The Clarion Choir will celebrate the New Year with the “Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom” by Rachmaninoff

The Clarion Choir will continue its cherished annual tradition of performing Russian choral music for New Years with Rachmaninoff’s “Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom” on December 31 and January 1 at 5:00 p.m. at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin. Trinidad in New York. Father Leonid Roshko, protodiacer of the Russian Orthodox Church, joins The Clarion Choir once again as deacon for these New Year’s performances following their collaboration on the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated album Kastalsky: Memory Eternal. Rachmaninoff’s epic a cappella work “Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom” gives the Clarion Choir the opportunity to connect with New Yorkers musically and spiritually to welcome in 2022.

The Clarion Choir has gained international fame for its performances and recordings of sacred Russian music. Her first three recordings won Editor’s Choice in Gramophone, Choral & Song Selection and Choral Award nomination in BBC Music magazine, 5 Diapasons in France and three GRAMMY nominations for best choral performance. Soprano soloists Nola Richardson and tenor Marc Day join Clarion for this performance.

Often considered to be more liturgically composed than his last “Vespers”, the “Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom” is Rachmaninoff’s only framework of the main worship service of the Russian Orthodox Church. Clarion offers the opportunity to experience this rarely performed masterpiece in the intended setting. After the 1910 Russian premiere of the “Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom”, Rachmaninoff did little to promote the work despite the pride that surrounded him and it quickly fell into oblivion. Notably, the exception to this was a performance in January 1914 by the male choir of the Russian Cathedral of St. Nicholas on the Upper East Side, about 20 blocks from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. .

Please note that in accordance with the recent “Key to NYC” guideline, all performers, members of the public and staff are requested to present proof of vaccination prior to entering the venue.

Tickets are now on sale for the Clarion Choir’s New Years performances on December 31 and January 1 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (337 East 74th Street; New York, NY 10021). For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit clarionsociety.org.