Sergei Vassillevich Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), prominent Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, left a wealth of compositions in a variety of genres. He composed three a cappella works in the realm of sacred choral music: Ever-vigilant Mother of God, The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and The All-Night Vigil, Op. 37 (1915). This piece is number VI from The All-Night Vigil.