Rachmaninov: Liturgy Of St John Chrysostom (exc); Vespers (exc)

Accentus, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir/Laurence Equilbey Naïve V5239 ****

It’s a fair bet that anyone familiar only with Rachmaninov’s orchestral or piano music would have difficulty recognising him as the composer of these two pieces. His works for the Orthodox Church date from 1910 (the Liturgy) and 1915 (the Vespers), and although both are celebrated for their flavour and their fervour, they were rejected for their intended use, being regarded as too emotional for church use. Laurence Equilbey conducts her chosen excerpts from both with a touch that floats with serenity in the quiet passages and surges with unexpected reserves of power through the build-ups. Yes, the very special quality that Russian voices often capture is not there. But the Vespers in particular create an atmosphere that sounds at once traditional and unique. You only wish Naïve had somehow stretched themselves to both works, complete.

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