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 in December 1900. The complete work was premiered, again with the composer as soloist, on
October 27, 1901, with his cousin Alexander Siloti conducting.
This piece is one of his most enduringly popular pieces, and established his fame as a concerto composer.[2]
History
Background
At its 1897 premiere Rachmaninoff's first symphony, though now considered a significant achievement, was derided by critics. 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, Rachmaninoff's physician.
Reception
Present day
No.2 is now one of the most popular piano concertos worldwide, and is performed often. Multiple recordings exist, featuring pianists such as Van Cliburn, Arthur Rubinstein, Yefim Bronfman, Byron Janis, Sviatoslav Richter, Alexis Weissenberg, Hélène Grimaud, Philippe Entremont, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Evgeny Kissin, Lang Lang, Chuan Li, Benno Moiseiwitsch, Stephen Hough, Krystian Zimerman as well as the composer himself.
Arrangements of the first or second movement have been used in the routines of several notable figure skaters, including Sasha Cohen, Fumie Suguri, Mishkutenok/Dmitriev, Jeffrey Buttle, and Chen Lu.
Score and instrumentation
The work is scored for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B-flat and A, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in B-flat, 3 trombones (2 tenor, bass), tuba, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, solo piano, and strings. It is written in a traditional, three-movement concerto form:
Moderato
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. At the climax of the movement the theme is transformed into a march.
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, climaxing with a piano cadenza. The original theme is repeated, and the music appears to die away, finishing with just the soloist.
Allegro Scherzando
The last movement opens with a short orchestral introduction before a piano cadenza leads to the statement of the agitated first theme. The excitement dies away and a lyrical theme is introduced by the oboe. After a long period of development the tension is built up considerably by a brilliant piano cadenza. The second theme erupts in a huge orchestration, leading to a fast coda to draw the piece to a close.
In popular culture
- 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 allegro scherzando theme is the basis for Frank Sinatra's 1945 "Full Moon And Empty Arms".
- The songs "Space Dementia", "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; Rhapsody; 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.
- 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.
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
References
- ^ Harrison, Max (2006). Rachmaninoff: Life, Works, Recordings. London: Continuum, pp. 92–99. ISBN 0-8264-9312-2.
- ^ Norris, Geoffrey (1993). The Master Musicians: Rachmaninoff. New York City: Schirmer Books, 113-115. ISBN 0-02-870685-4.
- ^ Schirmer, G (1996). Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 (Orchestra reduction for second piano). Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 101-163. ISBN 0-486-29114-6.
- ^ Yungkans, Jonathan (2001-03-14). The Second Piano Concerto. The Flying Inkpot. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
- ^ Kuenning, Geoff (2000). Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. Symphony of the Canyons. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
External links
- Piano Concerto No. 2: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
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