Whether you’re new to the piece or already a fan, here’s all you need to know about Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony!
Featured in concert at Huddersfield Town Hall on Thursday 25 September.
Who was the composer?
Often referred to as the last great Russian romantic, Sergei Rachmaninov was born in Russia on 1 April 1873, the third child of a wealthy aristocratic family. His father Vasily Arkadievich Rachmaninov was first and foremost a military man, but he was also a keen amateur pianist. Sergei followed in his father’s footsteps, starting to learn the piano when he was just four years of age. It was the start of a musical journey that would see Rachmaninov become one of the most sought-after pianists of his day.
When Rachmaninov left the Moscow Conservatory after completing his studies in 1892, he had already composed several pieces including his first Piano Concerto. While the influences of other composers are still evident in these works, over time his pieces developed a flavour of their own, with their emphasis on melody, rich orchestration and emotional intensity.
Sergei Rachmaninov
When was the Second Symphony written?
Rachmaninov’s road to fame was not an easy one. 1897 saw the premiere of his First Symphony, an occasion which could hardly have been worse. Under-rehearsed and badly conducted by a gentleman called Glazunov, who may well have been inebriated at the time, the work flopped, earning the young composer some excoriating reviews. Little prepared for such early rejection, Rachmaninov sunk into a depression and found himself unable to pen any more music. It took several years for him to recover sufficiently to be able to start composing again.
Work on the Second Symphony began in 1906, with the composer completing it in Dresden while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of Moscow. The premiere was held in St Petersburg on 26 January 1908 to great acclaim, with the Symphony ultimately winning the Glinka Prize – a far cry from the disaster of 1897. While the piece fell out of fashion for a while, it is now a firm favourite in the classical music canon among audiences and players alike.
The manuscript of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony
What’s the music like?
With its sumptuous melodies and heart-on-sleeve intensity, it is small wonder that excerpts from Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony featured in the 2014 film Birdman, both in the memorable flight sequence and the closing scene.
Opera North Music Director Garry Walker, who will be conducting the Symphony on 25 September at Huddersfield Town Hall, explains:
“Above all, Rachmaninov is a great melodist. If you want to iron bed sheets, then I thoroughly recommend listening to the sweeping melodies of Rachmaninov to help you with your task. There’s never any risk of burning anything, because he has an un-put-down-able sweep to his music. Prepare to be swept up and moved by the ultimate Romantic symphony.”
Did you know?
— Rachmaninov had very large hands. In fact, his ability to stretch over so many keys on the piano may well have contributed to his success as a player. However, it also makes his compositions challenging to play!
— His recovery from depression after the reception of his First Symphony is attributed to hypnotherapy.
— The composer settled in America after fleeing the Russian Revolution with his family, becoming an American citizen shortly before he died in 1943.
The Orchestra of Opera North perform Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony in Huddersfield Town Hall as part of the Kirklees Concert Season on Thursday 25 September. The programme also features Gershwin and Bruch.
