Twentieth-century composers associated with the Moscow Synodal Academy profoundly shaped Russian choral music. Prior to this, Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, and Cui had already exerted a significant influence on its stylistic direction. A turning point occurred in 1879 when Tchaikovsky's liturgy was published without official authorization, providing crucial impetus for the further development of Russian church music.[5]
While Rimsky-Korsakov and Balakirev became involved in sacred music early on, Cui turned to this field later. Under the influence of Prince Odoevsky, who, along with other musicians, intensified the study of singing, a renewed interest in the genre emerged, producing numerous composers such as Kastalsky and Rachmaninoff and carrying on the musical legacy.
[5] Among the lesser-known but nonetheless important composers of sacred works are Nikolai Golovanov, Pavel Chesnokov, Viktor Kalinnikov, Nikolai Tolstiakov, Alexander Gretchaninov, and Konstantin Shvedov. Golovanov and Chesnokov devoted themselves particularly intensively to liturgical chants, while Kalinnikov and Tolstiakov's works are notable for their diverse structures and rich harmonies. Gretchaninov and Shvedov continued the tradition of Russian sacred music and enriched it with their own distinctive touches right up to the present day.