Rach3 and Le Festin D'esope

[alpacinator1]

I just noticed that the opening of Rach3 sounds very similar to the theme of Alkan's Le Festin D'esope.

Do you think Rachmaninoff borrowed that melody from Alkan?

Am I just overthinking this or have any of you noticed this as well?

[jakev2.0]

Yep, they are a bit similar, though to me Alkan's sounds distinctly Hassidic/Hebraic/Jewish whilst Rachmaninoff's sounds Russian/Slavic.

I think they're both spontaneous and original creations.

[mephisto]

Yep, they are a bit similar, though to me Alkan's sounds distinctly Hassidic/Hebraic/Jewish .

Why do you think it sound particulary hasidic? Indeed it sound jewish/habraic, but distinctly hasidic? Does hasidic music differ much from other european jewish music?

[alpacinator1]

Yes, the two pieces are definately different. But I just think the first few seconds of each of them sound quite similar. Not EXACTLY the same, but similar.