Preludes & Elégie From Opp. 3, 23, 32; Variations On A Theme By Corelli, Op. 42

Rachmaninoff, Sergei / Preludes and Elégie from Opp. 2, 23 &32;
Variations on a Theme by Corelli, Op. 42. Vassily Primakov, piano
Label: Bridge Records

Larry K.
Reviewed 2011-06-04

1. Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) is known for achingly beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, lush musical textures, drama, passion, technical challenge and brilliant development of themes. All are in evidence here, and Vassily Primakov makes the lines sing and the spirit celebrate. Rachmaninoff premiered the Prelude in C# minor, Op. 3, No. 2, with its tolling bells, in Moscow on 26 September 1892, and subsequently, audiences never ceased to demand it as an encore (to the composer’s discomfiture). He ultimately composed 24 preludes, one in each major and minor key, emulating Chopin, who was emulating Bach. The ten in Op. 23, dedicated to his cousin, Alexander Siloti (a great pianist, conductor and teacher) were composed 1901-1903, and the 13 in Op. 32 all in 1910. The 20 Corelli Variations Op. 42 (1931) are Rachmaninoff’s last solo piano composition (in D min, except for 2 lyric variations in Db). The variations explore the 16th cent. Portuguese slow dance theme, “La Folia,” utilized by many other composers, and include sumptuous melody, chromatic counterpoint producing chromatic harmonic motion, incisive rhythms, fervor, lyricism, excitement and release.

1. Prelude in Bb maj. Op. 23. No. 2 (4:16). Tempestuous.
2. Elégie in Eb min, Op. 3, No. 1 (6:44). Sustained melancholy.
3. Prelude in G# min, Op. 32. No. 12 (3:01). Shimmering figuration, over a deeply lyric left-hand melody one wants to sing
4. Prelude in G min, Op. 23, No. 5 (4:33). Quite famous. A brilliant military march in the outer sections and an ecstatic lyric melody in the middle.
5. Prelude in D maj, Op. 23, No. 4 (5:42). A love song, richly embellished
6. – 27. Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42 (20:42).

28. Prelude in E maj, Op. 32. No. 3 (3:04). Sunlit, full of energy, joy.
29. Prelude in G maj, Op. 32, No. 5 (3:36). Gorgeous melody over rich figure
30. Prelude in E min, Op. 32, No. 4 (6:30). Energetic, clangorous bells, sad
31. Prelude in Bb min, Op. 32, No. 2 (3:35). Passionate, protesting, melancholy
32. Prelude in Eb maj, Op. 23, No. 6 (3:16). Warmly emotional theme.
33. Prelude in B min, Op. 32, No. 10 (7:19), In a ghostly churchyard, heroic figures arise, recount their struggles and subside, at peace.
34. Prelude in C# min, Op. 3, No. 2 (4:28). A few unusual rhythmic groupings in this performance, rather than rhythmically “straight.”