Rachmaninov ****
Proms 37-38, Royal Albert Hall, 13th August 2017
“The sound of church bells dominated all the cities of Russia I used to know,” said Sergei Rachmaninov. “They accompanied every Russian from childhood to grave, and no composer could escape their influence.” By extension, we may also include the sound of Russian Orthodox chant to those influences. Rachmaninov was not an especially religious man, yet he composed religious music, most famously the haunting All-Night Vigil (or Vespers). Liturgical chant and a whiff of incense also found their way – perhaps subconsciously – into his symphonic works, fascinatingly explored across Sunday’s two Proms.
Thomas Dausgaard and the BBC Scottish SO
© BBC | Chris Christodoulou
Read the full review on Bachtrack.