Tchaikovsky was enthusiastic about Rachmaninov's newly-completed symphonic poem 'The Rock' after hearing it in September 1893 and wished to conduct it in St. Petersburg, but his death prevented this.
Composition History
Rachmaninov transcribed Glazunov's Symphony No. 6 for piano four-hands on commission from Belyayev's publishing firm, receiving 200 roubles for his work.
Historical Context
The world premieres of Glazunov's Sixth Symphony and Rachmaninov's First Symphony took place on the same evening, March 15, 1897, both conducted by Glazunov.
Recording & Production
The original manuscript of Rachmaninov's transcription of Glazunov's Sixth Symphony was lost during the Leipzig air raids in World War II, and this recording uses a copy from the Lenin Library in Moscow.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Scriabin's conceptualization of music tended to be piano-like, making his work well-suited for piano transcription, even for a piece originally for large orchestra like Poème de l'extase.
Critical Reception
Rachmaninov's First Symphony was a complete failure at its 1897 premiere, leading to a profound neurosis from which he only recovered in 1900 after treatments by neurologist Dr. Nikolai Dahl.
Composition History
Rachmaninov's Fantasy 'The Rock', Op. 7, was composed in the summer of 1893 and is based on a story by Anton Chekhov, with its title and a verse quotation from a poem by Mikhail Lermontov.
You might also enjoy...
Brahms: Four-Hand Piano Music, Vol. 4
Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes for Piano 4-Hands
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 (Version for Piano 4 Hands)
Mahler: Symphony Nos. 6 & 7 (Arranged for Piano 4 Hands)
Schumann: Arrangements for Piano Duet, Vol. 3
Moscheles: Grande Sonate symphonique No. 2 in B Minor, Op. 112
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 & No. 1 (Original Versions for Piano Four Hands)
Naoumoff: Cinq valses pour piano
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Hommage à Bruno Walter
Brahms: Four-Hand Piano Music, Vol. 10
Goetz: Sonata for Piano 4 Hands in G Minor, Op. 17
