Rachmaninoff’s masterpieces. Recommended pieces by Rachmaninoff.
Sergei Rachmaninoff is one of the composers who represent Russia.
Although his talent was recognized by fellow Russian composer Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff once experienced a setback in his musical career.
Perhaps because his works were born from that state of mind and environment, they resonate with people today as well—their wistful, fleeting, and at times passionate style captivates everyone who listens.
This time, I’ve selected pieces ranging from symphonies performed by orchestra to vocal works and piano pieces.
Even when you hear a piece you don’t know, you might find yourself thinking, “Ah, this is Rachmaninoff.”
Please give them a listen.
- [Ultra-Advanced] Even challenging for advanced players! A curated selection of highly difficult piano pieces
- [Beginner-Friendly] Rachmaninoff’s Piano Pieces | A Curated Selection of Accessible Works!
- Sibelius’s famous piece. Popular classical music.
- [Advanced] Super cool if you can play it! Selection of famous piano pieces
- For Advanced Players: Showstopping Classics to Play at a Piano Recital
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- Robert Schumann | Introduction to his famous and representative works
- Masterpieces of the bolero. Recommended popular pieces in bolero form and outstanding performances.
- [Violin] A curated selection of beloved classic masterpieces and popular pieces that continue to be cherished across eras
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- A masterpiece by Alexander Borodin. Popular classical music.
Rachmaninoff’s masterpieces. Recommended Rachmaninoff pieces (21–30)
Etudes Collection “Pictures at an Exhibition”Sergei Rachmaninov
This is a collection of piano études consisting of two sets and a total of 17 pieces: the eight pieces of Op.
33 composed around 1911, and the nine pieces of Op.
39 published in 1917 just before his emigration.
True to the title “Pictures of Sound,” the melodies evoke vivid scenes simply by listening.
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39Sergei Rachmaninov
One of the works the Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff undertook just before leaving his homeland is a set of nine piano pieces.
Composed between 1916 and 1917, they were conceived not as conventional études but as “pictures in sound” that depict scenes and narratives.
There are two sets, Op.
33 and Op.
39, and the Op.
39 set presented here is said to be more demanding both technically and musically.
Each piece contains its own distinctive mood and technical challenges, with Nos.
1, 3, 5, 6, and 9 often cited as especially difficult.
Beyond their difficulty as études, their allure lies in how, true to the idea of “sound pictures,” they evoke imagery reminiscent of paintings.
Rachmaninoff masterpieces. Recommended Rachmaninoff pieces (31–40)
Symphony No. 2, Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov
A moving melody woven from beauty and melancholy seeps into the heart.
Beginning with a clarinet solo and expanding to the full orchestra, the sonic world shakes the listener’s soul.
Its lyrical line, which evokes nostalgia and distant memories, feels as if it were singing of a beloved person.
It is also featured in the film “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” known as a classic that colors romantic scenes.
Recommended for those who wish to heal the pain of heartbreak or to bask in memories with someone dear.
Premiered in January 1908 to great success, it is also famous as a work that symbolizes the composer’s rebirth.
Oriental Sketch in B-flat majorSergei Rachmaninov
This is a short piece composed in 1917, amid the unfolding Russian Revolution, alongside Prelude in D minor and Fragments.
It was originally untitled, but later took its name from the composer’s own description, “Oriental Sketch.” Lasting just under two minutes, it is characterized by a flowing yet fiercely restless melody.
Capriccio on Gypsy Themes, Op. 12Sergei Rachmaninov
The Gypsies were a people scattered across various parts of Europe who possessed a unique culture of song and dance.
The piece has a base that reflects Rachmaninoff’s characteristic elegance, but here and there melodies appear that are strikingly reminiscent of dance music.
Recommended when you’re in the mood for a slightly unconventional Rachmaninoff.
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 – Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov
Premiered in 1908 under Rachmaninoff’s own baton, this work inherits the traditions of the Russian Romantic school while weaving uniquely beautiful melodies that leave a strong impression.
Though best known for his piano concertos, the composer also displayed exceptional talent in the symphonic realm.
The melody of the third movement is especially popular—so much so that solo piano arrangements have been published.
Part of the appeal is the enjoyment of expressing the orchestra’s grand sonorities on a single piano.
It is a highly recommended piece for anyone wishing to experience the profound depth of classical music.
Fantasiestücke, Op. 3 No. 1: ElegySergei Rachmaninov
A piece included as the first number in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Fantaisie-Impromptus, Op.
3, completed in 1892.
Rachmaninoff composed it right after graduating from the Moscow Conservatory, and you can sense a glimpse of his emerging genius.
It is often performed at a gentle tempo and is not technically difficult, but it demands expressive nuance.
By being mindful of the balance between the bass and the melody and infusing each note with care, you can bring out the work’s appeal.
It is a recommended piece for those who wish to savor a quiet, introspective atmosphere.