Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 - Moments Musicaux, Op. 16
9/1/2008, 9 Tracks, 1:04:33
Featuring
Kirill Petrenko
Dejan Lazić
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Did you know?
1/7
Composition History
Rachmaninov's First Symphony premiere in 1897 was a 'total fiasco' due to the conductor Alexander Glazunov, who was likely intoxicated.
Compositional Technique
The Second Piano Concerto, dedicated to Dr. Nikolai Dahl, was never revised after its first performance, indicating the ease and freshness with which Rachmaninov composed it.
Composer Biography
After the failure of his First Symphony, Rachmaninov sank into a deep depression and stopped composing for three years, believing he was 'unfitted for it'.
Critical Reception
Composer Cesar Cui, a member of the 'Mighty Handful' group, critically called Rachmaninov's First Symphony the work of a student trying to depict the Seven Plagues of Egypt.
Performer Biography
Pianist Dejan Lazic was born in Zagreb, Croatia, and studied at the 'Mozarteum' in Salzburg.
Recording & Production
The London Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1932 by Sir Thomas Beecham, has recorded soundtracks for blockbuster films like 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy.
Composition History
Rachmaninov dedicated his Second Piano Concerto to Dr. Nikolai Dahl, a pioneer of psychiatry in Russia, whose hypnotism sessions helped him overcome his creative despair.
You might also enjoy...
Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G Minor & Poetic Tone Pictures
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2; Two Preludes - The Mercury Masters, Vol. 1
Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 2 - Theme and variations - Piano pieces
Godowsky: Java Suite (The Royal Academy of Music Bicentenary Series)
Robert Neumann plays Pictures at an Exhibition
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87 - Vol. II, Nos 13 to 24
Piano Concerto No. 3, Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
