First Movement – Part 1; Allegro ma non troppo (D minor):
(Part 2 and movements 2 & 3 below…)
Today as I prepare to head to work to perform what may be a futile exercise I am reminded of what is known as one of the most challenging Piano concertos in the world, Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30". Being a cellist and active in my Orchestra in school, I often explored classical music in middle school. One day I happened upon a garage sale where they were selling countless vinyl records of classical music for $0.10 each. I bought about 20 of them. $2. Pretty sweet! One was a recording of "Rachmaninov's Concerto No. 3 in D minor" played by pianist Witold Malcuzynski and the Warsaw National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, conductor Witold Rowicki. I love this recording. The orchestra and Malcuzynski are a one. Perhaps it was the emotion of Malcuzynski returning to his homeland in Poland after being away for all of WWII and the reconstruction that fueled the energy of all? Perhaps it was Malcuzynski's own connection to Rachmaninoff's story, both of them living as exiles for part of their lives? Perhaps the orchestra, formed from the ashes of the war, that help drive the emotion? It is superb!
Unfortunately I cannot find a place to buy the recording made in 1961 from let alone share it with you via audio stream. So we will have to "settle" for a recording by Vladimir Horowitz, though it is hardly settling. Horowitz knew Rachmaninoff personally after Rachmaninoff's exile from Russia, meeting in 1928. Rachmaninoff was a friend and mentor to Horowitz and Rachmaninoff is quoted as saying, "This is the way I always dreamed my concerto should be played, but I never expected to hear it that way on earth." So although I personally love the Malcuzynski recording, the Horowitz recordings are the ones most likely to reflect what Rachmaninoff had in mind, perhaps even more so than the recordings of Rachmaninoff himself playing his number 3 concerto.
There are three movements, and if you have not heard them, they are a must!
First Movement – Part 1; Allegro ma non troppo (D minor):
(See above.)
First Movement – Part 2; Allegro ma non troppo (D minor):
Second Movement; Intermezzo: Adagio (F sharp minor/D flat major):
Third Movement – Part 1; Finale: Alla breve (D minor – D major):
Third Movement – Part 2; Finale: Alla breve (D minor – D major):
PS: You'd better believe I will be blasting this one on my computer speakers in the office. That's right. I'm a rebel!
PPS: Although I started blogging 1 year ago today, and it is an anniversary of sorts, I really started posting songs of the day earlier on 2/25/2009.
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest:
I also suggest the music genre:
Click here for more info on Sergei Rachmaninoff – "Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30".
The MP3 may be purchased here… Sergei Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
