Progetto Martha Argerich

italiano

Works

Sergey Rachmaninov

“Russian” Rhapsody

 

The catalogue of Sergei Rachmaninov’s compositions for two pianos contains only three works: the Suites Nos. 1 and 2, written in 1893 and 1901, respectively, and the “Russian” Rhapsody that is part of today’s programme and is the earliest of the three, having been composed in January 1891. The previous month, Rachmaninov had gone to St. Petersburg to attend a performance of Tchaikovsky’s new opera, The Queen of Spades; filled with enthusiasm, he returned to Moscow and began working hard on a new piece, the “Russian” Rhapsody for two pianos, which was completed within a couple of weeks. Rachmaninov hoped to play the piece together with his friend Leonid Maksimov in a concert at the Moscow Conservatory, but Zverev, the conservatory’s director, did not grant permission – thus the piece was not performed in public until the following October, by Rachmaninov and Josef Lhévinne.

listen to Real Media recording

1. Moderato – Cadenza – Vivace – Meno mosso
2. Andante – Con moto – Tempo I (meno mosso)

Performers

Performance