background
Bogoroditse Devo is one of the best-known choral works by Sergei Rachmaninov, a Russian composer who lived from 1873 to 1943. The piece is part of his All-Night Vigil (Vespers), opus 37, composed in 1915.
This work is a setting of the Orthodox liturgy and is considered one of the highlights of Russian Orthodox choral music. The text of Bogoroditse Devo is a Slavic version of the Ave Maria, a prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary.
The melody moves in fluid lines, and the voices intertwine in a way that gives a sense of continuity and tranquility. The text is presented in clear phrases, with enough breathing room for the singers and listeners to absorb the meaning. The rhythmic patterns are predominantly simple, contributing to the intelligibility and meditative quality of the piece.
Bogoroditse Devo was performed by Cappella Amsterdam under conductor Daniel Reuss in concert series The Grand Inquisitor. At the request of Cappella Amsterdam, the concert was filmed by production company MILLK in De Vereeniging, Nijmegen. The audio is recorded by A-A-AUDIO.
lyrics
Bogoróditse Dyévo, ráduisya,
Blagodátnaya Maríye, Gospód s tobóyu.
Blagoslovyéna ty v zhenákh,
i blagoslovyén plod chryéva tvoyevó,
yáko Spása rodilá yesí dush náshikh.
performed by
Cappella Amsterdam
Daniel Reuss conductor
