Sergei Rachmaninov - Cello Sonata in G minor

Sergei Rachmaninov

 

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff[a][b] (1 April [O.S. 20 March] 1873[c][d] – 28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor of the late Romantic period. The influence of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-korsakov, Balakirev, Mussorgsky, and other Russian composers is seen in his early works, later giving way to a personal style notable for song-like melodicism, expressiveness and rich orchestral colours.

Born into a musical family, Rachmaninoff took up the piano at the age of four. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1892, having already composed several piano and orchestral pieces. In 1897, following the negative critical reaction to his Symphony No. 1, Rachmaninoff entered a four-year depression and composed little until successful supportive therapy allowed him to complete his enthusiastically received Piano Concerto No. 2 in 1901. In the course of the next sixteen years, Rachmaninoff conducted at the Bolshoi Theatre, relocated to Dresden, Germany, and toured the United States for the first time. Rachmaninoff often featured the piano in his compositions, and he explored the expressive possibilities of the instrument through his own skills as a pianist.

Following the Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff and his family left Russia. They settled in New York City in 1918. With his main source of income coming from piano and conducting performances, demanding tour schedules led to a reduction in his time for composition. Between 1918 and 1943, he completed just six works, including the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Symphony No. 3, and Symphonic Dances. By 1942, his failing health led to his relocation to Beverly Hills, California. One month before his death from advanced melanoma, Rachmaninoff was granted American citizenship.

 

Cello Sonata in G minorPerformers: Natalia Gutman (cello), Elisso Virsaladze (piano)
- Year of recording: 2006

Cello Sonata in G minor Op. 19, written in 1901.

00:00 - I. Lento -- Allegro moderato (G minor)
12:50 - II. Allegro scherzando (C minor)
19:03 - III. Andante (E flat major)
25:19 - IV. Allegro mosso (G major)

Rachmaninov disliked calling this work a cello sonata because he thought the two instruments were equal. Because of this, it is often referred to as Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano. Most of the themes are introduced by the piano, while they are embellished[ 윤색하다] and expanded in the cello's part. The piece has a remarkable similarity with regard to thematic material and figurations, to his 1st Piano Sonata.

Rachmaninov dedicated it to Anatoliy Brandukov, who gave the first performance in Moscow with the composer at the piano, on 2 December 1901. Rachmaninov seems to have made some last-minute alterations after the premiere, as he wrote the date "12 December 1901" on the score.

The sonata was overshadowed by the huge success of his Piano Concerto No. 2, which premiered on 27 October 1901. Nonetheless, the Sonata is considered one of the most important works for cello in the 20th century. In this sonata he clearly explores the possibilities of the cello. The complex piano part is remarkable, because it has by no means the character of a simple piano accompaniment. Still, the contribution of the cello and the piano are actually expertly balanced and generally well alternated, though sometimes the emphasis seems to lie at the piano, especially if the pianist plays too loud. Perhaps this is the cause of the sonata being somewhat underperformed, cellists may fear to be 'overwhelmed' by the piano part.