LancasterChorale: Vigil in Memoriam • 1918 Rachmaninov and Voices from World War I

Written in 1915 and first performed to support the war effort that same year, Rachmaninov’s powerful All-Night Vigil is considered not only one of the composer’s finest musical achievements, but also one of the 20^th century’s most important works of musical art in any genre. The majestic, reverent, and resonant sonority of the Russian Orthodox choral tradition is ever-present in this landmark piece of choral music.

The second half of our program memorializes those who perished in the “war to end all wars” and explores the emotions of devotion to country, anguish, and loneliness soldiers experienced in World War I during this the 100-year anniversary of the signing the Armistice, November 11, 1918. The recitation of short contemplative poems from the era, the singing of heart-rending choral works which comment on the state of mind of those who lived through the war, and the respectful reading of names of fallen soldiers from local Ohio communities are woven together into one uninterrupted moving memorial.