Rachmaninov

[Will Kirk]

What do you think of him and his music?

[idealist]

Originally Posted by Sor Is My Hero

What do you think of him and his music?

What can you say about Rachmaninov.
For me, Rachmaninov is one of the greatest russian composers in 20th century. His works are milestones in Piano works in combination with or without orchestras.
His 3rd Piano Concerto is for me one of the best piano concertos I know.
Especially the performances with Vladimir Horowitz (the late performance) or with Rachmaninov himself playing his concerto are unbelievable.
Further fantastic works of him are his Paganini Variations for Piano and Orchestra as well as his 3rd symphony and "The Bells" for Choire and Orchestra. But the other works have all an very high level.
Very interesting is his biography. In Russia he had several problems with the premiere of his 1st piano concerto, he became depressive and gave up composing for several years. After help of a friend of him (Nikolaj Dahl a psychiatrist) he composed his 2nd Piano Concerto which was the break through. Some reviewers said his music is a mixture and copy of Tschaikovsky etc. - I don't think so, in my eyes they didn't understand the message of this ambivalent composer who was often distupted between perfectionism and tragic, but also idealistic melodies.
Especially the "Dies Irae" in his works are bringing a very emotional athmosphere I like very much.
His style reflects for me the Russian Soul, perfection in combination with epic themes and wide orchestral parts - Fantastic. He is a main part of one of the greatest cultures (=Russia) in Classical Music.

[Will Kirk]

Originally Posted by idealist

What can you say about Rachmaninov.
For me, Rachmaninov is one of the greatest russian composers in 20th century. His works are milestones in Piano works in combination with or without orchestras.
His 3rd Piano Concerto is for me one of the best piano concertos I know.
Especially the performances with Vladimir Horowitz (the late performance) or with Rachmaninov himself playing his concerto are unbelievable.
Further fantastic works of him are his Paganini Variations for Piano and Orchestra as well as his 3rd symphony and "The Bells" for Choire and Orchestra. But the other works have all an very high level.
Very interesting is his biography. In Russia he had several problems with the premiere of his 1st piano concerto, he became depressive and gave up composing for several years. After help of a friend of him (Nikolaj Dahl a psychiatrist) he composed his 2nd Piano Concerto which was the break through. Some reviewers said his music is a mixture and copy of Tschaikovsky etc. - I don't think so, in my eyes they didn't understand the message of this ambivalent composer who was often distupted between perfectionism and tragic, but also idealistic melodies.
Especially the "Dies Irae" in his works are bringing a very emotional athmosphere I like very much.
His style reflects for me the Russian Soul, perfection in combination with epic themes and wide orchestral parts - Fantastic. He is a main part of one of the greatest cultures (=Russia) in Classical Music.

What's funny when Rachmaninov first heard Horowitz play his 3rd piano concerto, he said that Horowitz played it better than he himself did!

But I love the 3rd, the 1st is great too, but the second... ehhh

[ttw]

Rachmaninov is one of my favorites. His music is much more complexly written than it appears. Lots of little counterpoint stuff going on. It keeps things moving.

[Majesty]

I love a lot of Rachmaninov's music. Very soulful stuff. My two favorite pieces Rach pieces are his Variations on a Theme by Paganini and his Vespers.

[oisfetz]

Sergey is remembered for his piano and symphonic works, but his chamber
compositions are also valuables.His 2 piano trios,cello sonata and the 2
short string quartets, plus some short pieces for cello and piano and for
violin and piano, should be better know and heard IMO

[kenm]

Originally Posted by idealist

[...]Further fantastic works of him are his Paganini Variations for Piano and Orchestra as well as his 3rd symphony and "The Bells" for Choire and Orchestra.[...]

I'm delighted that someone else prefers the 3rd symphony to the 2nd; I thought I was in a minority of one. The Symphonic Dances are also very fine.

[MaestroX]

Rachmaninoff was a great piano player, but he always felt that his compositions stood in the shadow of his virtuosic self. I often imagine, in fear, what little music would be left to be written had Rachmaninoff devoted more energy to composition.

Rachmaninoff's piano compositions have pashed the antelope, it is true, but he definately did much grander things with the orchestra. I think he felt that it had less boundaries, and found it to be a much more flexible medium on which to work.

I mean, that is my interpretation of his symphonic works. The orchestra in his piano concierti generally assumed more of a secondary role, perhaps even compared with Liszt.

[bassistah]

Pashed the antelope?! The mind boggles...

Listen to Symphonic dances then to the score of Batman the movie.. spooky.

Rachmaninov is pure cheese. Nice in small doses but you can´t take it too seriously. Schmaltz at its best.

[Will Kirk]

Originally Posted by bassistah

Pashed the antelope?! The mind boggles...

What?