Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2 Op.18: Piano: Instrumental Work

The Boosey Masterworks Library is a truly fantastic collection of popular works from the orchestral repertoire presented in clearly notated and meticulously documented scores.This volume presents the full orchestral score of Rachmainov’s first two piano concertos which remain ever popular in the concert pianist’s repertoire the second piano concerto even more so. The first two piano concertos frame a prolonged period of self-examination and doubt in Rachmaninov’s life his earlier works were not received with great acclaim. However his resurgence as a composer on the international concert platform was brought about by his composition of thePiano Concerto No.2 in C Minor Op.18 which since its first performance remains one of the most important and popular works in the repertoire. This full orchestral score is a wonderful resource for study and perusal purposes and is clearly presented making it easy to read and follow.Note that the revised version (written in 1917) of the first piano concerto is that which is presented in this score.

Rachmaninov premiered the Piano Concerto No. 3 Op. 30 in New York with the New York Symphony Orchestra led by Walter Damrosch on November 28 1909. The following January he played it with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gustav Mahler. This a deep work which is full of virtuosic hurdles and lengthy cadenzas. Today this concerto carries the nickname of Rach 3 and has become the most popular choice among piano competition candidates wanting to perform a virtuoso display piece. This particular work is a reduction for two pianos.

2nd Movement-Transcription of the slow movement of Rachmaninov's First Piano Concerto op 1. Programme note by Murray McLachlan: Rachmaninov's first concerto in F sharp minor op 1 was composed in 1891 and dedicated to Alexander Siloti. The work was substantially revised in 1917 with textures made much lighter. The revised version is also more concentrated and disciplined with the material eliminating some of the earlier episodic sections entirely from the score. The second movement is an exquisite 74 bar miniature a nostalgic nocturne that is contrapuntally rich. In this soloversion the use of all three pedals and the middle pedal in particular make it possible to project the multifaceted textures the 'colour counter-point' that along with Rachmaninov's chromaticism enhances his considerable melodic gifts. Was Rachmaninov the 'Russian Bach?' Certainly his genius for 'inner voices' 'inner melodies' and counter-melodies make his music an inexhaustible treasure house of possibility for the creatively charged solo pianist. In Rachmaninov's piano writing there is simply no such thing as 'padding' or anonymous accompaniments- every line can be vocally or orchestrally charged making the music glow with richness and inspiration. This transcription was given its world premiere on April 1- Rachmaninov's birthday- in 2017 in New York as part of a recital for the Lezetizky society. Further performances were given on what was an intense US Easter tour in Washington Texas Boston and Vermont. I've also performed the transcription in Canada and the UK.

Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics Vol. 2127-Three of the most beloved Romantic piano concertos are now available in one volume: Schumann's Concerto in A minor Op. 54; Grieg's Concerto in A minor Op. 16; and Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18. Theorchestra parts for transcribed for a second piano making these ideal for private study or preparation for competitions. Two copies are necessary for performance.

Concerto no. 2 in c minor op. 18 for Piano and Orchestra-Rachmaninoff???s legendary Opus 18 often lovingly referred to as Rach 2 ??? is for many the epitome of the Romantic piano concerto. Following its acclaimed premiere in Moscow in 1901 it proved to be a show-stopper around the globe finally helping cement Rachmaninoff???s international reputation as a composer. To this day the concerto???s enchanting themes and elegiac melodies in the strings are considered the trademark of Rachmaninoff indeed of Russian music in general. For the first Urtext edition of this pivotal work we were able to examine the original autograph score in Moscow???s Glinka Museum. Rachmaninoff???s own sound recordings were also consulted. The newly prepared pianoreduction ensures good playability: it accords exactly with the also newly edited orchestral score and parts. Both of these are available from Breitkopf and H?rtel.