BBC Singers 2022-23 The Canticle of the Sun with Abel Selaocoe and BBC Singers

The BBC Singers are joined by their newly-titled Artist in Association, the South African cellist, Abel Selaocoe to perform Sofia Gubaidulina’s mystical Canticle of the Sun. Originally dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich who died 25 years ago this year, Canticle of the Sun is a setting of St Francis of Assisi’s prayer to the natural world, calling for dazzling virtuosity from cellist and choir alike, and a masterpiece of the late 20th century repertoire.

Followed by Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil — also known as the ‘Vespers’ — drawing on the chant and bells of Russian Orthodox worship to create a masterpiece of choral a cappella music.