I have not been able to post much on Cogito! in recent months, but there are some things that will make me dust off this blog. One of them is the Bay Choral Guild, particularly after last night’s brilliant performance of Sergi Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil.

The concert took place in Campbell at the United Methodist Church. It was a musical feast. This is not the first time that BCG has performed this piece; that was several years ago before I was aware of this group. The program notes suggested that perhaps this piece should be considered part of BCG’s regular repertoire, and I must enthusiastically second that suggestion.

Full disclosure: I have always been a complete sucker for Rachmaninoff ever since I first heard a vinyl recording of Van Clyburn performing one of this piano concerti many, many years ago. It was moody, dense, music with a very contemporary sound, yet uniquely Russian. The All Night Vigil is far more traditional in its structure and elements, but it also thoroughly Russian, as Rachmaninoff intended. It carries a sweeping range of moods and feelings from quiet and somber to burstingly triumphant. It is a piece packed with powerful emotional and artistic content.

The performance by BCG was one of the best I have ever heard from this fine group. I must note that this being Russian choral music, the bass section is a vital part of the overall sound. I couldn’t help but notice that the basses looked like they were having a wonderful time reaching soulfully for those deep, bone-rattling low notes.

The whole performance was thrilling, capped at the end by a well-deserved standing ovation from an appreciative audience.

If you have a chance to attend the next performances, don’t miss it. They are Saturday (today) June 9th at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, and Sunday June 10th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto.

Also, do consider making a contribution to Bay Choral Guild.