Sergey Rachmaninoff
Prelude
in C-sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2
from Morceaux de Fantaisie

The musical content of this immensely popular Prelude is actually really simple, but so far it hasn’t lost any of its massive effect!

ID: 80
Key: C-sharp Minor
Year: 1892
Level: 8
Period: Late Romantic
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piano music mp3 recording Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 - FREE SAMPLE (mp3 file)

"The Bells of Moscow"

It is tempting to describe this piece in terms of paradox: it sounds sensationally virtuosic and looks very difficult to play—both in terms of the score’s layout and in the gestures and movements required by the pianist—yet it by no means belongs to the most difficult piano repertoire, and is often approached and mastered by advanced amateur pianists. Its musical content is really simple and could perhaps even be called thin, but so far it hasn’t lost any of its massive effect, and promises to live on and speak as powerfully to future generations. The atmosphere of the first section may be likened to a solemn procession or ritual; in contrast, the chromatic sequential phrases in the second section (measures 14-42) are almost frantic. When the first theme returns, it is in “a mood of grandeur and power, as if illustrating the inevitable survival of some great and mighty truth” (Godowsky), but the Coda returns to the mysterious and reflective atmosphere - as if the question posed at the beginning is left unanswered after all.

“...One day the prelude simply came and I put it down. It came with such force that I could not shake it off even though I tried to do so. It had to be - so there it was”


Background

Rachmaninoff composed the Prelude in C-sharp minor in the late summer of 1892, at the age of 18, and first performed it at the Moscow Electric Exhibition in September of 1892. This was the beginning of the career of one of the world’s most popular piano pieces - it shortly became known simply as "The Prelude." Audiences would clamor for it by shouting "C-sharp minor!" while applauding other pieces, and even towards the end of Rachmaninoff’s career it was reported that no recital of his ever ended without this prelude as a final encore.


Forum posts about this piece:

"Easy" modern pieces by romanticperiod
Hi all, I'm currently learning Ligeti's Arc en Ciel and am looking for something similar to learn next (Schönberg op11 no2 is somet...

First Piano Concerto by adariation
I have been searching for a piano concerto to tackle and perform in a year or so. I haven't played a piano concerto before, and the only...

Piano Repertoire by adariation
Hello there, I am preparing an audition repertoire consisting of 2 pieces. I was searching for a piano piece that could show the softness of...

What should i learn next? by hxzerrr
Hi everybody! I’m new to this forum. I’m a quite advanced piano studend. I need to start a new repertoire for this summer, any suggestio...

Next step after Rachmaninov prelude in C-sharp minor by romanticperiod
Hi, I've nearly completed the prelude in C-sharp minor by Rachmaninov and I'm wondering what a good piece is to learn next. Does any...

Tips for Rachmaninoff prelude in C minor by tiberiuszgo
Hi so I managed to play the first part of it in  2 days and slowly learning the next. They say that is impressive for a new piano playe...

Chopin Pieces by zenyatt
I want to learn a Chopin piece that is close to my technical level, I've played the whole Beethoven Piano Sonata no. 8 (Pathetique), Ra...

Tips for easy Rachmaninoff pieces that sound good? by slurred_beat
I want to play more Rachmaninoff but some of his pieces are very difficult. Do you have some tips for easy Rachmaninoff pieces that sound go...

This musicbasics guy on yt by urmother149
has anyone else seen this guy on their recommended because and i hate to sound too elitist but something just annoys me about him. he's...

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Looking for some more dark piano pieces, something with a creepy vibe or heavy bass. Need recommendations. Something I always enjoyed playi...

Repertoire recommendations for intermediate-advanced student by fcb_havke
Hello, I am looking for suggestions on a new piece to play. I have just finished playing Rachmaninoff's prelude in C-Sharp minor op.3 ...

What to learn after Rach C# Minor? by sparoz
I have just finished the prelude - not quite at concert standard yet and a bit of polishing to do, but my teacher wants a new piece.  S...

Why are pieces written in C# minor so popular? by roshankakiya123
Examples: Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 (played by Vladimir Horowitz): [YouTube]www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu...

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Hi everyone. This is my first post on an account made solely for this question: why can't I voice with my fourth finger? Specifically i...

Prelude in C# Minor fingering.. by salim
I found that I have two ways (that are comfortable for me) to play the chords, but I'm wondering if I should stick to how it is on the ...

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I studied for quite some time, but had a long break due to building a career and family. I'm sure I'll never get back to the level...

What Rachmaninoff piece to learn next? ("Essential" Rach pieces?) by ffchopinist
I "graduated" from a few pieces recently and have been researching some ideas on what to learn next. I'd really love some rec...

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What would you recomend to a student to play next if he plays pieces like Rachmaninoff - Moment Musical op. 16 N. 4, Rachmaninoff - prelude ...

Is soft pedalling cheating? by mjames
Well I always knew about the soft pedal but I only just recently begun to use it... See even if I play PPPPPP on rachs prelude op.3 no. 2 t...

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Member's recordings of piece:

Rachmaninoff Prelude in C# Minor by roger.s piano
youtu.be/tmKlOBey6tE...

[Video] Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C sharp minor op. 3 no 2 by samuel.saarikivi
Hi  :) Here's my performance of Rach's prelude in C sharp minor from last November. Hope you'll like it! www.youtube...

[Video] Rachmaninoff - Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C sharp minor by lafo
Haven`t played this for a few years.. yesterday i decided to record it and see how it sounds on the Bechstein haha :D Hope you`ll find it en...

Moscow Bells(Sergie Rachmaninoff) by bharatbash
Greetings everyone! I am a self taught player, in awe of Rachmaninoff. I managed to play the main motif of his Prelude in C sharp minor on ...

Rachmaninoff Prelude in C Sharp Minor (My Perfomance) by kentodragon
Please tell me what you think of my interpretation of this piece. Tips and advice are appreciated ...


Members who like this piece have also downloaded:

Sergey Rachmaninoff: Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C-sharp Minor from Morceaux de Fantaisie - piano sheet music to print instantly. This piece is level 8 and was composed during the Late Romantic period.
This piece is composed by Sergey Rachmaninoff and was published in 1892. Title: Prelude, Op. 3 No. 2 in C-sharp Minor from Morceaux de Fantaisie. The difficulty level if graded by ABRSM would be approximately 8 and it belongs to the Late Romantic period.