Rachmaninoff - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 "Variation 18" (Pennario)

[RelVictoria1994]

I'd learn this...but I don't have 15 fingers. Or very large hands.

[ruesap13]

This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard!

[Rachman1337]

The most beautiful thing ever written.

[jflasche]

Is it a coincidence that a piece based Paganini's 24th caprice has 24 variations?

[marcosadrian229]

The Best Music In The World!

[XavierMacX]

For those who don't know, this variation is an inversion of the main theme. The implications are mind blowing.

[Joeyboiification]

Man, whut a genius composer 0.o

[baritonesandtapshoes]

Perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching passages I've ever heard; despite it's relative simplicity. It never fails to bring me to tears.

[frednolasco]

can you imagine if the world could be as beautiful as this piece?

[pianobear7491]

@frednolasco It is, just look for that beauty in the right places ^^ ;)

[MsDolo08]

@frednolasco exactly!

[pianonger]

could u send me a link to the music?

[GeorgeMaj15]

Not the best variation, but certainly a gorgeous one--spectacular idea of inversion and amazing composition. I wish Rachmaninoff did some of Paganini's original variations written in--they also carry weight (although more so on solo violin then orchestrated, in my own opinion)

[jamzedodger]

@GeorgeMaj15 then what is the best one? cause this one's pretty damn good.

[dragontooth81]

The 18th is a great variation, but I like the build up to it. When I listen, I like to hear the 17th as well. I wonder if you have the score for that too?

[jen1989z]

it is so moving.

[TheAhkenaten1]

One of my old time favorites.

[TheRavenis]

I will be number 4 on the dislike list, this piece is a bit remedial.

[blondiepianist]

One of THE MOST beautiful piano works EVER.

[paulkate72]

This piece is incredibly, breathtakingly beautiful - ethereal even, not of this world...

[eclectica11]

@paulkate72 This  piece was one of my mum's favorites, and my dad used to play it on our piano. He didn't read music, just played wonderfully by ear. Brings back such memories of them both and Africa!!

[paulkate72]

@eclectica11 - Thank you for your touching comments - humans have been endowed with such stupendous talents. Wouldn't if be wonderful if those talents were all directed towards our human family's common good.

Great music - we share that opinion anyway. Cheers now!

[Jimboaki]

If you are moved by this piece. Look up the Boston Crusaders Dram and Bugle Corp's 2010 performance of this piece. Sergei himself would have been impressed

[CarnisVale]

I first heard this piece when I was a child of four years on a gilded glass music box that belonged to my babysitter. She is no longer alive and the box has long been lost/ I always adored the music from the box, but I never knew the title or composer. I've been searching sixteen years for this piece of music, and today I have found it. Life feels good. Thank you for uploading.

[RowanElijah]

@CarnisVale Reading your comment while this music was playing almost made me cry. Lovely, sweet memory. :)

[r0bz0rly]

this piece seriously blows me away.

[lilytoka]

Breathtakingly beautiful!

[runeweb]

So majestic!

[adritomasi]

amo essa música :)..(em algum lugar do passado)

[tenyokyle]

tis great~for the score XD

[shephrenlangisms]

Very beautiful and Adriana thanks again for your generosity! shephren.

[texasflood69]

Guess what adri1430...I found the music online and have re-learned the intro. I never get tired of that part. Need to learn the rest of it now.

[texasflood69]

When I was 19 I taught myself this piece with some old sheet music I had acquired. It took a couple of months of daily playing to learn it note for note. I'm 40 now and, sadly, have forgotten how to play this (from lack of playing). Seeing the music in your video may have inspired me to try to learn this again. Thanks for putting this video up.

[adri1430]

@texasflood69 The same happened to me! I used to play it when I was a young girl...and unfortunately I forgot everything! How I miss to read music! It is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Greetings, and I hope you are inspired to learn it again... :-)

[AugustusAurelianus]

Thank you so much for reminding me about this magnificent piece of music, which very typically stands as an icon of the Late Romantic period... Simply beautiful.

[YellowMagi]

@texasflood69 HAHAHAHAHAH, your old! ROFL, piano geeeezer!

[MsDolo08]

@texasflood69 don't stop playing. when you're ready, upload it here.

[PYE172]

o.k. i did not know this . but i love this .and the musis for the film somewher in time

[PYE172]

i do not get it you say it is in the key of A minor but the music on the video as 5 flats

[teakbridge101]

I can explain! in Classical music, when they say "Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini in A minor," they are refering to the key of the first variation. That is what determines the name of the piece. All succeeding keys are secondary to the name of the piece and usually get discarded. This is the 18th variation which Rach put into the key of D-flat major.

[MisterJeves]

@PYE172 The theme is in A minor, this is the 18th variation, where it has changed key. Hope this explains things for you!

[chopinasi]

beautiful *****

[OceanbornSWT]

This is one of my favorite pieces that was inspired in other melody. I'm a Rachmaninoff's fan, and Paganini's too.. so is great hear how the geniality of both meet in the same piece. Thanks.