Piano Concerto No. 2 (Rachmaninoff)

The Piano Concerto No. 2, Op 18 in C minor was composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff between the autumn in 1900/ 1901. It was first performed on 27 October 1901 in Moscow under the direction of Alexander Siloti, the composer played the solo part. Dedicated to Rachmaninoff, the factory has the Russian neurologist Nikolai Dahl.

Background

As Rachmaninoff began the composition of the second piano concerto, he had undergone a serious creative crisis. In October 1897 his Symphony No. 1 in D minor was both the audience and the critics failed, an experience that zusetzte the young composer hard. Until then spoiled by a success which was, therefore, come as single-handedly, he suddenly felt himself unable to with new compositions to appear in public. Rachmaninov, known for its melancholy, fell into self-doubt and finally depression. His relationship to move him to a therapy succeeded. The neurologist Dahl treated him successfully using hypnosis. Rachmaninoff wrote here about later:

" I heard the same hypnotic formula repeated day after day, while I was sleeping in Dahl's treatment room., You will write your concert ... you'll be working with great ease ... The concert will be of excellent quality ... " It was always the same words, without interruption. Although it may seem unbelievable, this therapy really helped me. In the summer I began to compose. The material grew and new musical ideas began to stir in me. "

Rachmaninoff dedicated the concert to thank the doctor.

The concert

Rachmaninoff had completed the second and the third movement of the concerto first. The sentences were presented in the fall of 1900 under the direction of Alexander Siloti and Rachmaninov at the piano to the public. Even this performance came despite the lack of head movement on enthusiasm and unanimous praise. Nikolai Kashkin wrote:

"His great talent has long been not only drawn the attention in Russia, but also abroad. Only now but it seems that this talent is chasing his inner strength fully aware and therefore free from the previous compulsion, unusual effects of harmony and instrumentation. The classical clarity of form, the width of the melodies, the opulence and power of the harmonic force us in the true sense of the word to see the work of remarkable. "

The concert still enjoys a lot of popularity because of its quite the romantic owed ​​, -song - melodic themes. Even Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 of 1909, which is applied similarly, it could not outstrip despite great recognition.

The movement titles are:

• Moderato
• Adagio sostenuto
• Allegro scherzando

The header record

The piano solo begins with eight chords that as it chimes sound like from a distance and gradually increase in volume. To this play as intended, you need big hands, because the chords of the left hand in Dezim intervals are involved. Rachmaninoff himself, though he had big hands, but played in his recording of 1929 in all chords from the second the Big F as a proposal; extent has this variant, which is suitable for smaller hands, validity.

The first theme, a haunting melody in C minor, is in measure 11, an orchestra and is accompanied by swirling runs in the piano part. From bar 28 the theme is spun out by the cellos and later strings. The piano takes over in measure 55, the sequel replaces clock 63 in a kind of cadence. Arrhythmic chords introduce a second, lyrical theme in E flat major. Beginning in measure 83, it is first introduced by the piano and finally by the soloist spun out as the orchestra.

The development begins in bar 161 with the first motive of the first theme, the flute with the acclamation as'' - b '' - g'' - as'' - c '' answers. This exclamation is gaining in importance in the following, is modulated and taken up by the piano. Finally, in repeated notes and chords striking it determines the nature of the implementation. It is run from one key to the next, the modulations extend to G # major. Motives of the second theme appears in the implementation also on (for example from bar 218), but hardly noticed because the piano they superimposed. The recapitulation begins in measure 246 in the orchestra, the piano chords opposes the motif acclamation in solid certainty. The second theme ( A flat major ) follows quickly ( clock 298 in the horns ), from bar 314, the final phase of the first movement is initiated.

The second sentence

The Adagio sostenuto is in E major. His first theme begins in measure 9, the flute presents it, the clarinet takes over it. The piano remains in an accompanying feature. Swap From bar 24 soloist and orchestra roles. In bar 47 occurs, add another, somewhat more passionate theme in a minor key, perform the orchestra and piano. The set is rounded off by picking up the first theme, with whom he will also be decided.

The American songwriter Eric Carmen has taken the theme for the song All By Myself. Next are heard fragments of the theme with Billy Joel in his song Honesty.

The third set

The third set ( Key: C minor ) begins with a dialogue between orchestra and piano, which presents itself in virtuosic runs. The real issue, which combines abrupt cadences with runs, begins in measure 43 An intermediate motive (measure 75) passes the transition to a second theme one that begins in measure 106. Its implementation leads to a renewed revisiting of the topic as well as in a high at the virtuosity of a pianist of entitlement is end closing part.

Occupation

2,2,2,2 - 4,2,3,1 - timp, perc *, pno ( solo), st

• Pool, Gr. Drum ( 2 players )

The concert in the film

In the film The Seven Year Itch Marilyn Monroe be seduced by Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2. In the novel adaptation Menschen im Hotel with Greta Garbo as well as in the dance movie Center Stage, the piece is also played. In the anime Nodame Cantabile the piece by a student orchestra will be carried forward to the enthusiasm of the critics present at the 11th episode. In the 12th episode you get to hear a quick interpretation on two pianos.

Is played in an impressive length of the piece in the finale of the film Symphony of the heart with Elizabeth Taylor.

Sound Sample

( played by the Skidmore College Orchestra, Saratoga Springs, New York)

Moderato ( file? )

Adagio sostenuto ( file? )

Allegro scherzando ( file? )