Classical Works: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), in A minor for piano & orchestra, Op. 43
Review
The last of
Paganini 's 24 Caprices for violin has been the subject of many sets of variations, including the composer's own set of 12,
Brahms ' brilliant Paganini Variations for piano, those by twentieth century composers Lutoslawski, Blacher, Lloyd-Webber, and others. But the best-known off-shoot of this Caprice is
Rachmaninov 's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, not least because one of its variations -- the 18th -- has become more famous than the
Paganini tune it is based on.
The Rhapsody was one of
Rachmaninov 's last compositions; however, it has little in common with the handful of works from the composer's last two decades. The Corelli Variations (1931), for piano, and the Piano Concerto No. 4 (1926; rev. 1941) display a colder, more modernistic
Rachmaninov , while the Rhapsody harkens back to the passionate, post-Romantic world of the 1909 Third Piano Concerto. Also unusual is that, while the composer's output was paltry in his later years, this piece was finished in a mere month and a half, from July 3 to August 18, 1934.
With three discernible sections, the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini resembles the fast-slow-fast movement structure of a piano concerto. Variations 11 through 18 serve as the slow movement, with the preceding and following groups representing the outer movements.
The work opens with an introduction that contains elements of
Paganini 's melody. There follows the first variation which states the theme, largely in the strings, the piano playing just single notes from the melodic line. The piano takes over in the next variation and shares the spotlight with the orchestra in numbers three through five, all of which are lively and light in mood. With the sixth variation, the tempo slows but the piano remains playful. The seventh brings on a drastic change, introducing what has become a trademark of
Rachmaninov 's major compositions: the Dies Irae theme, from the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead; it appears in the next three variations as well. Some have suggested that this allusion to the biblical "day of wrath," while a feature of many of the composer's works, was here also a nod to the nineteenth century legend that the transcendentally gifted
Paganini had bargained his soul to the Devil in exchange for his talents.
The 11th variation, as mentioned above, is the beginning of what serves as a slow movement; here the music is ethereal and subdued, remaining so until the fiery 13th, which is then gives way to a pair of more brilliant variations. The lively 15th variation is followed by a markedly subdued 16th and 17th in order to prepare for the climactic 18th, which offers one of the composer's most memorable themes;
Rachmaninov surely could have used it in another work without the least suspicion of its relationship to
Paganini .
The final "movement" begins with the 19th variation, which is somewhat academic-sounding. The next variations offer more color, though darker elements begin creeping in again with No. 22, which builds up to its finish in a way not unlike the finales of the Second Symphony and Third Piano Concerto. The next variation recalls parts of the
Paganini theme closely and leads to the dramatic conclusion -- a powerful and ominous, if glitzy, restatement of the Dies Irae theme by the piano and orchestra.
A typical performance of the Rhapsody lasts about 25 minutes.
Rachmaninov premiered it on November 7, 1934, in Baltimore, with
Leopold Stokowski conducting. ~ All Music Guide
Albums with Complete Performances of the Work
Maestro Celebre, Vol. 2 (Box Set) 2002 Panorama: Sergei Rachmaninov 2000 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos; Paganini Rhapsody Rachmaninov: Orchestral Works 2002 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto 4/Paganini Rhapsody 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 2001 Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Recordings 1992 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1996 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4 2002 Rachmaninov Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am; Sonata for piano No2 Rachmaninov: His Complete Recordings 2005 Queen Elizabeth Music Competition Vol. 5 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2/Paganini Rhapsody 1997 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini 1991 Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto Nos. 2 & 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2004 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos (Complete); Paganini Rhapsody John Barry: Somewhere in Time 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody 1994 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain; Chopin: Grande Polonaise 1997 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2001 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4; Paganini Rhapsody 2000 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am; Symphony No1 1996 The Royal Edition, No. 43 Of 100: Liszt/Rachmaninov/Ravel 1992 Van Cliburn in Moscow 1994 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2 1994 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.1/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1987 Rachmaninov: The Complete Symphonies & Piano Concertos 2001 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am; Concerto for piano in Dm Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits 2000 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Variations 1996 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini [SACD] 2001 Chopin: Concerto No.1/Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini 1988 Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos; Paganini Rhapsody 2004 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 35 1999 Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1984 Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1990 Anthology of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Vol. 4: Live, The Radio Recordings, 1970-1980 2006 Wedding & Romantic Favorites You Love 2006 Rachmaninov: Concerto No.2/Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini 1985 The Best Of Rachmaninoff 1993 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 1-4; Paganini Variations; Etc. [Box Set] 2006 Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff 1994 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2003 100 Classical Masterpieces (Box Set) 1998 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition Of Belgium 1951-2001 (Box Set) Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Five Etudes-Tableaux 1993 Rachmaninov: The Four Piano Concertos 1990 Rachmaninoff for a Rainy Day 2001 Peter Rösel plays Various Piano Concertos 2005 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Variations on a Theme of Corelli; Variations on a Theme of Chopin 2004 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody 2005 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4 1999 Homage To Victor De Sabata Piano Classics You Love 2006 Paganini Variations 1992 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 1-4 2006 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1996 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Paganini Rhapsody 1993 Favourite Rachmaninov 1992 Leon Fleisher Plays Copland, Liszt, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Ravel 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto 2/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1999 Rachmaninov: Concertos pour piano 1 & 4 100 Classical Masterpieces, Vol. 5 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Paganini Rhapsody 2001 Casella: Partita; Respighi: Toccata; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1991 Piano Concerto No.2-Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini 1985 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini/Vocalise 1994 William Kapell Edition (Box Set) 1998 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini/Piano Concerto No.3 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Khachaturian: Piano Concerto; Chopin: Rachmaninov: Complete Piano Concertos; Paganini Rhapsody 2007 Berlin Gala: Salute to Carmen 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2005 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1995 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1996 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody 1999 Rachmaninov: Concerto for piano in Cm; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am Romantic Classics 1993 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, etc. 1996 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2005 Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 2) (Box Set) 1999 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerti 1-4 / Rhapsody On Theme Of Paganini 1999 Great Pianists of the 20th Century: The Complete Edition (Box 1) (Box Set) 1999 Rakhmaninov: Piano Concertos 1-4; Symphonies 1-3; Orchestral Works 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos nos. 1 & 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2001 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am; Ravel: Miroirs 1983 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18/Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43 1994 Great Piano Concertos 2003 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody [Hybrid SACD] 2005 Oleg Volkov Plays Rachmaninov Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2006 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1987 Rachmaninov:Concerto Nos. 1 & 4/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1994 Rachmaninov: Great Works for Solo Piano & Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2001 Sergey Rachmaninov: 4 Piano Concertos/Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1987 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini/Concerto For Piano & Orchestra A Rachmaninoff Weekend Classical Music Around the World, Vol. 1: Russia 1996 The Virtuoso Pianolist 1999 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto / Paganini Rhapsody Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Bernstein: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1990 The Rubinstein Collection (Limited Edition) [Box Set] 1999 Famous Piano Concertos (Box Set) 1996 Julius Katchen 2 1999 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos No. 2 & 3; Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 2002 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2000 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini / Piano Concerto No.2 1999 Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [Box Set] 1999 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody 2003 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini/Piano Concerto No. 1 1995 Rachmaninoff: Complete Works for Piano & Orchestra 1990 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1989 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini [Hybrid SACD] 2003 Addinsell; Rachmaninov; Shostakovich Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Paganini Variations 1998 Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances 1995 Music from the Films / Film Encores The Art of Lang Lang 2007 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor/Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini William Kapell 1999 Celebrate Rachmaninov 1998 Rachmaninov: Piano Music (Box Set) Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos 25 Mellow Piano Favorites 2004 De Falla: Nights In The Gardens Of Spain/Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini/Tchaikovsky: Concerto For Piano Maestro Celebre, Vol. 2: R. Strauss, Bloch, McDonald, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich 2002 Romantic Classics: Timeless Love Songs Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2003 Rachmaninov: Concerto for piano in Cm; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am 1996 The Essential Collection: Mantovani 2007 Monique de la Bruchollerie, Vol. 1 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am; Concerto for piano in Dm Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium: Rachmaninoff 1999 Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1998 Rachmaninov: Paganini Variations; Respighi: Toccata; Casella: Partita 2006 Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 9 1999 Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1993 Rachmaninov: Complete Piano Concertos; Rhapsody 2002 Sergi Rachmaninoff: Concertos Nos. 1 & 4/Rhapsody, Op. 43 1990 Rachmaninov: Concerto for piano in Cm; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am 1991 Rachmaninov:Concerto No.2/Rhapsody on a Theme Of Paganini 1990 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1988 Schumann: Piano Concerto; Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini 2002 Rachmaninov Plays Rachmaninov Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos; Paganini Rhapsody [Hybrid SACD] 2004 Karel Ancerl á. Amsterdam, Vol.2 1997 Mikhail Rudy Plays Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky (Box Set) 2000 Passion (Box Set) 2003 Unforgettable Classics: Romance 1997 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini/Tchaikovsky: Waltz/Romeo And Juliet/Borodin: Polovtsian Dances The Complete Rachmaninov Recordings 1937-43 1995 De Falla: Nights In The Gardens Of Spain/Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini,Op.43/Tchaikovsky: Piano Concer Rhapsody: Gershwin & Rachmaninov 2000 Classical Favorites from the Harp 2007 Surround Yourself with Rakhmaninov [DVD Video + DVD Audio] 2004 Rachmanonoff: Rhapsody,Op.43/Piano Concerto,Op.18/Dohnányi: Variations,Op.25 1995 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1994 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, etc. Sacred Cello Ferenc Fricsay: A Life in Music 2003 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1984 Passion, Vol. 16: Rachmaninov - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 2003 Essential Rachmaninov 2002 Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in Am; Isle of the Dead Op29 Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 1988 Serge Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4/Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini 1993 Rachmaninov: The 4 Piano Concertos 1996 Rachmaninov: Klavierkonzert Nr. 2; Paganini-Rhapsodie 1988
Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work
CBS Masterworks Dinner Classics: Romance 1992 Russian Romantic Fantasy 1997 Great Movie Love Themes 2002 Classical Jukebox, Vol. 1 1989 100 Relaxing Classic 1999 25 Classical Favorites Sensual Classics 1997 Sci-Fi 2000 Favourite Love Classics The Great Rachmaninov 1997 The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever! 1997 The Melody Shop 1998 Rachmaninoff In Hollywood 1997 Greatest Classical Melodies Classical Daydreams 1997 Heavenly Harp 2003 The #1 Adagios Album Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini 2005 50 Ultimate Classical Favorites 2005 Russia across the Steppes For the One You Love: The World's Favorite Romantic Melodies 2001 The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World...Ever! 2000 Jana Bousková Plays Virtuoso Encores 2002 Breathe: Relaxing Music from the Movies 2006 These You Have Loved The Movie Album 2006 Bernstein: The Encore Collection, Vol. 3 1988 Classics Elegance 1997 500 Classic Masterpieces 1992 Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits 1999 Perfect Romance 2005 Best Classical Album of the Millennium 1999 Paganini's Dreams 1998 Relaxing Piano Roses & Solitude 1996 50 Piano & Guitar Favorites 2005 Rachmaninov for Romance: Passionate Music for Love and Desire 1995 Russian Romantic Fantasy The Classic Love Album Classical Passion, Vol. 1 1998 Classics Remembered The Art of Ashkenazy 1999 From Katya...With Love...Katya Gríneva: Solo Piano 1995 A Classical Weekend 75 Greatest Classics, Vol. 4 (Box Set) 1998 Rubinstein Adagios 101 Great Orchestral Classics, Vol. 10 1991 Award Winning Movie Classics 1995 Tesh: Classical Music for an Intimate Mood 2000 The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever! 1995 Famous Classical Themes from the Movies 1997 Best-Loved Classics 8 1997 Classics of the Silver Screen 1990 Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits 1994 A Bride's Guide to Wedding Music 2002 Vengerov 2004 Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Classical Music But Were Afraid To Ask 1992 Movies: Greatest Hits 1994 Unforgettable Summer Classics 1999 The Instruments Of The Orchestra Romantic Classics 2003 Set Your Life to Music: For the Times of Your Life 1995 The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World... Ever! 1997 Violin Miniatures 1989 The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the World...Ever! 2005 The Most Unforgettable Piano Classics Ever 1995 Movie Classics Classical Chillout, Vol. 2 World's Greatest Piano Melodies 1999 The Yellow Guide-Classical Music 250 Years of Great Music: From Bach to Bernstein 1992 Russian Romantic Fantasy 1997 Pianoforte, Opus 1: Popular Requests 1994 The Best of Rachmaninoff 2003 Romantic Classics 2005 Greatest Hits - The Piano, Vol. III 1989 For Your Dreams 2002 The Most Famous Movie Classics 1994 Virtuoso Harp Encores 1998 Romantic Adagios 1999 Adagio Paradiso: Romantic Movie Themes for the Lover in You 2002 Classics go Hollywood 1993 Everlasting Love For the Hopeless Romantic 2005 World's Most Beautiful Melodies-By Moonlight 1989 Twentieth Century 1991 Romantic Classics: A Sensual Collection 2003 Romantic Piano Favourites (Box Set) 1994 Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin Op24; Swan Lake Op20 1989 Greatest Hits - Tchaikovksy, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Liszt 1995 The Ultimate Relaxation Collection (Box Set) 2003 Classics at the Movies 1991 Classics Collection: Sergei Rachmaninov 2000 Concerto 1985 50 Classical Performances: Ultimate 2002 The Rachmaninoff Collection 2006 Unforgettable Classics: Love 1998 Classical Passion 1994 Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music 1994 100 Masterpieces of Classical Music, Vol. 4 Super Audio CD Sampler [Hybrid SACD] 2003 In Classical Mood: Passion 1998 The Best of Rachmaninov 2007 Classical Jukebox, Vol.II 1989 Romantic Piano 2001 Bouquet of Film Classics Ultimate Classic Performances 2003 Idiot's Guide to Classical Music 1995 Rachmaninoff for Relaxation 2001 Classical Music 101 2004 Chill with Rachmaninov 2001 75 Greatest Classics, Vol. 1 (Box Set) 1998 Classical Music for Love 2000 The Ultimate Relaxing Classical Collection 1999 Unforgettable Classics: Relaxing Piano 1998 Classical Heartbreakers: The Most Moving Classical Music of All Time 2003 100 Best Piano Classics 2006 My Figure Skating Album Piano Concertos & Rhapsodies 1996 A Summer Serenade Chardonnay Classics 2004 John Bayless: The Movie Album: Classical Pictures 1996 100 Best Classics 2006 Classical Jukebox 1995 More Classics at the Movies 1994 Wine Country Classics 1998 Classical Legends 2002 A Scientific Dream and a French Kiss 1998 Breathe: The Relaxing Piano 2005 It's A Girl!: Baby's First Classical 2003 José Carreras Piano: Greatest Hits 2004 Family Circle Romantic Classics 1996 The Best of Rachmaninov 1997 25 Piano Favorites 1996 The Best of Naxos, Vol. 4 1991 Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits 2003 The Most Unforgettable Russian Classics Ever 2000 Romancing the Screen 2003 20 Classical Heartbreakers 2004 Joan Kennedy's The Joy of Classical Music 1992 The Very Best of Rachmaninov 2005 Gateway To Classical Music: Volume 1/Volume 2 1994 Enjoy the Classics: Best of Naxos (Box Set) 1992 Instruments Of The Orchestra-Keyboard Love Me Tonight: Dreams of Passion and Romance (Box Set) 1999 Piano Pops 1999 Bouquet Of Film Classics Sensual Classics, Disc 4 1997 101 Strings with Piano 1996 Piano Favorites 1996 Classical Erotica 1996 Classic Romance 3 2000 Leonard Bernstein-Nocturne Bach Spectacular / The Romantic Rachmaninoff The Very Best of Relaxing Classics 2003 Best Classics 100 [DVD Video] 2006 Romantic Favorites 1989 The Wedding Album 2001 For a Day in Your Life (Box Set) 2002 Greatest Hits: Romance 1995 101 Famous Classical Masterpieces, Vols. 1-5 Whad'ya Know About Rakhmaninoff 1998 Somewhere in Time: Classical Favorites 2000 Peace: Pure Classical Calm 2005 Movie Classics 1996 Great Classical Highlights 2006 Gateway To Classical Music: The Twentieth Century 1996 The All-Time Greatest Pianists Romantic Classics You Love 2005 Rhapsody 1998 Best Classics 100 2004 Best Loved Classics 8 Romantic Piano Favourites, Vol. 10 Rachmaninov & Schumann 1996 The World's Most Beautiful Melodies: Moonlight Classics 1989 Straight From The Street 1994 The Listen to the Band Collection: Reflections for Brass 1997 Rachmaninov Goes to the Movies 1997 Classical Piano You Love 2005 Ultimate Relaxation Album 2001 Piano: Greatest Hits 2000
