Sergei rachmaninoff piano concerto no. 3

Sergei Rachmaninoff 's Piano Concerto No. Rachmaninoff composed the concerto in Dresden [ 5 ] completing it on September 23, Owing to its difficulty, the concerto is respected, even feared, by many pianists. Josef Hofmann , the pianist to whom the work is dedicated, never publicly performed it, saying that it "wasn't for" him. Gary Graffman lamented he had not learned this concerto as a student, when he was "still too young to know fear".

Due to time constraints, Rachmaninoff could not practice the piece while in Russia. Instead, he practiced it on a silent keyboard that he brought with him while en route to the United States.

Rachmaninoff piano concertos

The work received a second performance under Gustav Mahler on January 16, , an "experience Rachmaninoff treasured". At that time Mahler was the only conductor whom I considered worthy to be classed with Nikisch. He devoted himself to the concerto until the accompaniment, which is rather complicated, had been practiced to perfection, although he had already gone through another long rehearsal.

According to Mahler, every detail of the score was important — an attitude too rare amongst conductors. Though the rehearsal was scheduled to end at , we played and played, far beyond this hour, and when Mahler announced that the first movement would be rehearsed again, I expected some protest or scene from the musicians, but I did not notice a single sign of annoyance.

Rachmaninoff piano concerto no 1

The orchestra played the first movement with a keen or perhaps even closer appreciation than the previous time. The score was first published in by Gutheil. Rachmaninoff called the Third the favorite of his own piano concertos, stating that "I much prefer the Third, because my Second is so uncomfortable to play. Public opinion regarding the Third Concerto was mixed following the premiere in New York.

On November 30, , two days after the premiere, a critic for the New York Sun wrote "Sound, reasonable music this, though not a great nor memorable proclamation.