Rach Sonata #2 - Op. 36

[Legato]

What do people think of this piece?  I enjoy the first movement the best.  The second is pleasing as well, but the other day when I was listening to it, I got the feeling it sounded like lounge music.  Weird...

Anyone who has played this have an opinion on the difficulty?  I was browsing the sheet and it looked challenging.  It looked hard to memorize!

-Rob  

[eViLben]

as i already mentionned this is my favorite all time piece of music. this is simply perfect. if you are not convinced, listen to Horowitz version live at Carnegie Hall : full of emotion, power and deepness. actually i'm not good enough to start learning it, maybe i will in 3 or 4 years.
btw the score is f****** scaring ^^


Ben

[Legato]

Ben - I thought you said the 2nd concerto was your favorite?

,
Rob

[liszmaninopin]

I love this Sonata.  If you enjoy this one, you'd also probably enjoy Rach's First Sonata.  They are both fabulous.  Indeed the score to op. 36 is intimidating looking and can be hard to sight-read.  I find it rather fun to play through those sections of this piece that I have memorized.  I've been working more on the first sonata recently, though.

[Legato]

I've put this one on the back burner for now.  It's something that I eventually would like to learn eventually, but I've already commited to some other pieces first one of which is Rachmaninoff's Moment's Musicaux #1.  I'm having a great time with it.  The bass clef melody is challenging to bring out, but fun.  My left hand feels like it is dancing through the whole middle section.

I'll check out Sonata #1 as well; it sounds delicious.

Rob

[liszmaninopin]

It really is!  I can provide a link to a website with a reasonably good recording (of the Sonata #1) if you'd like me to.

[Legato]

please

[liszmaninopin]

https://www.webconcerthall.com/archive/artist/mijung/

If you try the link and it doesn't work, send me a private message and I can try to email you the file, as I have it saved.

[Legato]

All I can say is wow!  I can't believe I never listened to this piece before.  Thank you so very much for the link.

All 3 movements are excellent.  Perhaps the most fascinating thing about this piece is that is was written in Dresden in 1907-1908.  He composed this and the second symphony (Op. 27) simultaneously.  Although, I'm not a huge fan of the symphony form, I'm anxious to hear that now as well.

Dresden during the time was the 4th largest city in Germany and a hot bed for artistry and culture.  From what I understand he wintered there a number of times and was quite fond of it, more so than Italy.  Perhaps his fondness for Germany is what saddened him so much about the war, inspiring him to compose a plea for peace with the Vespers in 1915?

Finally, I thought I heard some melodies reminiscent of the 3rd concerto in there, which he must of started shortly after his time in Dresden (if not while he was there) because he completed opus 30 in 1909.  Both pieces are in D minor too.

Rob

[liszmaninopin]

Which sonata do you prefer, the first or second?  It is a curious coincidence that both this and the 3rd concerto are in d minor.

[Legato]

Prefer?  Hmm, this is a tough one.  I'll have to give this some more thought.  I think each one pleases me in its own way.  I'll get back to you.

Rob