It can sometimes prove difficult to reconcile the two distinctive temperaments of Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943). By that I mean the schmalzy, heart on his sleeve, hyper-romantic composer of Vocalise, the slow movement of his Symphony No. 2, and/or his Piano Concertos for example. And the devout, orthodox, and spiritually inspired composer of the All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, "Vespers" from 1915. Nonetheless, there's something undeniably Slavic in character that resides within all his music. After all, he did consider himself "the most Russian of Russians", so his self-imposed political exile to the United States in 1917, brought on by the Bolshevik Revolution, must have been a traumatic experience.

Vespers is a liturgical service that takes place after sunset, and serves as a beacon of hope and light to guide one through the encroachment of the darkness of night. It is usually reserved, quiet, and most of all highly reverential. This new recording marks the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth. The 32-member strong New York based Clarion Choir impress on the work just the right level of pious stoicism it calls for, whilst the crystal clarity and perfectly gauged blend of their voices as in Rejoice, O Virgin, permeates the music with all-embracing light. The ending alone of this particular piece (audio clip below) is enough to demonstrate the calibre of this choir, and the perceptive leadership of Steven Fox, an esteemed conductor, choir and music director for many ensembles over the years.