Prelude in C-sharp minor (Rachmaninoff)

Sergei Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor ( Прелюдия ) op 3 no 2 Morceaux de fantaisie from is by far his most popular piano piece; to fame more than surpassed by the second piano concerto. With its relative technical simplicity of game it is one of the most famous works of the late Romantic period.

Data to the work

The result is the work in 1892, it was published in 1893. The composer led the piece itself on September 26, 1892 at the Moscow Exhibition on Electrical Engineering. The entire cycle was premiered on December 27, 1892 in Kharkov. The playing time is different from artist to artist, recordings usually last between three and five minutes.

Genesis

The second piece from the cycle of five fantasy pieces composed by Rachmaninoff almost immediately after his graduation with the large gold medal at the Moscow Conservatory, in poverty and depression. The collection is his former professor in the subject harmony, Anton Arensky, dedicated.

Analysis

The musical analysis of the work is based to a large extent on interpretations and interpretations. So it is not surprising that many interpretations and musical analyzes contradict each other. Where a musicologist looks about many topics, sees only another variation on a theme.

Part One

The piece is ABA divided into three main parts, and ends with a coda. It begins with three powerful octaves in fortissimo (ff), which the imperious knocking one fateful motif (sometimes it is claimed that the simple melody with the words " Give us bread " could be accompanied, this theory was never taken seriously ) symbolize. At the very beginning you are achieved fascinated by the acumen with which the young inexperienced composer novel and original way effects. In the outer parts Rachmaninoff collected by the virtuosity typical of Russian music bells (see Piano Concerto No. 2, The bells, first 8 bars ). A melancholic Lento follows the bells. That Dreitonkeim from the beginning acts as a dynamically isolated motto, which is varied in the course of the Lento section. The main difficulty of the slow part is to span the entire section one huge arc to let the melody never stop, which is only good pianist succeed immaculate. At the end of the A section melody is always quieter.

Another aspect of the first part of the C sharp minor Prelude is the special pedal technique that uses Rachmaninoff. It is within the discretion of the pianist himself, to interpret in their own way, but mostly Rachmaninoff applied technology. As used Rachmaninoff so as not to mix the three most played at a different root chord, the second, middle pedal. The mean (not available on all pianos ) pedal can have different functions, but in this case it refers to the function as a sostenuto pedal. When Tonhalte pedal ( also sostenuto pedal ) remain the damper of the buttons are currently pressed, lifted, as long as one is stepping the pedal. All other dampers function normally. At the same time it is still possible to have other pedals in use to withstand thereafter chords can. This pedal is used primarily in the piano music of the 20th century use. In pianos the middle pedal usually has the moderator function in wings it is mostly a Tonhalte pedal. However, this pedal achieve its effect only if it is depressed after the striking of the tones.

Striking in the first part are also the extreme dynamic markings where a ppp ( pianissimo piano ) is not uncommon, which stands at the beginning as a contrast to fortissimo the first 3 octaves.

Part Two

Seemingly out of nowhere, without a break or caesura, and very mysterious then begins the B section, whose only speech is marked Agitato. However, this tempo marking varies over the course of the second section very strong. In this part it is a virtuoso, excited Triolenabschnitt, which concludes with a toccatenartig low refractive index Martellato cascade, which ended as a finale of over the whole B section extending accelerando the second part. Striking in this respect from the 14th cycle of this section, the 13 intervals that should be played by the left hand, but are usually interpreted as arpeggios, provide information on the size of the hands Rachmaninoff, which without further problems, it was possible to use a twelfth ( an 12-tone interval) to grip. This part ends with two massive chords in fortissimo, which are announced by their root notes in 4 octaves and triple sforzato ( chimes ).

Part Three

Finally, the initial motive "a tempo" does not return, however, as initially tentative and questioning, but pesante, with tremendous force. Here comes the final size Rachmaninov (also in the purely physical sense ) to the fore; Also it is clear here that Rachmaninoff alludes to the Russian bells. An increase up to four times sforzato ( sffff ) and a doubling of both parts of the hand - four staves in by sounding pedal, here can Rachmaninov no stone unturned hereinzubrechen with the piano like a force of nature on the listener. Thus, it is one of the few works for piano with four staves, which are also fully savored. This notation variant is suitable only for skilled eye and impossible to try as a sight-reading exercise. Twice 12 notes of a chord are even listed in one fell swoop, what only as a kind of arpeggio is possible of course. After the chords subsided gradually toward the oppressive fatigue of the beginning of the play ends in a very original, again reminiscent of the Piano Concerto No. 2 chord progression, and finally. Keening in a C sharp minor chord in first inversion This third section is the culmination of the built up over A and B overall.

Reception of the work

During the Moscow premiere in 1892 hardly caused a stir, the C sharp minor Prelude soon became a special trademark Rachmaninov. He often had to take due to its popularity in its programs or play at the request of the audience, according to legendary " C sharp minor " Call at least as an encore. So Ernest Newman wrote in the London Times in 1928: "He is one of the very few musicians who can fill the Queen's Hall in these days, but if he causes because he is one of the best pianists, or because he the C-sharp minor Prelude has written, I could not say. "This C-sharp minor Prelude has become in fact the hit and the Prelude by Rachmaninov.

Trivia

A very peculiar kind of fame original piano piece in the orchestral version with threatening cymbals, as it was formerly often played in silent films.