A brilliant pianist, a skilled conductor and a gifted composer, Sergueï Rachmaninov embodied all the talents of a complete musician. When he wrote the Liturgy of St. John Chrisostom at the age of 37 his list of compositions already included two symphonies, three operas, three piano concertos as well as numerous romances and piano preludes. The St. John Liturgy consists of 20 pieces representing the most important parts of the Russian orthodox liturgical service (The Ektenias, Anaphora, Creed, etc.). From a musical point of view, its symphonic and epic scope cannot be overlooked. It is also distinguished by Rachmaninov’s unique, pliant rhythmic style and his unmistakable harmonic language.

This concert closes with the premier recording of three a cappella choruses. Similar to the St. John Liturgy, these three compositions unite the long tradition of Russian song and chant with Rachmaniniv’s unique mode of expression.