Vsenochnaya Rahmaninov

The Dutch conductor Marcel N. Verhoeff has recorded Rachmaninov’s Vespers with the Russian Academic State Boys- and Male Choir from Moscow. Verhoeff speaks reasonable Russian, but as he says: “Music is an international language. Rehearsals pass that I only let my hands speak.” Rachmaninov’s 1915 Vespers for a cappella choir are considered by many to be a pinnacle in Russian sacred and choral music. Rachmaninov himself also counted it among his best works and wanted some of it (Nunc dimittis) to be sung at his funeral.