This concerto is one of the most often-performed in the world – its popularity helped along by a number of appearances in blockbuster films, especially of the haunting, emotional second movement.
Rachmaninov in about 1900 Photo: Public Domain
In 1900, when Sergei Rachmaninov started this towering masterpiece, he was in a state of deep gloom and depression, unable to compose anything after he’d been absolutely pilloried in the press for his First Symphony a couple of years before.
Thanks to a course of hypnotherapy from a man called Nikolai Dahl, he recovered and was once again able to smash out great melodies and crunchy piano parts. The Second Piano Concerto took him a couple of years and it was Rachmaninov’s comeback! He duly dedicated it to Nikolai Dahl.
It's notoriously difficult to play as the piece requires a large handspan, particularly in the first movement with its signature wide-spread piano chords. Rachmaninov's own hands were enormous - his span was 26cm, wide enough to play an interval of an octave and a fifth.
Recorded 6 September 2019, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Darryl Stack
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