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Topic: Rachmaninov piano concerto n.2 - the second piano part (Read 2241 times)

pianola22

PS Silver Member
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Posts: 1

Rachmaninov piano concerto n.2 - the second piano part

on: July 11, 2017, 01:49:24 PM

Hi there!

I'm new to this place, it seems very nice! I have two questions.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever come across any piano reduction of the Rachmaninov second piano concerto orchestral part, other than done by the composer himself? In other, words did anyone apart from Rachmaninov himself ever try to reduce the orchestra part for the second piano? And the second question is what do you think of the Rachmaninov's reduction for the second piano? I presume it's supposed to be good and playable since Rach was a pianist himself...

Thank you, thank you!!

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pianoman1349

Jr. Member
Posts: 99

Re: Rachmaninov piano concerto n.2 - the second piano part

Reply #1 on: July 11, 2017, 08:18:14 PM

I'm not aware of a different reduction other than the one Rachmaninov made himself.

It's a good reduction for the most part. No matter what happens tho, the opening will never sound as good as an orchestra, as a second piano is woefully inadequate to replicate the sound of a full string section. It's definitely playable as is -- and is one of the better reductions of concertos out there. (the third movement, imo, is very well arranged and especially effective in performance). Many pianists might add notes (octave doublings) to increase sound and richness in the big climaxes with large orchestra themes

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visitor

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Posts: 5294

Re: Rachmaninov piano concerto n.2 - the second piano part

Reply #2 on: July 13, 2017, 04:27:02 PM

i'm w previous poster, i don't know of any other reduction specirfically of the 2nd piano part as a solo you mean?
I have a rare version of all 3 movements arranged as a piano solo (from an obscure arrangements album from the 1940's) with some of the texture thinned out to make it more of a 1p 2hands type work but it cuts some sections out, so there are places 2nd piano/orchestra makes appearance as 'solo; but just in sections where piano 1 would not be playing much/at all.

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