Baltimore Choral Arts presents Rachmaninoff Vespers

Oct.

4:00 pm

Baltimore Basilica

409 Cathedral St

Baltimore, MD 21210

Our season begins with the iconic Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil, performed in Church Slavonic with Ukrainian pronunciation. The Baltimore Basilica is the perfect setting for this deeply reflective and profoundly beautiful composition, based on Eastern Orthodox church chants and performed with stunning choral unity.

The concert begins with “Lux Aeterna” by contemporary Ukrainian composer Julija Ovseičiuk, a luminous invocation of light. Midway through the Vigil, Rachmaninoff’s traditional “Magnificat” movement will be replaced with “Requiem” by American songwriter Eliza Gilkyson, a heartfelt meditation originally composed following the Asian tsunami in December, 2004. Together, these programmatic changes transform the work from one of celebration to one that resonates with the current challenges faced in our world today.

“Rachmaninoff’s Vespers is one of the most timeless choral works ever written, but in this performance we’ve chosen to let contemporary voices speak alongside his. By beginning with a Ukrainian composer and replacing the ‘Magnificat’ with Eliza Gilkyson’s ‘Requiem,’ the program takes on a more somber, reflective character. It reminds us that timeless music is not just about the past—it can also give voice to the present struggles of people, in this case the Ukrainian people, and offer a space for both lament and hope,” said Music Director Anthony Blake Clark.

About Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil

Composed in 1915 against the backdrop of World War I and the coming Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil draws on centuries-old Orthodox chant traditions. Its premiere was met with wide acclaim, and it has since been hailed as one of the most profound achievements in a cappella choral music.

The Power of the A Cappella Voice

Performed entirely without instruments, the Vigil relies on the human voice alone, from the earth-shaking resonance of Russian basses to the soaring clarity of soprano lines. This unaccompanied sound world creates an atmosphere that is at once intimate and transcendent, immersing listeners in a musical space where time seems suspended.

Event Details

What: Rachmaninoff Vespers (All-Night Vigil) with works by Julija Ovseičiuk and Eliza Gilkyson
When: Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Baltimore Basilica, 409 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD
Who: Baltimore Choral Arts | Anthony Blake Clark, Music Director

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