Rachmaninoff plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini ii.

[akkun85]

greatest pianist an composer of all time! 

[kittyvu88]

Seriously the best to play as a 1st violinist from the start :):)

[Shibi181]

So much better than the piano rolls. Thank you for posting this 5 years ago!!

[theropodia]

Wow! The accuracy, touch and phrasing are truly amazing - even if it is his own piece!

[hailkayy]

@Clsclassic Rachmaninov Neglected ? uh ? What Bs is that ? lol

[BuckitSitch]

for pure melody, start from 5:28

[alexeck1]

Certainly the most famous part. It is an inversion of the original Paginini. Rach knew it had deep emotional appeal and timelessness and reportedly said "this one is for my agent".

[moshiko7701]

great music pity we dont have nmore recent version of this great compoesition

[fredericfranc]

@Clsclassic ...Mr.Mussolini, who was sort of educated, hanged out with Mr.Hitler, who was educated somewhat less, and look how the association worked out for Mr. Mussolini...hanging out on the YouTube, and Internet in general is like that...the place is overran with Hitlers of today...it runs on bs, pretty much...you don't want to give anybody the benefit of the doubt...don't believe my bs either...besides am having a real bad day and am doing a lousy job, generally...

[fredericfranc]

@Clsclassic ...with the YouTubers, who are notoriously undereducated in music history, esp. the pianists, the use of irony, and esp. surrealism, is particularly inadvisable, it will wreak havoc, confusion and worse...this particularly applies to Rachmaninov, whose partisans are particularly ferocity-blinded, generally true out-of-control fanatics, devoid entirely of the sense of the ridiculous...and generally of the sense of perspective and proportion in art...I am probaby of their number...

[RokujyuuyonShou]

@Clsclassic Since when is Rachmaninoff a neglected composer?

[fredericfranc]

@Clsclassic Surely your use of the word "neglected" in this context, twice, must be ironical in intent, in some tricky way, perhaps even surrealistic...

[lolzertankify]

This is amazing.

[lolzertankify]

@lolzertankify lol

[waterlily716]

oh, the end of this is simply gorgeous.

[tonyngjichun]

Im sure Paganini would jump out from his coffin when someone plays this next to his body.

Stunning!

[f33rn44nd00]

@Clsclassic I don't quite agree, I think we cannot deny the influence Rachmaninov had on the Hollywood composers of his day, and ours.

[HarmoniumPianoTrio]

Amazing performance, var #15, flawless.

[Gargantupimp]

all he freaking does for that famous variation is flip the theme on its back so freakin coo

[replaygeorge]

5:33 - wonderful

[cafity]

@replaygeorge 5:33 - NO. 18!!!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!! (crazy fans) :P

[popppaortiz]

Rachmaninoff makes my heart sing.

[mwakin22]

I would say that Rachmaninoff is a bit neglected in that most people who think of the piano think immediately of Chopin, Beethoven, etc. Though these were amazing composers, they are not the only ones who could write such heart-wrenching music. I love Rachmaninoff and always will.

[rayclentchris]

Rachmaninov has always been my favorite late romantic composer, and I didn't know he played his own music. This is just as good as it gets!!

[9Modality]

@Clsclassic Certainly not! Rachmaninov is far from neglected! And this almost as popular as his Second Piano concerto which is basically standard repertoire for most concert pianists.

[cyberlarry7]

To all those people who bitch about Rachmaninoff not creating an "original tune" for this work - you're all showing how Fucking Ignorant you are. It was a common practice for composers to utilize folk music, themes from other composers, etc. - in making new compositions. Check Mr. Listz. Ever hear the Dies Irae? 13th century Latin hymn used by Berlioz, Brahms, Dvořák, Mahler, Shostakovich EVEN MOZART USED IT. Get fucking educated, assholes. Take a music appreciation class.

[mellothperrin]

@cyberlarry7 not only them,but Sorabji,Gould,Busoni and Rachmaninoff IN THIS PIECE!!!

[davidjamessheets]

@cyberlarry7 Yes, Larry, get educated on how to use the English language without being profane.

[kmpiano1]

@cyberlarry7 I agree, but we shouldn't stoop to their level by using cursed words...

[TheAmarach]

The 18th Variation is not what it seems to most listeners. It's a trap. Dig it! :)

Warning! It may take you YEARS to fully understand what was going on beyond those "simple" notes! I just hope there are people around here who know what I'm talking about :)

[Paggot]

Rachmaninoff is more than just a big tune; people need to get off the 18th variation already. There's so much more in Rachmaninoff than just grand melody.

[Alexjr1543]

I think Rachmaninoff might be to the piano what Paganini was to the violin.

[djstkora]

@Alexjr1543 if that was the case, he would be making Varitations on his own theme, right???

[mortalfrog007]

@djstkora ok, are you stupid or what?! are you saying rachmaninov had no own themes? making a rhapsody on someone elses theme meant honoring this person... that's what he did! i'm pretty sure rachmaninov had no problems inventing new themes!

[sevadaj]

the 18th variation is just one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed.

[k0k0abtz]

:'-), lloro de emocion ante la variacion 18

[Acoar16]

Paganini would be proud of Rachmanioff,I think,thats simply marvelous...

[Besdonaz]

after 18th variation a man just cannot not to love this genious

[melendezg7]

I listened to this on the top of the Eiffel Tower, enjoying the marvelous sight of Paris by the night... It made me ecstatic, and I'm not ashamed to say that I cried.

[Jragir]

This is the piece that made me fall in love with Rachmaninoff and see his genius. It combines every positive aspect of 20th century composition and shows a personal emotion that is both heart wrenching and uplifting simultaneously.

Bravo to the Meastro

[99hoolio]

6:06 where lesser pianists would bang the lead up to the big return of the theme - he holds back and it's so unbelievably understated and beautiful.

[JackSafferyRowe]

5.30 Pure magic

[TheMikester307]

Around 5:31, the "18th Variation" the composer in his solo passages gives a real Russian feel to the piece I'd never heard before! A note here where everyone else plays it there...

[narbo]

5:31 -> One of the most beautiful melodies ever composed.  The genius of simply inverting the main theme!

[turtles772]

I LOVE THE EIGHTEENTH VARIATION! <3

[99IraqBaghdad99]

To / Clsclassic

My friend I lived 7 months in Italia, in palermo and I found that the Italians is alive people! You have heat and life in your blood! I found Palermo as a city that's as a whole is a museum! I will visit it again! Have my greeting Italian people!

[99IraqBaghdad99]

To / Clsclassic

I believe you were right when you said that Rachmaninioff was the best neglected composer! I believe you have music in your blood! They are two and only two in piano for me, him and Franz lizst. Have my regards . . .

[weikko79]

In what way was Rachmaninoff neglected?

[HighlandFreePress]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh !

[fatalerror1954]

This MAN was larger than life :)

[morgan4965]

He truly is one of the greats surely does not get the credit he deserves...his music moves me to tears.

[joolsscott]

I whole heartedly agree. His music has so much soul and passion and he is such a fine orchestrator as well. surely he's one of the greatest... up with Bach, Mozart, Ravel, Beethoven and Debussy.

[ArturoAlejandroS]

I like very much this rhapsody.I imagine with this music the 20's years and the 30's years,with the Great Depression in USA,in some parts.

Variation 16,17,18 I think are my favourites.Just incredible music.

Thanks for post this amazing performance,sure is the best.

[xoggette]

the zeroeth variation is my favorite

[ArturoAlejandroS]

Wicht is that?18?

Thanks!

All are great,I like specially this part of the rhapsody and the variations before 18 are really beautiful.

[turtles772]

the zeroeth variation?? huh?

[ClassicSteinwayJonas]

amazing!!!

[lakshmiwynter]

i am glad this is on youtube, thanks, a great lesson for the ears hands and heart.

[ClassicSteinwayJonas]

don't forget your eye ball, your nose, your mouth, your feet, your stomach, your face, your elbow, your knee, your back, your shoulder and your hair

[lakshmiwynter]

what about your asshole?

[ClassicSteinwayJonas]

I was just joking!!!!!!!! o and that too if you want to

[demosj]

The eighteenth variation is my favorite.

[ClassicSteinwayJonas]

me too!!!

[ClassicSteinwayJonas]

its just so emotional

[4c00h]

so beautiful

[p10nker100]

Truly Rhapsodic!

[ktheblenderuser]

beautiful