Rachmaninoff: Theremin "How Fair This Spot"

This is a transcription for theremin of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff's beautiful song, Opus 21 #7, "Zdes Xorosho" (How Fair This Spot).

According to the New York Times, Rachmaninoff attended a demonstration of the theremin in 1930, given by its inventor, Leon Theremin (a fellow Russian), at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Apparently there was a woman in the audience who leapt to her feet after the first number applauding and shouting "Bravo! Bravo!" Rachmaninoff who, according to the article, was sitting behind her, loudly exclaimed, "Sit down Madame! You Exaggerate!"

At the time, the instrument was unknown and there were no musicians, other than its inventor, who were competent to play it.

Although Rachmaninoff never wrote anything for the theremin, one of his compositions, VOCALISE, has become one of the standard transcription compositions for the instrument. In regard to this song, HOW FAIR THIS SPOT, written for piano and voice in 1901, I found the following information on the internet:

"Rachmaninoff and his wife were on their honeymoon when he composed the work, which, not surprisingly, he also dedicated to her. Moreover, he had recently recovered from a depression caused by the disastrous 1897 premiere of his Symphony No. 1, which undermined his confidence and ability to compose until the appearance in 1901 of his ever-popular Piano Concerto No. 2. This was obviously a blissful time in his life, then, true to his nature, Rachmaninoff was moved to write music here about romance and passion, leaving out the sunshine and merriment he must also have felt. The song features one of the composer's most soaring, beautiful vocal melodies that would not have been out of place in a slow movement of one of his concertos or symphonies. The accompaniment is appropriately subdued and just as romantic as the vocal line. The text, by G. Galina, describes a pastoral scene where young lovers have come to be alone with nature and themselves. This lovely song typically has a duration of just over two minutes."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• theremin
• sergei
• rachmaninoff
• how
• fair
• this
• spot
• szdes
• xorosho
• moog
• etherwave
• pro
• peter
• pringle

[klins061]

There's something to be said about the theremin. When in the context of being played skillfully in a serious classical setting, the theremin has one of the most beautiful sounds ever in my opinion. It's as though I were far away in the depths of space, gazing upon the swirling lights and colors of the Andromeda Galaxy.

It is the opposite of a mundane sound like the fiddle. It's more heavenly.

Suffice to say, this song is gorgeous. Bravissimo.

[yeapsystar]

Wow! Sounds great ... Sensitive and somehow romancit ;-)

[makeastand123]

The 24 years old russian boy who invented this instrument was a genius!!!!

[christineannemarsden]

@satchtmo Thank you - knowing how it is produced in no way interferes with the beauty!

[satchtmo]

@christineannemarsden the distance from the antenna adjusts the pitch, the distance from the arc sets the volume of the notes played. as he stirs with his right hand, it creates the vibrato, and as he plays theremin in a beautiful way, he defies the conceptions of all who have previously tried to.

[UnevenElefant5]

I don't understand how he's playing this.

[magisterludi92103a]

Well, I'll be damned !!!!!!

[EtherealTristesse]

I come here often to listen to this beautiful performance...

Every time, It lifts me to a beautiful place... THank you!

[Nhlvrnfla]

Peter, your playing and sensitivity bring tears to my eyes.

I played the very first time two weeks ago, and NOW I have even more apprecitation for your 'feeling' for the music. You are such a "SCHMALTZY" person, and that is what makes your playing so unreal. If I ever get my hands on another theremin, I will not let go.  Oh wait.....NOone gets his/her hands on a theremin. :) Thank you so much.

[casemanooo]

wow.

[EtherealTristesse]

What a beautiful performance... Utterly touching and celestial!

[bratniki]

@christineannemarsden You can find all informations in wikipaedia ;)