@newgeorge Your ears are not fooled. Rach wrote this while staying in New York and was very interested in jazz works by Gershwin and Duke Ellington. He even played a few jazz pieces for his own amusement.
It Rachmaninov's depression coming out. He wrote this concerto for himself. I think that this concerto is very interesting. The second and third are two of the finest works ever written, but this piece has some incredible depth as well! It's almost like you can feel Rachmaninov's depression, his agony. It is rich with discordant harmonies that can shake your very soul if you truly listen to it and take it in. Rachmaninov you truly were a genius! One of my favorites by Rachmaninov.
I feel bad that I can't stand this concerto. I am not a know-nothing amateur when it comes to music, either. His Third Concerto is one of the finest works ever written, and I have studied the score (along with that of the Second) extensively, and performed the Second. His transcriptions of Kreisler's works are masterpieces. But the Fourth Concerto is just torture!
@JoEbYX You have to listen to this concerto a couple times to finally recognize it's beauty and structure. The first time I heard it at Benaroya Hall, I hated it. But after a couple times of hearing it I've fell in love with this wonderful work.
@Starbirdy9999 same here, it hasnt got the great romantic easy to follow crescendos as his other concertos and is more intimate but when listened to a few times it is unspeakably beautiful
@JoEbYX I disliked this concerto to start with. I just didn't get it - then I reheard from 5:22 again to 6:24 and thought of the relationship between piano and orchestra and how he uses all the instruments to create wonderful effects. From there I listened to it a dozen times and it gets better with each hearing for me.
Just beautifull and dramatic dialog between piano and orchrestra, at end both agree that losted russian's remains will be never dayed, true Rackmaninoff.
I've developed a complete obsession with this work. I think the best way to deal with it is to play it!!! Why doesn't anybody play this? It's an absolute beauty. And Ashkenazy is, as always, the master of Rachmaninoff..
@opterios I would agree. It's oddly similar to the final couple of pages to the 2nd piano concerto (3rd movement) where the piano has no down beat and then lush chordes on 2, 3, and 4. I hear similar passages throughout a lot of his music but each time it always sounds so fresh and sparkling. I love it ~ I've tried to discover exactly where this crecendo passage actually begins. Technically it may begin at about 5m35s, but I think it actually starts at 5m24s, perhaps... even sooner.
I keep hearing Gershwin and Bartok in amongst the three blind mice theme. Rach trying to be American?
newgeorge 1 week ago
@newgeorge Your ears are not fooled. Rach wrote this while staying in New York and was very interested in jazz works by Gershwin and Duke Ellington. He even played a few jazz pieces for his own amusement.
BjornHegstad 2 days ago
This s the true voice of homesickness.
tranceparentcycle 1 month ago
כל כך יפה ועדין
16119393 6 months ago
כל כך יפה
16119393 6 months ago
I don't understand why this was so badly received when it premiered, it's an amazingly beautiful work!
Or maybe it's because I'm not as educated as his critics were, I dunno.
arcturian627 8 months ago 2
I have seriously fall in love with his music since I hear that piece
MrSheogorath 8 months ago 2
Three blind mice....
MertezAad 9 months ago 2
It Rachmaninov's depression coming out. He wrote this concerto for himself. I think that this concerto is very interesting. The second and third are two of the finest works ever written, but this piece has some incredible depth as well! It's almost like you can feel Rachmaninov's depression, his agony. It is rich with discordant harmonies that can shake your very soul if you truly listen to it and take it in. Rachmaninov you truly were a genius! One of my favorites by Rachmaninov.
Omni1Illu 11 months ago
I feel bad that I can't stand this concerto. I am not a know-nothing amateur when it comes to music, either. His Third Concerto is one of the finest works ever written, and I have studied the score (along with that of the Second) extensively, and performed the Second. His transcriptions of Kreisler's works are masterpieces. But the Fourth Concerto is just torture!
JoEbYX 11 months ago
@JoEbYX You have to listen to this concerto a couple times to finally recognize it's beauty and structure. The first time I heard it at Benaroya Hall, I hated it. But after a couple times of hearing it I've fell in love with this wonderful work.
Starbirdy9999 9 months ago
@Starbirdy9999 same here, it hasnt got the great romantic easy to follow crescendos as his other concertos and is more intimate but when listened to a few times it is unspeakably beautiful
afertyus1000 6 months ago
@JoEbYX you find it emotionally jarring?
dressrehearsalrags 7 months ago
@JoEbYX I disliked this concerto to start with. I just didn't get it - then I reheard from 5:22 again to 6:24 and thought of the relationship between piano and orchestra and how he uses all the instruments to create wonderful effects. From there I listened to it a dozen times and it gets better with each hearing for me.
stockcar5472 5 months ago 2
Just beautifull and dramatic dialog between piano and orchrestra, at end both agree that losted russian's remains will be never dayed, true Rackmaninoff.
NINOABSNABSN 1 year ago
Listen to 5:32 -- 6:22 and weep! Vintage Rachmaninov melancholy!
seattle813 1 year ago
The best rach concerto easily! And ofc Ashkenazy's performance the best! I simply love it!
wnxg4nd4lf 1 year ago
Just realised: Schumann op 54
sorim1967 1 year ago
Just realized: 5:34 - 6:23 = op 33. no. 3!
jczcameron 1 year ago
Excellent sound quality.
mmoynan 1 year ago
3:11 - Oh my, that funky grace note was not a boo-boo from that other recording...
jeffrags2 1 year ago
I've developed a complete obsession with this work. I think the best way to deal with it is to play it!!! Why doesn't anybody play this? It's an absolute beauty. And Ashkenazy is, as always, the master of Rachmaninoff..
PogorelichGirl 1 year ago
At 5m38s it's one of the most breathtaking crescendos I've ever heard!
opterios 1 year ago 11
@opterios I would agree. It's oddly similar to the final couple of pages to the 2nd piano concerto (3rd movement) where the piano has no down beat and then lush chordes on 2, 3, and 4. I hear similar passages throughout a lot of his music but each time it always sounds so fresh and sparkling. I love it ~ I've tried to discover exactly where this crecendo passage actually begins. Technically it may begin at about 5m35s, but I think it actually starts at 5m24s, perhaps... even sooner.
Kendahlarama 10 months ago
@opterios Yes, there is something particularly sublime and powerful right at that point I've thought that from the moment I ever first heard it.
pianobillf 5 months ago
this is just sooo beautiful...
miepdetruus 2 years ago
Ummm... Debussy? I've never heard Debussy before in Rachmaninoff, it's good though
werq34ac 2 years ago
Very good peice of work it may not seem like theres alot of emotion in this perticular peice, but I fell the emotion rise inside of me
navybluebutterfly9 2 years ago
Ja Lubloo Rachmaniniov ;-) Some of the best piano music written.
bugatti103 3 years ago 2
beautiful
EarthaticFan 3 years ago
Difficult for a French music lover not to think of the very famous children song: "le Bon Roi Dagobert"
and that spoils a bit my pleasure...
But the weak part of this Concerto is the Finale....
I know someone who will not like this comment!
klingsor93 3 years ago
I'm not ashamed to say that at times I got lost in the first movement. This is the only Rachmaninov concerto that loses me like that.
GeorgeMaxwellDuPre 2 years ago 5