April 1 - Sergei Rachmaninoff (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for April 1st may be found here: Sergei Rachmaninoff (2019), F. Melius Christiansen (2020), Alberta Hunter (2021), and Debbie Reynolds; Sergei Rachmaninoff (2022)

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Sergei Rachmaninoff (1 April [O.S. 20 March] 1873 – 28 March 1943) was, of course, one of the greatest pianists of his time, and remains one of the most beloved of all composers.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelfth Knight

The size of Rachmaninoff’s hand,

And the twelfth it reportedly spanned,

Causes pain for the wretch

Who is lacking that stretch,

But it’s part of Rachmaninoff’s brand.

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Three Variations on a “Theme” of Rachmaninoff

(1)

When Rachmaninoff gets up the steam

To deliver the movement’s “Big Theme,”

It can seem kind of crude

If you’re not in the mood

For emotions as viscous as cream.

(2)

The emotional pitch is extreme,

Then enters the movement’s “Big Theme.”

He pulls out the stops

With the lachrymose props

Of the musical Russian regime.

(3)

There are those on the critical team

Who disparage the sweeping “Big Theme.”

Is it part of the job

To react as a snob,

And belittle what the people esteem?

 

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You CAN Do It!

Here’s the thing every pianist should know

Concerning the Etudes-Tableaux:

They call for technique

At the tippy-top peak,

If you’ve got it, well, give them a go!

 

 

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