In 1976, the Cathedral Choral Society (CCS) presented the Washington, D.C. premiere of Rachmaninoff's masterpiece Solemn Vespers, Op 37. On Sunday, February 24, 2013, the 130-voice CCS will perform this piece in the original Old Church Slavonic. Rachmaninoff considered this epic setting of the Divine Liturgy his finest artistic achievement. The masterpiece expresses the whole gamut of human emotion in its yearning to encounter the Divine presence.
This piece will be performed by Washington's oldest choral ensemble, CCS, the resident symphonic chorus of Washington National Cathedral. Paul Callaway who served as its music director until 1984 founded CCS in 1941. Since 1985, J. Reilly Lewis has conducted the Society in musical masterpieces from plainsong to the classics to contemporary works.
Since its founding, CCS has presented numerous world premieres; many of them commissioned by the Society, and has showcased both promising young soloists and internationally known artists.
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The event starts at 4pm and will be held at the Washington National Cathedral located at Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues, NW in D.C. Ticket prices start at $31 and can be purchased online at www.cathedralchoralsociety.org and 202-537-2228. Free parking is available in the Cathedral’s underground garage. For more information, call 202-537-5527.
