Rachmaninov, Blessed Is the Man (Блажен муж)

In our Early Sacred Music course we devote a complete unit to the music of Eastern Orthodoxy with particular emphasis on the Russian Orthodox Church. Orthodox chant developed on a different path than Gregorian Chant in the West and remained isolated from Western influences for many centuries. The old Znamenny Chant is still sung today in the Old Believer churches. But Peter the Great introduced many Western ideas and practices during his reign. Russian art, architecture, and music began adopting much of what was fashionable in the West.

Russian Orthodox chant took on Western tonality and rich harmonies. It retains, however, its unique liturgical quality and distinctive sound. As the Nationalist movement of the 19th century inspired composers to turn to more authentically Russian themes, the chant was an obvious source with deep roots in Russian culture. Some of Russia’s famous composers turned to setting the chant, including Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov.

Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil combines texts from the offices of Vespers and Matins. This selection, one of 15, comes from Psalm 1. Rachmaninov uses various elements of traditional Russian chant, but with many voices and very rich texture. It is an extraordinary work and worth your time to explore it in depth.