Today I want to share with you Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.” Niccolo Paganini, Italian violin virtuoso and composer, wrote 24 capriccios for violin – 24 very short but extremely difficult pieces to play. I feel like they were written for the performers, not the listeners – they are as difficult to listen to as they are to play (at least in large doses).
Sergey Rachmaninoff took themes from these capriccios and basically wrote a concerto for piano and orchestra. If you don’t listen to the whole rhapsody, you should at least give variation no. 18 a chance – as my son Jonah said last week, “This is the most beautiful piece of music ever written!” Last Friday the kids and I listened to probably a dozen different performances of this variation.
Variation 18 – played by Rachmaninoff:
Variation 18 – played by Arthur Rubenstein
Variation 18 – played by Liberace, his own improvised version
Orchestra in 1968. This video is very special for several reasons. First, Stokowski was the conductor when the piece debuted in 1934 with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Rachmaninoff playing piano. You would think his understanding of this music was better than anyone else’s. Second, it gives a very interesting glimpse into the role the conductor plays in the orchestra. My kids always ask me why the conductor matters, and this video answers that question so well: the conductor is the interpreter of the music.
You can listen to the original 1934 recording here.
Stokowsky video is a master work on conducting. Thanks for sharing. The others are great, too.
I was just thinking about this piece and wondering when you were going to post it! In the same vein, may I recommend Brahms’ Variations on a Theme By Haydn? It’s one of the pieces that first drew me to classical music.
I have ‘discovered’ your ‘My Favorite Classical Music’ site through a friend. I enjoy classical music but am ignorant about it. Your site represents a master class! Thanks!
I sight read this piece for the 1st time in Oct 2019 (1st violin section). It is as much fun to play as it is to listen. And I agree with Jonah (Vitaliy’s son). Variation 18 is the most beautiful melody I have ever heard.
And I agree with Jonah (Vitaliy’s son). Variation 18 is the most beautiful melody I have ever heard.
I played every piece and enjoyed them all. The melody reaches into your heart. The master class on conducting was especially interesting because one forgets how many instruments it takes to make a truly magical presentation.
The Leo Stowkowsky rehearsal video was “goose bump” material.