Pavel Chesnokov studied with Taneyev, Ippolitov-Ivanov and Conus in Moscow and was an admired choral director in the city. He wrote more than 500 choral works, the majority of them sacred. His contribution to music for the Divine Liturgy was immense and he wrote two settings of the All-Night Vigil, the second of which is heard here, rich in chant melodies, and full of grandeur and Romantic lyricism. His smaller-scale works show a refined and perceptive use of texture and sonority, often capturing the essence of chant without direct quotation.

Conductor Graham Walker is an award-winning cellist and conductor who recently gave his debuts on BBC Radio 3 and at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. His album Journey Through Latin America was warmly received by Latin American critics and was pre-selected for the Latin Grammys in 2013.

Walker and St John’s Voices also appear on a disc devoted to William Mathias, a Gramophone Critic’s Choice of the Year winner, described as ‘life-enhancing… and hugely entertaining display of dazzling choral singing’, on 8574162.

Fanfare wrote that ‘Conductor Graham Walker has obviously drilled his choral forces to a tee; their ensemble, intonation, rhythm, and diction are impeccable, and they sing with evident spirit and enthusiasm. The recorded sound is excellent…’