Rachmaninoff Suites 1-2 Value Pak

This Value Pack includes Rachmaninoff’s Fantaisie-tableaux (Suite No. 1), Op. 5 and Suite No. 2, Op. 17.

 

Fantaisie-tableaux (Suite No. 1), the large four-movement work, was written in 1893 and premiered by Rachmaninoff and Pavel Pabst in Moscow. It is dedicated to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. A few lines of poetry by Romantic poets preface each movement. The theme of love in the first two movements is brought to life by the two pianos with colorful, passionate writing. The final two movements feature the sound of bells---the third movement inspired by cathedrals bells that Rachmaninoff heard as a youngster, and the fourth movement capturing the jubilant sound of Easter carillon.

 

Suite No. 2, Op. 17 was written between 1900 and 1901, and was premiered in 1901 by Rachmaninoff and Alexander Siloti. This virtuosic suite is orchestral in nature and contains four movements. The first movement serves as a march-like introduction, and the second and fourth movements are dances---a waltz and tarantella. Between the two dances is a slow third movement. Two copies required for performance.