Rachmaninoff Morceaux de Fantasie Op. 3

[iumonito]

Hi all,

I am fixing to learn these five pieces after my next recital and I want to gather some intelligence in advance.

Do you know anything about the extramusical inspiration of any of these pieces?  Polichinelle must have something more than just the character from Goldoni, via la Comedie Francaise.

I will be looking for Rachmaninov biographies (I have not read one yet) but in the meantime, do you know anything about Rachmaninoff playing these in his early days in Russia?  Are the pieces we know today revised versions, like that of the First Concerto (a vastly improved work from the original version, which was formally clumsy)?  When Rachmaninov performed them, did he treat them as separate items, or like a 5-part unit?  Should a period-practice conscious performance encourage or discourage applause between the pieces?

Any ideas are welcome.  I have the rolls played in an electronic reproducing Bose, but would love to hear if you know of recordings you think worth noting.  3.2 of course is all over the place, but the other four are quite neglected little pieces (perhaps for a reason?)

Thanks.
IU.

[nanabush]

I think the 'prelude' is based on some guy in a coffin, still alive trying to get out... I swear I've heard that a couple of times!

[m]

There are two main sources on Rachmaninov, first--"Letters", and second a book called "Rachmaninov in Memories of Contemporaries". No idea if they were translated from Russian, but those would give you the most idea as for Rachmaninov as a person, as well as many facts about many things of his life. Also, it'd put a lot of light on his work.

As for his recordings... well every single one is a jewel, even though I don't agree with some of his interpretations. There would be way too many to list. Just get a full RCA 10 CD set. You can't go wrong with that.

Just a little note of warning. In my opinion, there were only three pianists in the last century which I'd consider as the "greatests ever". Rachmaninov (again, IMO) was one of them, so use this information with extreme caution, keeping in mind I am quite baised in this case.

[minstrel]

I don't know how Rachmaninoff performed it, but I know pianists of his era much freely performed selections of sets, not necessarily the whole thing. I think op.5 plays nicely as a set, and for the listener is still very comprehensible, without being overburdening. (I have some disagreements about performing the preludes op 23, or 32 as a complete set.. as I find it a bit much, and perhaps not necessarily in line with the intentions of the composer)

Good luck!