The Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara has in the past had his greatest successes with orchestral and instrumental music. However, his unaccompanied choral works are now being performed all over the world. Composed in 1971, Vigilia is his complete setting of the Orthodox Liturgy of Matins and Vespers. The meditative style owes much to the example of Rachmaninov and the Russian tradition, but also to his admiration for Debussy and Messiaen.
Paul Guinery is joined by Stephen Layton to introduce a performance specially recorded by the BBC Singers.
Margaret Feaviour (soprano), Lynette Alcantara (mezzo), Kim Porter (alto), Andrew Murgatroyd (tenor), Simon Birchall (bass) BBC Singers, conductor Stephen Layton Rautavaara Vigilia (R)