165 "I rewrote my first concerto and now it is at a very good level," Rachmaninov said of the new version. "The youthful sparkle is present in it, and it now plays much more easily but no one really notices. When I tell them, in America, that I will perform the First Concerto, they don't protest, but I can see on their faces that they prefer me to play the Second or Third Concerto." There are three movements. Adolescent passion is especially evident at the beginning of the first movement after the opening fanfare, with the piano erupting in a series of chords and octaves in both hands. Rachmaninov makes use of sounds recalling Russian bells ringing - one of his favorite motifs. Next comes the main theme, lyrical and melancholic, and the second theme is ebullient in nature. Towards the end of the movement, a long piano solo brims with fervor. The second movement, the Andante, is a kind of lyrical, dreamy nocturne, a respite before the tumultuous finale, with its wild main theme in varying rhythms and a virtuoso second theme. Rapid chords bring the dramatic movement to an exciting end. Concerto No. 2 in C Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 18 Moderato Adagio sostenuto Allegro scherzando Rachmaninov composed the Second Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in 1900, after suffering a severe career crisis as a composer following the failure of his First Symphony in St. Petersburg in 1897. He believed he was no longer fit to compose, tried to concentrate on his career both as a concert pianist and as a conductor, became involved in an affair that ended badly and even began to drink excessively. By the end of 1899 he was addicted to alcohol and his hands were shaking, endangering his career as a pianist. On the advice of his family, he approached Dr. Nikolai Dahl, an expert in "neuro-psychotherapy", who began to treat him Intensively through hypnosis – in order to release him from the grip of deep depression. He received an invitation from London to write a new piano concerto and following the treatments he was able partially to overcome the creative block and begin composing the work that would make him one of the most successful and well-known composers. The Second Concerto is dedicated to his physician Dr. Dahl in gratitude. It premiered on November 9, 1901, with Rachmaninov at the piano and Alexander Siloti conducting the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. The first movement was composed only after the other two. It opens with piano chords, which gradually intensify and lead directly to the familiar main melancholic theme. The second theme is dreamy and romantic. Rachmaninov introduces various effects leading to the brilliant coda. The second, slow movement, is in E Major, full of tender longing and optimism. After the orchestra’s brief opening, the piano presents the main theme in arpeggios (broken chords). Subsequently, the piano and orchestra lead the development section, culminating in a short cadenza, after which the first lyrical theme repeats, until the calm ending. The third movement is in C major; after a short rhythmic motif by the orchestra, the piano enters with great fervor and leads to the first dance theme, full of brilliance and artifice. This is followed by the second lyrical theme, which is also one of Rachmaninov's most recognizable melodies. After transitional sections and the development section, the first theme returns along with an impressive and melodramatic cadenza with a finish full of majesty and splendor. Opening Event
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