鈥�.

The Latvian Radio Choir returns following its performance of Orthodox chant in tonight鈥檚 earlier Prom.

There will be no interval

Image: Latvian Radio Choir 漏 Dace Bula