I presented Movement 1 of this Piano Concerto masterpiece in October 2019, now I am excited to present to you Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 Mov. 2. This and Mozart’s Requiem are my 2 favourite classical pieces. This article because it is of the same ‘Concerto’ will be a repeat of my previous article:
Piano Concerto 2 in C Minor Op 18 premiered on November 9, 1901 and is one of his most enduring and popular pieces. It is said this piece established his fame as a concerto composer and saved his career. Its premiere was given to great acclaim in Moscow with the composer himself as piano soloist. I was a relative latecomer to appreciating Rachmaninoff, but I now listen to his music all the time. I first heard of Rachmaninoff and his music when academy award winner Geoffrey Rush wowed audiences playing David Helfgott in the Australian movie – Shine.
According to the Britannica.com web site: This piano concerto contains themes that, throughout the 20th century, which would be reborn as the melodies of several popular songs, including Frank Sinatra’s 1945 “Full Moon and Empty Arms” and Eric Carmen’s 1975 “All by Myself.” It was made most famous when set as the haunting motif of David Lean’s 1945 film Brief Encounter.
To get some sense why this Piano Concerto is so highly regarded one need only look at how it reshaped Rachmaninoff’s life. After the premiere of Rachmaninoff’s first symphony in 1897 he went into a deep depression. Although that symphony is now considered a significant achievement, the contemporary critics derided the Symphony. As wikipedia states: His second piano concerto confirmed his recovery from clinical depression and writer’s block, cured by courses of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy and helped by support from his family and friends. The concerto was dedicated to Nikolai Dahl, the physician who had done much to restore Rachmaninoff’s self-confidence.
The movie Shine seems to allude to what the Britanica article has to say regarding Rachmaninoff’s music not being for the faint of heart at least for the pianist:
As a virtuoso pianist, Rachmaninoff composed for the instrument not only according to his own tastes but to his own strengths as well. He was, for example, a tall and lanky man with an astonishing reach to his hands. Pianists of small proportions need not apply, and even those of average size will find his work challenging. The great pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy observed in an interview with England’s Gramophone magazine that for playing Rachmaninoff, he wishes his fingers were a centimeter longer. Moreover, as Rachmaninoff could play both lightning-fast runs and powerful chords with equal mastery, he includes both in his piano parts, requiring a highly varied technique.
The above article also contains a very detailed and illuminating breakdown of the Concerto which is well worth reading.
Listen below to Rachmaninoff play his beloved Piano Concerto 2, Mov. 2:
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
After the day I’ve just had I needed that Matt! Very enchanting. Oh yes, the movie Shine, I remember it vaguely. It would be a good movie to catch again. My health took a nose dive earlier, seems to have settled down now! I’m no expert on classical music but I know what I enjoy, it seems to touch you in places that other music forms cannot. Or maybe that’s just me….Cheers!
This piece is heavenly. Literally heaven to me. The first and last 2 minutes just put me into another realm. Apart from Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto ‘Adagio un Poco’, it’s the greatest audio I’ve ever heard. If it wasn’t for my Grandmother I probably wouldn’t be so enamoured with classical music. I’m glad you are feeling better.
Your Grandmother had good taste! Mozart and Beethoven I enjoy listening to them! Actually, whenever you post classical music, I know I’m in for a treat! Nice!
Nan, played lots of Mozart on piano. Damn I miss her. I haven’t seen Shine in a long while too. I posted on that movie.
Just remember Rachmaninoff Concerto 2 Mov 2. Haha. It is beyond words.
Thanks for your encouragement, Sharon.
Hi Matt, thought you might like this! I know you appreciate classical music. This is my favourite piece Mahler: Symphony No. 5 Adagietto. Always loved it. It’s long and moody. Enjoy!
I have to look up Mahler. I’m listening to to it now and I like it. My only criticism is it’s very violinistic. Is that even a word? It overdoes it’s welcome somehow and it’s drawn out as you alluded to. But there are just so many great parts in it. Thank you so much. Obviously he likes the violin haha
Interestingly Matt, the violin isn’t my favourite string instrument but on this piece I love. Sorry it didn’t knock your socks off. Have a look at Mahler’s other compositions, you might find something you prefer.
*love it*
I’m listening to it again right now. Gorgeous. Just give me a moment……It’s at six minutes and I’m feeling ok, I get it. The first 5 minutes is spectacular. But the strings. It sems to overdo that instrument.
OK fair enough, Matt.
It doesn’t mean I’m right. I love it. I just sent it out to family.
That’s nice!
Your beloved Grandmother lives on through your children Matthew! I’ll see if I can find ‘Shine’ somewhere.
Rachmaninoff is far and away my favorite composer, and “Piano Concerto No. 2”, along with his “Symphony No. 2” and “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, rank among my top 5 all-time favorite classical pieces.
Hi Jeff. Thanks for alluding me to those. I’m in no way a Classical music aficionado, and yet I have so many favourites. I’m now going to listen to “Symphony No. 2” and “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”. Thank you.
Here’s a post I wrote about “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” 3 years ago that you might find of interest: https://eclecticmusiclover.com/2020/04/19/song-of-the-day-challenge-day-5-sergei-rachmaninoff-rhapsody-on-a-theme-of-paganini/
I’m reading it now and listening to Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. There is so much going on in this. Very orchestral and musical. He’s intense. I loved Symphony 2 and added it to my collection. I think Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini will be going in there too. Thanks so much for enlightening me about these treasures.
Happy to turn you on to more Rachmaninoff, Matt. I was blown away when I first heard his “Symphony No. 2” way back in 1979. It was literally a revelation for me.
Sure thing, I’d be happy to receive more of the Rach! I’m listening to Symphony 2 again as I write this.