Transcript Rachmaninoff*s *Prelude in C# Minor

Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Rachmaninoff
• Sergei Rachmaninoff (18731943) was a Russian virtuoso
pianist & composer.
• He is considered one of the
best pianists that ever lived
& a major link between
the Romantic & Modern
periods.
• He was 6’6” and his hands
were so big he could play 1 ½ octaves with each hand!
• He is best known for his 4 piano concertos, his Rhapsody on a
Theme of Paganini, 3 symphonies, various solo piano pieces,
and his Russian Orthodox liturgical work, All-Night Vigil.
Sergei Rachmaninoff
• Rachmaninoff was born into a poor,
aristocratic family. He met many famous
Russians including Tchaikovsky & Tolstoy.
• He became well-known as a composer of
piano and orchestra works.
• In 1917 he was forced to escape Russia
during the Bolshivik Revolution.
• He moved his family to New York &
began a career as a virtuoso pianist,
performing in concerts non-stop & recording records of his
works.
• He music has remained very popular since it was written, but
only a limited amount of people can play it well.
Rachmaninoff’s Music
• His music was famous its brutal
power, along with passionate
melodies & harmonies that
included dissonance.
• However, while other composers
started using atonality and other
avant-gard techniques, Rachmaninoff ‘s music remained Romantic.
• Rachmaninoff’s music is considered very difficult both
technically and emotionally to play right.
• Some of the strong influences heard in his music include the
church bells and traditional Orthodox church chant he heard
in Moscow.
Famous Musical Works
• Prelude in C# Minor
– http://youtu.be/3IlDxUyQVB0
• Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto (Rach 3)
– Beginning: http://youtu.be/_PKLLS0uO7U?t=24s
– Highlights: http://youtu.be/ATrltKaxPbc
• “Bogoroditse Devo” from All Night Vigil
– http://youtu.be/rKz5euH8rcA