Expert: Gary Goldberg - 12/22/2007

Question
I have always been a great fan of russian coral music but I dont get the chance to listen very often these days..could you tell me a little more about how rachmaninoff's coral vespers are thought of in the classical music world. and are they only religious in nature or did rachmaninoff say something more in this music if that is known by any diaries and so forth? is it serene light? thats my favorite.

Answer
I'm not very knowledgeable about liturgical music but from my knowledge of Rachmaninoff I know that his Vespers were his favorite work and well-regarded among those familiar with the music.

Rachmaninoff was religious, but not being Orthodox, I can't speculate on if there was anything more to the text and music than most hear.