Tchaikovsky: All-Night Vigil & Other Sacred Choral Works

Sigvards Kļava and the Latvian Radio Choir perform Tchaikovsky’s All-Night Vigil as well as four shorter choral works. The Vigil, also called the Vesper Service, is deeply involved with Russian Orthodox traditions. This album follows their acclaimed Tchaikovsky choral recording of 2019, and means they have now recorded the Russian composer’s complete sacred choral works. BBC Music Magazine Choice

Featuring

Sigvards Kļava
Latvian Radio Choir
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Recording & Production

This album is the second by the Latvian Radio Choir, led by Sigvards Kļava, featuring sacred works by Tchaikovsky, with the All-Night Vigil as its centerpiece.

Notable Performances

The All-Night Vigil was first performed by the Chudovsky Chorus, conducted by Pyotr Sakharov, in Moscow on June 27, 1882.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Tchaikovsky considered the liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom one of the greatest artistic creations and found deep poetic appeal in church services, despite having lost faith in some dogmas.

Composition History

Tchaikovsky's All-Night Vigil, also known as the Vesper Service, was written between May 1881 and March 1882.

Compositional Technique

Tchaikovsky described his All-Night Vigil as 'An essay in harmonisation of liturgical chants,' drawing on Znamenny, Kievan, and Greek chants.

Performer Biography

The Latvian Radio Choir, led by Sigvards Kļava, has won the Grammy Award for the album 'Adam's Lament' by Arvo Pärt and has been praised by Gramophone for its recording of Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil.

Compositional Technique

In the All-Night Vigil, Tchaikovsky used a 'strict style,' avoiding chromaticism and limiting dissonances, with the upper voice often based on simple, primordial melodies.