Sergey Rachmaninoff
Élégie
in E-flat Minor, Op. 3 No. 1
from Morceaux de Fantaisie

Quietly mournful, but with a grand climax appearing in the middle, the Élégie remains characteristically Rachmaninoffian throughout.

ID: 1874
Key: E-flat Minor
Year: 1892
Level: 8
Period: Late Romantic
piano sheet music Piano score: Scanned score Download
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Lament with a Grand Russian Climax

A heavy sense of pathos runs through the Élégie in E flat minor, underlining what is already suggested by its title – an elegy often serving as a lament for the dead. The quietly mournful beginning, with its lonely melody singing over left-hand arpeggios spanning multiple octaves, is evocative of the Nocturnes written by Chopin, whom Rachmaninoff admired. Nevertheless, the piece remains characteristically Rachmaninoffian throughout, with bell-like sonorities and a grand, distinctly Russian climax appearing during the middle of the piece.
Though challenging, the piece is approachable for amateur pianists of some skill. A powerful interpretation makes full use of the dynamic contrasts between the piece’s different sections as well as between the right and left hand, as indicated by the composer.

Background

The légie is the first of the five pieces of the Morceaux de fantaisie Op. 3, which also includes the famous Prelude in C sharp minor Op. 3 no. 2. The set was composed in 1892 when Rachmaninoff was 19 years old (the same year he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory) and was dedicated to Anton Arensky, his harmony teacher.


Forum posts about this piece:

Pieces with dramatic climaxes by tenpasten
Hi guys, I’m new to this forum and would love some suggestions for pieces with loud and intense climaxes. To give you an idea of what I’...

Rachmaninoff Elégie: Overlapping Hands by devbanana
I'm working through the Elégie by Rachmaninoff, Op 3 no 1. Most of it hasn't been that bad, but there's a part towards the e...

What to play? by artlin02
Hi! After summer (2018) I'm starting the swedish equivalent of high school, and since I live in the city I've got like 50 ones to ...

Which piece to chose by artlin02
Hi, I'm new on pianosteet. I've resently played Elegy (Rachmaninov) and Grande Valse Brillante (Chopin). Now looking for a new pi...

Rachmaninoff Elegy - fingering in second section by mozart27
Hey guys so actually I am practising Rachmaninoff Elegy Op.3 No.1 and I was thinking about fingering at the third page that part when comple...

Should I stop taking piano lessons? I've lost motivation and teacher problem. by schnitzel
Hello! I'm almost 19 years old and I play for four years on piano (And I used to play as a child). I'm currently learning Rachmani...

Rachmaninovs Elegy by andrea7
Hi! I fell in love with this piece, but i can´t find sheet music with fingering, it takes a long time for me to find good fingering, does a...


Member's recordings of piece:

[Video] Rachmaninoff - Elegie Op. 3, No. 1 by lafo
Recently I started to play this amazing piece by Rachmaninoff again. Looking forward to your comments and suggestions for improvement :) Hap...

[Video] Rachmaninoff plays Elegie Op. 3 No. 1 by lafo
Title says it all :) Hope you like it! youtu.be/3EeDMvotg9E...

Rachmaninoff Elegie- Prelude- Video Merkin Hall by chopinaninoff
I have an upcoming concert on these two pieces. any suggestions? My technique is not so great, Ive only been playing for two and a half year...


Members who like this piece have also downloaded:

DOWNLOAD: Sergey Rachmaninoff - Elégie Op. 3 No. 1 in E-flat Minor ( from Morceaux de Fantaisie by Rachmaninoff). Piano sheet music to print immediately or to view in mobile devices.
Sergey Rachmaninoff, who was one of the prominent composers active in the Late Romantic era, wrote this piece titled "Elégie"Op. 3 No. 1 in E-flat Minor from Morceaux de Fantaisie. The composition is categorized as "Piece" in the sheet music library and the level of difficulty in the piano music database is 8.