Paganini variation 18 rachmaninoff biography

Title:Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, op.43

Composer:Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Last time performed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic:Last performed February 23, 2019 with Ken-David Masur conducting and soloist Ran Dank. In addition to a solo piano, this piece is scored for piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, harp and strings.

The Story: Rachmaninoff begins hisRhapsody on a Theme of Paganiniby turning the traditional theme and variation form on its head. The theme is broken up into tiny points, punctuated by the pianist, and it’s not until a bit later, once we hear the theme itself, sung in unison by violins and accompanied by the piano, that we realize that the spicy opening was just an appetizer. The next few variations keep the theme recognizable, but add ever-increasing complex