The title of these sets of studies suggest some kind of picture-pieces, but Rachmaninoff never wanted to disclose what he had wanted to depict: he said that he preferred to let the pieces âpaint for themselvesâ. Op. 33 was originally meant to comprise nine pieces, but the composer decided to publish only six of them in 1911.
Numbers 3 and 5 were published posthumously; number 4 was revised and reappeared as Op. 39 No. 6.
Op. 39, published in 1917, is the last substantial composition written by Rachmaninoff while still in Russia. Itâs clearly influenced by Rachmaninoffâs younger contemporaries Prokofiev and Scriabin.
Rachmaninoff had studied Scriabin´s works intensely to prepare a memorial recital (Scriabin died in 1915).
