Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov, a brilliant pianist and composer, a native of the noble family, has become one of the most striking symbols of Russian musical heritage around the world.
After the 1917 revolution, he was forced to emigrate to the United States, where he spent the last third of his life. However, the works of Rachmaninov were then very popular in America, Europe and the USSR.
Let's recall 10 famous works of Rachmaninov - one of the most famous domestic composers, whose talent was recognized at the world level.
10. Fantasy play, Op. 3 No. 4, “Open Door”
Fantasy play, Op. 3, No. 4, “Open Door” - This is a rather early work of Rachmaninov, written by him in 1892. The Opener is included in the cycle, consists of five plays with a total duration of about 21 minutes.
They were first performed in 1892. The work was dedicated to Anton Arensky, a teacher of Rachmaninov's composition.
All the plays of the cycle, including “The Open Work”, are considered one of the most performed works of the famous composer in the student community. Moreover, their value lies not only in facilitating the development of the right-hand technique of the performer, but also in the formation of an exemplary representation of composer's thinking.
In “Open Sign”, Rakhmaninov’s favorite “bell” motifs are combined with stubborn progressive rhythms characteristic of the march, which were destined to become key in the entire work of the great master.
9. Etude in G Minor, Op. 33 No. 8
The title of the work Etude in G Minor, Op. 33 No. 8, which the author himself gave to the plays of his new cycle, said that here the original technical problems combined with the ardent desire for colorful painting with the help of sounds. Both of these motifs, which had already appeared in Rachmaninov’s preludes, appear in this composition with even greater imagery and relief.
Here, as in other works of this period, the composer's thoughts and feelings about the fate of Russia were reflected, a heated protest against the inevitable approach of something really threatening.
8. Fantasy play, Op. 3 No. 2, “Prelude”
For the first time on a big stage, a work Fantasy play, Op. 3, No. 2, Prelude sounded in 1892, and immediately became incredibly popular. Even after many years, when Rachmaninoff had already emigrated to the States, the prelude remained relevant and very famous.
Each American interview with Rachmaninoff was necessarily accompanied by a question regarding the prelude. And once, tired of asking questions on this subject, Rachmaninov said that he simply composed music, and there was no need to persistently look for a programmatic plan in it.
7. Symphony No. 1
Composition Symphony No. 1 for the authors themselves, it was something like a second attempt to try their hand at this genre. In 1890-1891, in his final year of study at the conservatory, Rakhmaninov was invited by one of the teachers to compose a symphony.
Rachmaninov also noted that not one of the teachers who heard the symphony was delighted with the work of the young composer. Perhaps this was due to the lack of his own style, which by that time had not yet taken shape with Rachmaninov.
The symphony premiered on March 15, 1897 in St. Petersburg. The conductor then was the famous Alexander Glazunov.
Unfortunately, this evening Rachmaninov experienced severe disappointment, because his work suffered a complete failure. Critics attributed the author to eclecticism. In addition, most of them agreed that the composition was incomplete.
This failure greatly broke Rachmaninoff - the composer left writing activity for almost three years. This work for a very long time remained unreleased, and the score was considered lost.
Already after the death of the composer, in 1944, it was possible to find the orchestral voices of the symphony, due to which the score of the composition was restored. The second time the world saw the symphony only in 1945 in Moscow. This time she was a resounding success.
One part of the work, lasting about 12 minutes, was released only in 1947, and was called the “Youth Symphony”.
6. Piano concert number 3
Piano concert number 3 - This famous work of the author was completed in 1909. To this day, it is considered one of the most frequently performed works of Rachmaninov.
The composition is famous for its technical requirements for the pianist and objectively is one of the most complex works in the standard piano genre. The work was written at Rachmaninov’s dacha in Ivanovka.
The third piano concerto represents the peak of the composer's work during the second half of the 1900s. With this work, he seems to complete and summarize in this complex dramatic strip of creative searches. And at the same time, the concert does not contain those flaws that took place in the works of the author that preceded him, written in other genres.
5. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14 - this work of Rachmaninov was published in 1912 as the final of his “Fourteen Songs, Opus 34”. Created specifically for voice, it does not contain words, but is performed on only one vowel sound. The work of the author was dedicated to Antonina Nezhdanova.
In the original version, the composer indicates that the composition can be performed by both soprano and tenor, although most often it is soprano that is preferred.
Throughout its history, vocalization has been transposed to several other keys, which provided the performer with the opportunity to choose the most convenient for himself.
4. Symphonic dances
The writing Symphonic dances created by the composer in a very difficult period of his life, one might say, at the next vital break.
In the few years that Rakhmaninov spent in exile, he managed to develop a certain mode of touring activity, with a mandatory break in the summer.
Since 1931, the master’s family spent every summer at the Senar Villa in Switzerland. In this place, Rakhmaninov not only came to his senses after a busy tour season, but also worked on new musical works. With the outbreak of World War II, the plans of the master changed dramatically.
The summer of 1940, Rachmaninoff spent near New York. Here, tormented by worries about his daughter, who remained in Paris occupied by German troops, in a record short time Rachmaninoff created the last symphonic work in his life.
3. Symphony No. 2
Rachmaninoff really wanted to impress the Russian public with his First Symphony, written by him in 1895, so its deafening failure caused depression and a long creative decline.
Symphony No. 2 saw the light in January 1908 in St. Petersburg under the direction of the author. And a month later she was presented in Moscow. Fortunately, this time Rachmaninov’s symphonic composition was a huge success and was included in the list of best works.
2. Rhapsody on the themes of Paganini
The composer worked on the piece Paganini Rhapsody at the Villa Senard (Switzerland) in the summer of 1934. The premiere of the composition took place at Lyric Opera House in Baltimore on November 7 of the same year.
In this bewitching music, nostalgia for the past in the homeland is combined with frank “devilry”. No wonder Rachmaninoff added the motive “Dies irae” to it.
1. Piano concert number 2
By writing Piano concert number 2written at the very beginning of the 20th century, and other works created during this period, Rachmaninoff forever entered his name among the greatest masters of world music. The era of creative pursuit is left behind, the period of productive work has begun.
The second concert took a special place in the entire work of the composer, becoming almost his most recognizable composition. And this happened not only due to the incredible melody and expressiveness of the composition, but also due to the fact that here Rakhmaninov was incomparably vividly able to embody those states of joyful anticipation and creative take-off that absorbed wide sections of the Russian Empire at the threshold of the 20th century.
The work was dedicated to the then-famous doctor Nikolai Dal, thanks in large part to the efforts of which, Rakhmaninov was able to recover from the failure of the First Symphony and return to writing after a long “stagnant” period.