Rachmaninoff’s masterpieces. Recommended pieces by Rachmaninoff.

Fantasy Pieces: “Elegy” in E-flat minor, Op. 3 No. 1Sergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninoff Elegie in E Flat Minor

A lyrical piece with a melody that seems to sing.

It is said to have been completed the year after Rachmaninoff graduated from the Moscow Conservatory.

Rather than a brief, sudden rush of sadness, it feels like waves of sorrow keep surging in and then gradually recede—that’s the impression it gives.

Scherzo in D minor for OrchestraSergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninoff / Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Movement I, Op. 30 / Yuna Tamogami

It is among the earliest of Rachmaninoff’s surviving orchestral works, composed in 1887 during his time at the Moscow Conservatory.

The composer was only 14 years old at the time, and the score bears the inscription “1887” in an unknown hand.

The piece was dedicated to his cousin, Alexander Siloti.

Suite No. 2Sergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninoff / Suite No. 2 – I. Introduction / Performed by: Michal Horák

This is also a duo piece performed on two pianos, and it is also known as the Suite No.

2 for Two Pianos.

Due to nervous exhaustion, it was composed between December 1900 and April 1901, after a gap of about five years following the previous work, Moments Musicaux.

Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1Sergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1 – Anna Fedorova and Sinfonieorchester Sankt Gallen – Concert HD

A piece that Rachmaninoff wrote for his graduation exam while he was studying at the Moscow Conservatory.

After its first performance, it underwent substantial revisions to reach its current form.

Compared to his famous Piano Concertos No.

2 and No.

3, it leaves a much more passionate and intense impression.

Piano Concerto No. 2, First MovementSergei Rachmaninov

01_Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, 1st movement (Piano: Kiyoko Tanaka)

It’s the first movement of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.

2.

It was featured in the drama Nodame Cantabile, so many of you may be familiar with it.

It’s a piano concerto performed with orchestra rather than solo piano, and it features Rachmaninoff’s characteristically sweet melodies and beautiful lines.

The harmonic blend with the orchestra is superb, and the sense of “spinning” the sound is particularly captivating.

While the piano part is beautiful, it is, of course, highly challenging.

Many pianists who dream of performing with an orchestra take on this concerto, but beyond technical skill, it’s difficult without an invitation or direction from a conductor and orchestra—so it’s not just about playing; the musical environment also matters.

One of the joys of a concerto is the experience of playing with a conductor, but because you can’t rely solely on your own tempo, there’s also the challenge of coordinating with others.

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Picturesque Etudes “Tableaux,” Op. 39, No. 6: “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf”Sergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninoff Etude Tableau Op 39 No. 6 “Little Red Riding Hood”

Sergei Rachmaninoff, one of Russia’s greatest composers.

His Études-Tableaux, Op.

39 No.

6, “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf,” is among the most famously difficult pieces in his oeuvre.

Anyone familiar with Rachmaninoff’s works will know that the chief challenge here is the left-hand octaves and leaps.

There are also tough sections like chromatic octave passages and intricate sixteenth-note figurations, so a high level of overall performance ability is required.

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Prelude in C-sharp minor “The Bells”Sergei Rachmaninov

Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3 No. 2 "The Bells" — Rachmaninoff

During the Late Romantic era, a succession of remarkable composers emerged from Russia.

Rachmaninoff was among them.

This piece is one of his most popular works and is included in the set of five pieces titled “Morceaux de Fantaisie” (Fantasy Pieces).