Friday 14 September 2012

Rachmaninoff: Suite pour Deux Pianos Op. 1 No.5

Rachmaninoff's Suite pour Deux Pianos Op.1 no.5 is most certainly a unique piece - peculiar, to say the least. Very 'Rachmaninoff-like'.

Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff ( April   1873 – 28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. In Music History, he is classified as a representative of Romanticism in Russian classical music -though his music is of near-Impressionist style.  Early influences of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and other Russian composers led him to a thoroughly personal idiom that comprised an acute lyricism and the use of a tonal palette of rich colours. Piano music is prominant in Rachmaninoff's work.

Rachmaninoff had full command of counterpoint technique, especially of chromatic counterpoint, and this is very noticeable in this beautiful piece for two pianos. Also noticeable are its sumptuous harmonies - another feature of the composer's works.

The Op. 1 no.5  is a very intriguing piece. Enchanting. Unexpected crescendos and decrescendos create a mysterious atmosphere.

Performed by D'Oria-Nicolas and Kobrin.


No comments:

Post a Comment