The music I pursued in those years...Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18

The first edition of Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2 on the cabinet

 I like Rachmaninoff's works, starting from this concerto. Facing this emotionally delicate musician, one can feel a fact from his creation: people with musical talent will not be easily knocked down, and they will get up from where they fall.

Before writing this, I had listened to many versions, even my favorite Zimaman . These listening experiences have prompted me to try to find a recording that sounds delicious and takes into account the sound quality to share with everyone, but it always fails to meet expectations.

In the end, I chose this recording, performed by the legendary pianist Richter .

This pianist shocked me not because of how talented he is (although he is really talented), but his consummate touch, which is integrated into the music of the pianist, is unmatched like a peerless master Dugu seeking defeat. The awe-inspiring aura of rivalry is looming! Just think, if I hadn't heard those many versions, I really didn't have this feeling!

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2｜Background

A standard concerto generally consists of three movements. This piano concerto by the Russian composer and pianist Rachmaninov in 1901 is widely regarded as possibly one of the greatest piano concertos of all time and a typical composition of late Romantic music.

Speaking of this work, there are really many stories to write.

In 1897, Rachmaninoff published the First Symphony with great confidence. The premiere of this work was ultimately a failure, so it received many tit-for-tat criticisms, which was undoubtedly a big blow to the composer. Although it seems now, this Symphony No. 1 is still an important work.

In addition to the ruthless and harsh criticism of music critics, coupled with all kinds of unhappiness in his personal life, these kinds of blows made him down in the next few years, and he began to use alcohol to numb himself. Fortunately, after being encouraged by his friends, he was willing to face up to himself and sought active treatment from a psychiatrist. In the end, he regained his confidence again.

In 1900, the battered Rachmaninoff completed the second and third movements of his Piano Concerto No. 2 and dedicated it to the psychotherapist who helped him regain his self-confidence.

The iron is hot

Although the concerto has not yet reached completion, Rachmaninoff still can't wait to know the public's reaction to this piece, so he mobilized all resources to perform it in public and personally act as a soloist. Huangtian lived up to the painstaking efforts, and the work also achieved unprecedented success. In the next year, in 1901, he completed the first movement, which was the last piece of the puzzle of this piece, and let the world see the classical masterpiece of the Russian post-romantic composer, which can be called a piano concerto. A great classic in . After that, he completed the piano concerto No. 3, which made the pianist's emotions change , which is even more difficult than No. 2, and its popularity is not lower!

Therefore, this No. 2 piano concerto can be called Rachmaninoff's turnaround!

Recommended Version: Conductor: Wisrocky / Orchestra: Warsaw State Philharmonic Orchestra / Piano: Richter

If you haven't heard the above recording, then don't say that you really like this work, because if you don't listen to the classics, you will find a new recording, which is the same as wanting to learn to run before you can't walk! Although this version was converted from vinyl to CD, the effect is not bad. Although the details cannot be truly displayed, and the three-dimensional effect is not as good as the new recording, it is a really delicious performance.

This is a tribute to a genius by a genius. Only a piano player like Richter can bring out the musical essence of his fellow villagers, right?