All Night Vigil, Op. 37 named “The Best Recording” of this work by BBC Magazine

Gloriæ Dei Cantores recording of Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil, Op. 37 named “The Best Recording” of this work by BBC Magazine

“Faithful to the letter and the spirit”—BBC

APRIL 2023 —On the 150th birthday of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Gloriæ Dei Cantores’ recording of All Night Vigil, Op. 37 has just been named “The best recording” by BBC Magazine, surpassing Sveshnikov’s 1965 album, which many consider the gold standard among Soviet and Russian Productions.

Under the baton of Peter Jermihov, American choir Gloriæ Dei Cantores (Director, Richard K. Pugsley) was joined by members of the St. Romanos Capella, The Patriarch Tikhon Choir, and the Washington Master Chorale for this collaborative effort. In addition, Bass soloist Vadim Gan sang the Deacon’s part, and two soloists from the National Opera of Ukraine, Mariya Berezovska and tenor Dmitry Ivanchenko, joined the recording. The ensemble was praised for its “engaging and uplifting performance” (BBC) at the Church of the Transfiguration on Cape Cod.

Gloriæ Dei Cantores has a rich history of musical and cultural exchange in Russia, having been invited by late Patriarch Alexy II for three tours of Russia from 1990 – 1998. They sang in churches and concert halls throughout Moscow, St. Petersburg, Siberia, and cities in the Golden Ring—sacred music that had not been heard in concert halls since the Soviet Revolution.

“A landmark recording, one that is destined to become the new standard for this work. And if you don’t know the Rachmaninoff “All-Night Vigil” yet,
THIS is the recording you should get to begin your acquaintance.”
—Vladimir Morosan, Musica Russica

Read Fanfare Interview with the Director