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Rachmaninov for beginners

Rachmaninov is a composer that I've tried to listen to on a few occasions but never been able to get into. I have this nagging feeling that I might not have started out with the right piece, but then again, it's also possible that his music is just not my cup of tea.

This morning while watching Sesame street with my daughter they featured a Chinese born pianist, whose name I think was something like Lang Lang or Ling Ling, and he played a beautiful piece of Rachmaninov music.

So now I'm thinking I should give it another try. I love piano music, and I prefer orchestral to chamber or solo (so think Piano concertos). I also like my classical music romantic .. Brahms, Schumann, some Beethoven, some Dvorak, some Mozart (Piano conc. no 20 in particular). I don't like overt displays of virtuosity ... the music comes first.

Are there Rachmaninov experts out there who could offer a suggestion for an introductory piece ?

Many thanks

Sean
seandtaylor99

Showing 3 responses by seandtaylor99

seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
Thanks all.

this CD looks like just the ticket, and at $8.00 will not break the bank.

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=74012

(Another shameless plug for archivmusic, with which I have no affiliation other than being a fan).
seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
I have seen Shine on two occasions. It is a great movie, but since I was not familiar with the Rachmaninov music prior to seeing it I rather ignored the music, focussing on the story instead.

Perhaps in a few months time I will watch it another time.
seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
Thanks for a great thread everyone.
I will also look for the Cello sonata as piano and cello are my two favorite solo intruments for concertos.

Marco, I have a very old LP of saint Saens Piano concerto no 2. I really like the opening movement, but for me it falls apart after that. It's one thing to change the mood of a piece, but this particular change leaves me rather cold.

Rob Mozart PC no 20 is really great, but if I had only one movement of one concerto to take to my desert island it would have to be the slow movement (second) of Beethoven's piano conc. no 5 (Emperor). The 1st and 3rd movements are pleasant and have nice moments, but the adagio is just sublime. Whenever I've had a bad day I can count on that piece to transport me far away.

thanks again everyone
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