This volume from the Boosey Masterworks Series contains a mix of orchestral and vocal works. The Five Etudes Tableaux were orchestrated by the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi from a selection of the composer's Opp. 33 and 39. Symphonic Dances (Op. 45) was the last composition Rachmaninoff ever wrote while Vocalise is the last in Op. 34 a collection of 14 Romances.Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer and pianist who was able to push the boundaries of virtuosic Piano composition through his incredible skills as a performer. Through hisrich textures and expressiveness he is often seen as the last great member if not the pinnacle of the European Romantic movement.