Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 & Études-tableaux, Op. 33

Featuring

Carlos Miguel Prieto
Boris Giltburg
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Sergei Rachmaninoff

Did you know?

1/7

Composer's Artistic Vision

Rachmaninov found the quiet country atmosphere of Ivanovka, his summer residence for nearly 30 years, very productive for composing, often spending summers there in intense creative periods.

Composition History

Rachmaninov dedicated his Piano Concerto No. 2 to Dr. Dahl, a hypnotherapist who helped him overcome depression and an inability to compose after the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony.

Composer Biography

Rachmaninov's transcription of 'Polka de W. R.' was long thought to be an original composition, but the tune was actually written by Franz Behr, a German composer of salon pieces, and named after Rachmaninov's father, Wassily Rachmaninov.

Composition History

Out of the nine Études-tableaux, Op. 33 originally planned, Rachmaninov withdrew three from publication at the last moment, though the publisher's title page still showed all nine.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The sound of church bells left a strong impression on Rachmaninov as a child and became an integral part of his musical language, appearing throughout his works.