Piano Concerto No. 2 (Rachmaninoff)

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Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18, is a work in C minor for piano accompanied by orchestra, composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff between the autumn of 1900 and April 1901.[1] The second and third movements were first performed with the composer as soloist on 2 December 1900.[2] The complete work was premiered, again with the composer as soloist, on October 27, 1901,[3] with his cousin Alexander Siloti conducting.

This piece is one of his most enduringly popular pieces, and established his fame as a concerto composer.[4]

Contents

[edit] Background

Rachmaninoff in the early 1900s
Rachmaninoff in the early 1900s

At its 1897 premiere, Rachmaninoff's first symphony, though now considered a significant achievement, was derided by critics.[5] Compounded by problems in his personal life, Rachmaninoff fell into a depression that lasted for several years. His second piano concerto confirmed his recovery from clinical depression and writer's block. The concerto was dedicated to Nikolai Dahl, a physician who had done much to restore Rachmaninoff's self-confidence.[6]

[edit] Composition

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The work is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B♭ and A, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in B♭, 3 trombones (2 tenor, bass), tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, solo piano, and strings. It is written in a traditional, three-movement concerto form.[dubious – discuss]

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[edit] Moderato

First eight bars of the concerto
First eight bars of the concerto
Main theme first played by the violin section
Main theme first played by the violin section

The opening movement begins with a series of bell-like tollings on the piano that build tension, eventually climaxing in the introduction of the main theme. In this first section, the orchestra carries the russian-character melody while the piano makes an accompaniment made of arpeggios. After the statement of the long first theme, a quicker transition follows until the the more lyrical second theme, in E♭ major, is presented.

The agitated and unstable development borrows motives from both themes changing keys very often and giving the melody to different instruments while a new musical idea is slowly formed. The music builds in a huge climax as if the work was going to repeat the first bars of the work, but the recapitulation is going to be quite different.

While the orchestra restates the first theme, the piano, that in the other occasion had an accompaniment role, now plays the march-like theme that had been halfly presented in the development, thus making a considerable readjustment in the exposition, as the main theme, played by the orchestra has become an accompaniment. The rest of the recapitulation is quite literal.

[edit] Adagio sostenuto

The second movement opens with a series of slow chords in the strings which modulate from the C minor of the previous movement to the E major of this movement. The piano enters, playing a simple arpeggiated figure. A theme is introduced by the flute. The theme is passed between the piano and other soloists, before the music accelerates to a short piano-centered climax. The original theme is repeated, and the music appears to die away, finishing with just the soloist.

[edit] Allegro scherzando

The last movement opens with a short orchestral introduction that modulates from E (the key of the previous movement) to C, before a piano solo leads to the statement of the agitated first theme. The excitement dies away and a lyrical theme is introduced by the oboe and violas. This second theme is based on the first movement's second theme. After a long period of development the tension is built up considerably. Close to the end, Rachmaninoff restates the second theme in huge, climactic orchestration. After this, a fast coda draws the piece to a close.

[edit] In popular culture

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  • The concerto, especially the last movement, is mentioned favorably by the heroes of Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead.
  • The adagio sostenuto is the basis for the melodic theme of the 1976 pop/rock hit "All by Myself" by Eric Carmen.
  • The adagio sostenuto is also the basis for the popera song "Nostalgia" by Amici Forever.
  • The moderato theme is the basis for Frank Sinatra's "I think of you".
  • The allegro scherzando theme is the basis for Frank Sinatra's 1945 "Full Moon And Empty Arms".
  • The songs "Space Dementia", "Butterflies and Hurricanes", "Megalomania" and "Ruled by Secrecy" by the band Muse all contain quotes from the moderato.
  • In the movie The Seven Year Itch, Tom Ewell plays a recording of the concerto in the hopes that the passionate music will seduce Marilyn Monroe.
  • Other movies that mention the concerto are The World of Henry Orient; Center Stage; and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. It features prominently as the sound track to Brief Encounter. In September Affair (1950), Joan Fontaine plays a pianist who is preparing to perform the concerto; the music appears often throughout the film, and near the end, she plays the concerto. In Rhapsody (1954), it features prominently towards the end of the film, when one of the two leading men (played by John Ericson), who had been suffering from depression and alcoholism, performs it at a concert, thereby demonstrating that he has overcome his personal weaknesses.
  • The concerto was played by a character on the TV series Smallville.
  • The concerto was featured in Nodame Cantabile (anime and drama version), with the piano solo played by Shinichi Chiaki, and the orchestra conducted by Franz von Stresemann.
  • The concerto was background music in Harry's apartment in Spider-man 3.
  • The concerto was featured in the anime Gankutsuou, with the piano solo played by Eugenie Danglars
  • The adagio sostenuto and allegro scherzando movements appear during the second to last dance scene of the ballet movie Center Stage.
  • The flute from the adagio sostenuto is used often in the first OVA of the anime Samurai X.
  • The concerto is mentioned in "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium". The character played by Natalie Portman states that she was a child prodigy for her ability to play the aforementioned.

[edit] Media

[edit] Further reading

  • W.R. Anderson: Rachmaninov and his pianoforte concertos. A brief sketch of the composer and his style. London 1947
  • So-Ham Kim Chung: An analysis of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 in C Minor opus 18. Aids towards performance. Dissertation Ohio 1988

[edit] References

  1. ^ Harrison, Max (2006). Rachmaninoff: Life, Works, Recordings. London: Continuum, pp. 92–99. ISBN 0-8264-9312-2. 
  2. ^ Classy Classical: Rachmaninoff's Works for Piano and Orchestra
  3. ^ Classy Classical: Rachmaninoff's Works for Piano and Orchestra
  4. ^ Norris, Geoffrey (1993). The Master Musicians: Rachmaninoff. New York City: Schirmer Books, 113-115. ISBN 0-02-870685-4. 
  5. ^ Steinberg, Michael (1998). The Concerto. Oxford University Press, 357. ISBN 0-19-513931-3. 
  6. ^ Steinberg, Michael (1998). The Concerto. Oxford University Press, 358. ISBN 0-19-513931-3. 

[1] [2] [3]

[edit] External links

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Piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff