Prelude in G minor (Rachmaninoff): Difference between revisions
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== Arrangements == |
== Arrangements == |
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In preparation for his second album Echoes, one-handed pianist [[Nicholas McCarthy (pianist)|Nicholas McCarthy]] arranged the G minor prelude for the Left Hand Alone. He asked fellow pianist and arranger [[Artur Cimirro]] to arrange the Poco Meno Mosso section. Cimirro responded by creating a complete arrangement of the Prelude.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mastermusicpublications.com/product/rachmaninov_prelude_op23_no5_left_hand/|title=Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music|last=Publications|first=Master Music|date=2020-04-26|website=mastermusicpublications.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFBO1V9RNQs|title=RACHMANINOV FOR THE LEFT HAND ALONE - Prelude Op.23 No.5 (Cimirro)|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> McCarthy's recording featured Cimirro’s arrangement of the middle section and his own for the outer parts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwbPtRl9fDM|title=10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 in G Minor (Arr. by Nicholas McCarthy)|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mastermusicpublications.com/product/rachmaninov_prelude_op23_no5_left_hand/|title=Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music|last=Publications|first=Master Music|date=2020-04-26|website=mastermusicpublications.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Both arrangements are published by Master Music Publications.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mastermusicpublications.com/product/rachmaninov_prelude_op23_no5_left_hand/|title=Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music|last=Publications|first=Master Music|date=2020-04-26|website=mastermusicpublications.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> |
In preparation for his second album Echoes, one-handed pianist [[Nicholas McCarthy (pianist)|Nicholas McCarthy]] arranged the G minor prelude for the Left Hand Alone. He asked fellow pianist and arranger [[Artur Cimirro]] to arrange the Poco Meno Mosso section. Cimirro responded by creating a complete arrangement of the Prelude.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mastermusicpublications.com/product/rachmaninov_prelude_op23_no5_left_hand/|title=Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music|last=Publications|first=Master Music|date=2020-04-26|website=mastermusicpublications.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFBO1V9RNQs|title=RACHMANINOV FOR THE LEFT HAND ALONE - Prelude Op.23 No.5 (Cimirro)|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> McCarthy's recording featured Cimirro’s arrangement of the middle section and his own for the outer parts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwbPtRl9fDM|title=10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 in G Minor (Arr. by Nicholas McCarthy)|last=|first=|date=|website=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mastermusicpublications.com/product/rachmaninov_prelude_op23_no5_left_hand/|title=Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music|last=Publications|first=Master Music|date=2020-04-26|website=mastermusicpublications.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> Both arrangements are published by [[Master Music Publications]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mastermusicpublications.com/product/rachmaninov_prelude_op23_no5_left_hand/|title=Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music|last=Publications|first=Master Music|date=2020-04-26|website=mastermusicpublications.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
Revision as of 21:45, 29 April 2020
The first measure introduces the prelude's idiosyncratic jumps.
Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5, is a piece of music by Sergei Rachmaninoff, completed in 1901.[1] It was included in his Opus 23 set of ten preludes, despite having been written two years earlier than the other nine. Rachmaninoff himself premiered the piece in Moscow on February 10, 1903, along with Preludes No. 1 and 2 from Op. 23.[1]
Structure
The Prelude's taut structure is in ternary form, consisting of an opening "A" section with punctuated sixteenth-note chords (marked: Alla marcia, march), a more lyrical and melancholy "B" section with sweeping arpeggios in the left hand (marked: Poco meno mosso), a transition into the original tempo, and a recapitulation of the initial march.
The Alla marcia section is in itself in ternary ABA form. Within the first three measures of the Prelude, Rachmaninoff introduces the unifying factors of the piece (notwithstanding the Poco meno mosso section). First, the chordal march of measure one; second, the fragment on the second half of the beat in measure two; third, the fragment on the second half of beat two in measure three.
Measures 2 and 3
Measures 1–9 expand on the march theme. Following a cadence in the dominant, the section repeats in measures 10–16 with slight alterations and concludes in a G minor perfect cadence.
The "B" subsection of the Alla marcia section (measures 17–24) mirrors the rhythm of the first measure, presenting a sequence of related chords beginning with E♭.
Measures 17 and 18
In contrast to the Alla marcia, the "B" section introduces a lyrical chordal melody over an extended arpeggiated figure. Beginning in measure 35, a two-measure phrase is repeated and then serially extended in measures 39–41. A counter melody appears at measure 42 in the middle voice, intensifying the passage.
Measures 35–36
Measure 42
Following the middle section, the Prelude transitions to a recapitulation of the march section by gradual increases in tempo and dynamics. The section uses of chromatically upward moving chords following embellished diminished seventh figures.
Measure 72
Finally, the piece ends in a highly original way: a short arpeggiated run to a high G, marked pianissimo.
Measure 84
Recordings
Emil Gilels played this prelude at a front in World War II, in support for the Soviet military forces fighting in the war. The narrator says (in Russian): "Gilels is playing at the front, to remind us what the war is worth fighting for: Immortal music!"[2]
This prelude is one of the most performed and recorded pieces of the Op. 23 set.
Arrangements
In preparation for his second album Echoes, one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy arranged the G minor prelude for the Left Hand Alone. He asked fellow pianist and arranger Artur Cimirro to arrange the Poco Meno Mosso section. Cimirro responded by creating a complete arrangement of the Prelude.[3][4] McCarthy's recording featured Cimirro’s arrangement of the middle section and his own for the outer parts.[5][6] Both arrangements are published by Master Music Publications.[7]
References
- ^ a b Norris, Geoffrey (1993). Rachmaninoff. Schirmer Books. p. 170.
- ^ "Gilels – Prelude Op 23 No 5 – Rachmaninoff". YouTube. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ Publications, Master Music (2020-04-26). "Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music". mastermusicpublications.com. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
- ^ "RACHMANINOV FOR THE LEFT HAND ALONE - Prelude Op.23 No.5 (Cimirro)". YouTube.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 in G Minor (Arr. by Nicholas McCarthy)". YouTube.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Publications, Master Music (2020-04-26). "Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music". mastermusicpublications.com. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
- ^ Publications, Master Music (2020-04-26). "Rachmaninov G minor Prelude Arr. Left Hand Sheet Music". mastermusicpublications.com. Retrieved 2020-04-29.
External links
- Opus 23: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project