Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30 & Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 5 "Fantaisie-tableaux"

Featuring

Christopher Seaman
Sequeira Costa
Artur Pizarro
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergei Rachmaninoff

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Composer Biography

Following the failed premiere of his first symphony in 1897, Rachmaninov suffered a deep depression and a two-year compositional block, which was treated with psychotherapy and hypnotherapy by Dr. Nicolai Dahl.

Critical Reception

The Piano Concerto No. 3 is known for its extreme difficulty, with pianist Gary Graffman reportedly wishing he had learned it as a student, 'when he was still too young to know fear'.

Cultural Impact

The Piano Concerto No. 3 achieved its status as one of the most popular piano concertos of the 20th century thanks to the interest shown by Vladimir Horowitz, a renowned pianist.

Composition History

Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3, completed in 1909, premiered in New York with the composer as soloist and was later performed under the baton of Gustav Mahler.

Composer's Artistic Vision

A theory suggests that Dr. Nicolai Dahl's hypnotic suggestions encouraged Rachmaninov to focus on writing music that critics might enjoy, leading to a new form of popular creativity.

Compositional Technique

Rachmaninov's Suite No. 1 for two pianos, also known as 'Fantaisie-Tableaux', is unusual because it was never orchestrated by the composer or his colleagues, despite containing elements suitable for an orchestral work.