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Georgi Sviridov (1915-1998) is the most prominent composer of Russian choral music in the latter half of the twentieth century. In his "symphonic" and "coloristic" approach to choral writing, he follows in the footsteps of the masters from the "new Russian choral school" of the early 20th century--Kastalsky, Rachmaninoff, and Gretchaninoff. His Concerto for Choir entitled "A Pushkin Wreath" (Pushkinskii venok), from which this haunting movement is taken, exemplifies his powerful ties to the giants of Russian literature and poetry, as well as to the Russian national spirit.