Dmitri Bortnyansky (1751-1825), as Director of the Imperial Court Chapel and sole censor of Russian church music, held a monopoly that hindered other composers' creativity in sacred music after 1816.
Historical Context
Under Patriarch Nikon (1652-1667), polyphony was introduced in Russian churches, though monophonic chant persisted among the most orthodox believers.
Historical Context
Unlike Western European composers, Russian composers discovered sacred music relatively late due to the Russian-Orthodox liturgy not permitting instruments, only singing.
Composition History
Rachmaninoff dedicated his All-Night Vigil, composed in January and February 1915, to the memory of his teacher Stepan Smolensky (1848-1909), director of the Moscow Synodal School for Church Song.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Rachmaninoff considered his All-Night Vigil, along with his choral symphony The Bells Op. 35 (1913), to be his favorite works.
Critical Reception
The premiere of Rachmaninoff's Vigil on March 10, 1915, with the Moscow Synodal Choir, was so well-received that the audience applauded spontaneously despite a ban on applause for sacred music.
Cultural Impact
Rachmaninoff's Vigil was forgotten due to the anti-religious policies of the Soviet Union and a temporary performance ban after his emigration, only to be rediscovered in Russia during Perestroika.
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