Pavel Grigorievich Chesnokov was a prominent Russian composer, conductor, and teacher, renowned for his extensive contributions to sacred choral music. Born on October 24, 1877, near Voskresensk in the Moscow region, Chesnokov showed early promise in music, leading him to the Moscow Synodal School of Church Singing, from which he graduated in 1895. He furthered his education under the tutelage of the esteemed composer Sergei Taneyev and later at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied conducting and composition with Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, graduating in 1917.

Chesnokov's career was deeply intertwined with the Russian Orthodox Church, and he became the most prolific composer associated with the Moscow Synodal School. His oeuvre includes over 500 choral works, with more than 400 being sacred compositions. Among his notable works are three complete settings of the Divine Liturgy, two settings of the All-Night Vigil, and a setting of the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts. His compositions are characterized by their rich textures and colorful harmonies, often incorporating chant-based elements alongside original compositions.

Despite his devotion to sacred music, Chesnokov's career was significantly impacted by the political climate of the Soviet era, which was hostile to religious expression. After the Bolshevik Revolution, he ceased composing sacred music due to government sanctions and shifted his focus to secular choral works. Nevertheless, he continued to influence the musical landscape as a conductor and educator. From 1920 until his death, he taught choral music at the Moscow Conservatory and conducted several state choirs, including the choirs of the Bolshoi Theater and Moscow Academy.

Chesnokov's legacy is perhaps best encapsulated by his piece "Salvation Is Created," a Communion hymn that remains one of his most enduring works. Tragically, the demolition of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 1933, where he had served as choirmaster, deeply affected him, leading him to cease composing altogether. Pavel Chesnokov passed away on March 14, 1944, in Moscow, leaving behind a rich legacy of choral music that continues to be celebrated today.