Sergey Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

Donald Macleod turns his attention to Rachmaninov’s great choral
works


Rachmaninov has been seen as the last great champion of Russian
Late Romanticism. He was a celebrated pianist and conductor, as
well as a composer, and his musical legacy includes his hugely
popular piano concertos. This week, Donald Macleod turns his
attention to Rachmaninov’s great choral works and his story
during the periods in which they were composed. These choral
masterpieces are both sacred and secular, and include the cantata
Spring, the choral symphony The Bells, Three Russian Songs, the
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, and the iconic All-night Vigil.
Donald explores what inspired Rachmaninov while he was writing
this music, including creative collaborations, beautiful poetry,
and places in Russia and abroad.


Music Featured:


How Fair this Spot, Op 21, No 7 Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor,
Op 18 (Adagio sostenuto) Suite No 2 for two pianos, Op 17 Spring,
Op 20 Before my window, Op 26, No 10 Piano Concerto No 3 in D
minor, Op 30 (Allegro ma non tanto) Liturgy of St John
Chrysostom, Op 31 No’s 6-10 Etudes-tableaux, Op 33, No 8
(Moderato) Lilacs, Op 21, No 5 The Muse, Op 34, No 1 It Cannot
Be, Op 34, No 7 The Bells, Op 35 Piano Sonata No 2 in B flat
minor, Op 36 (Allegro molto) Vocalise, Op 34, No 14 All-night
Vigil Op 37 (excerpt) To Her, Op 38, No 2 Daisies, Op 38, No 3
A-u!, Op 38, No 6 Piano Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op 1
(Allegro vivace) Kreisler, arr. Rachmaninov, Liebeslied Piano
Concerto No 4 in G minor, Op 40 (Allegro vivace) Three Russian
Songs, Op 41 All-night Vigil Op 37 (excerpt)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC
Wales


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Sergey Rachmaninov
(1873-1943) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zbym


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z