S. Rachmaninov Concerto for piano and orchestra № 2
The second concert of Sergei Rakhmaninov became a landmark for the composer, having firmly entered the history of world music and occupied a special place there. Until now, it remains perhaps the most popular work of Rachmaninoff, due to its extraordinary beauty, emotionality, artistic design and embodiment. Researchers rightfully call this concert a brilliant poem about the Motherland.
History of creation
The second concerto for piano and orchestra in C minor was written in 1900. It is worth noting that his appearance was preceded by an extremely difficult period in the composer's life - the unsuccessful premiere of the First Symphony in 1897. This greatly affected Rachmaninov’s state of mind, which he even completely abandoned the composition for several years in a very strong creative crisis. This condition continued with the musician for three years. He constantly complained of fatigue, insomnia, a sharp pain in his back and arms. Friends and relatives tried in every way to help him, even organized a meeting with Leo Tolstoy. But this did not help, but on the contrary, even more aggravated the situation. After returning home, hallucinations began to torment Rakhmaninov. Close had to seek help from a specialist. Thanks to the help of a famous neurologist and hypnotist N.V. Dahl, Rakhmaninov managed to recover.
Due to the material support of Ziloti, Rachmaninoff was able to leave the pedagogical activity at the Mariinsky College, which put him in some way and devote himself again to the composition.
Severe depression is over, which means that for all three years, the talented composer has accumulated creative forces and ideas. It was during this period of time that the works of Rachmaninov, which symbolize a higher stage of his artistic mastery, appear.
In the Second concert, the composer appears before the public as a mature artist, with his own special skill, style, fully and quite vividly wielding all the available expressive means, like a true master of large form. The creative way outlined in the First Symphony is now finally determined - this is the predominance of the lyrical-epic symphony, which invariably rests on the national melody and the metro rhythm. All the bright childhood events, visits to services in the Moscow Androniev Monastery, the study of choral works by A. Kastalsky - all this had a great influence on the formation of his individual style.
On April 24, Sergey Vasilevich decided to present the first part of the concert to a small public. This happened at a meeting of musicians at the Goldenweiser in 1901. That's just the audience did not immediately appreciate this beautiful and original music.
However, the first public performance of the entire concert brought the work of universal recognition and love of the audience. For the first time, the Second Piano Concerto in C minor was presented to the public on October 27, 1901 by the composer himself. The orchestra was conducted by A.I. Siloti The main theme of the first part made an indelible impression on the audience and literally amazed everyone who was present in the hall.
The audience of St. Petersburg was able to get acquainted with the Rachmaninov concert on March 29, 1902, performed by A. Siloti. The concert was conducted by A. Nikish.
Interesting Facts
- Rachmaninov dedicated his concert to the hypnotist doctor N. Dahl, who was undergoing treatment, overcoming a mental crisis.
- As contemporaries recall, the well-known composer S. Taneyev, when he first listened to the second part of the Rachmaninov concert, admitted that it was brilliant and even shed tears from emotions.
- In 1904, Sergei Vasilyevich received the Glinka Prize for his Second Concerto, approved by well-known philanthropist M. Belyaev.
- Having gained popularity, the Rachmaninov concert entered the repertoire of most famous pianists, including Svyatoslav Richter, Denis Matsuev, Van Cliburn, Arthur Rubinstein and many others.
- The second concert has a very extensive filmography. The music of this beautiful work can be heard in many films: "Paradise" (2016), "Woman and Man" (2010), "Private Life" (1982), "Poem about Wings" (1979), "Spring on Zarechnaya Street" ( 1956), "The Branch of Lilacs" (2007), "Bingo-Bongo" (1982), "Short Meeting" (1974), "Bunker", the cartoon "Pig-moneybox" (1963), etc.
- By its nature, the work of Rachmaninov is close to a symphonized lyric poem.
- The reason for the creative crisis (lull) in Rachmaninoff is considered not only the failure of his First Symphony, but also personal experiences. The fact is that he found out about the marriage of his beloved, who chose another young man.
- During the first performance of the Second Concerto N. Dahl was present in the hall. Rachmaninov addressed him with a speech and admitted that it was his concert. After that, the personal doctor of the composer N.V. Dahl, who was always in the front row. Thus, he helped the musician to cope with a strong emotion in front of the audience.
Content
First part based on the majestic theme that symbolizes the image of the motherland. She is incredibly beautiful and powerful at the same time. The concert opens very brightly - heavy chords, which can be compared only with the beats of the alarm. They push the voltage to the limit. The melody itself develops unhurriedly, slowly, but unusually singing. At the same time, there is a certain tension in the music that is dispelled by the offensive party. As usual, it is contrasted with the main one. This is an image of love, happiness with a hint of languor.
The second part of Adagio sostenuto is the lyric center of the concert. The whole part is written in a single emotional background and grows out of one thematic grain. The music itself is incredibly dreamy, calm, symbolizing the beauty of nature and harmony. It is in this part that the typical Rahmaninov type of melody appears for the first time - a very light, anxious one, which “floats”, as it were. This soft image is further enhanced by the accompaniment - soft and waving, which colors the main melody with unusual colors. Such a play of light and shade gives the music a sense of tranquility, rustling of foliage on a warm summer evening. The middle section, filled with passionate, pathetic declamation, brings some confusion and reminds of bitter experiences. But he appears only as a memory and is again replaced by a soft, light lyrical theme.
The final The second concert returns again to the image of the first part and majestically affirms the victory of the bright beginning, the triumph of the brightest feelings. This part is colored with joyful bells that sound in the main theme. The schertz movement abruptly gives way to choral inserts, then marching echoes appear and, of course, the bell strikes, as in the first part. Voltage gradually increases more and more, leading to a bright melody (side part). The final part ends with the sound of a hymnic theme against the background of powerful chords. This is a kind of enthusiastic hymn that glorifies the beauty and greatness of man.
Of course, the figurative content of the final was prepared by the composer's earlier works. So, the important "etudes" to the main part of this part were the finale of the First suite for two pianos "Bright Holiday" and a choral concert.
It is worth considering that during the creation of a concert, the theme of human personality growth prevails in art. The famous Chekhov's utterance “Man - it sounds proud” now becomes practically the leit of many musical works. It is presented in the composition of Rachmaninov, though with some lyrical spontaneity. Moreover, the image of the Motherland, however, comes to the forefront, but in the perception of the individual, which gives rise to acute anxieties and overcomes their hopes. That is why there are no solo lyric-dramatic images in this concert.
Having been performed by the composer himself for the first time, the Second concert immediately gained unprecedented popularity and public recognition. He immediately begins a triumphal procession in various cities of our country and abroad, each time admiring the audience, causing constant excitement. Till now Rachmaninov’s concert remains one of his most striking works and deservedly enters the treasury of world music.
Leave Your Comment