Variations
on a theme by Corelli Sergei Rachmaninov
Sergey
Rachmaninov's Variations,Op.
42, were written in 1931 and make use of a well-known theme that the
seventeenth century violinist-composer Arcangelo Corelli used as the basis for
a set of variations in one of his solo violin sonatas. The melody, La folia, was among the most popular
tunes of the Baroque period, and was used by numerous composers, including J.S.
Bach, Scarlatti, and Vivaldi. Anna Petrova
Rachmaninov,
in his series of twenty variations on La folia, wrings out a masterly
exploration of the possibilities of this simplest of original material. The
work is conceived as one, with an Intermezzo, which is in fact a cadenza,
before the fourteenth variation. The
final rapid set of variations lead to a gentle coda. The Variations represent a
new phase in Rachmaninov's compositions, where a tendency for greater clarity
of texture is coupled with considerable harmonic originality and daring.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Sergei Rachmaninov
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op 42 Play
Recorded on 02/24/2010, uploaded on 05/11/2010
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Variations on a theme by Corelli Sergei Rachmaninov
Sergey Rachmaninov's Variations,Op. 42, were written in 1931 and make use of a well-known theme that the seventeenth century violinist-composer Arcangelo Corelli used as the basis for a set of variations in one of his solo violin sonatas. The melody, La folia, was among the most popular tunes of the Baroque period, and was used by numerous composers, including J.S. Bach, Scarlatti, and Vivaldi. Anna Petrova
Rachmaninov, in his series of twenty variations on La folia, wrings out a masterly exploration of the possibilities of this simplest of original material. The work is conceived as one, with an Intermezzo, which is in fact a cadenza, before the fourteenth variation. The final rapid set of variations lead to a gentle coda. The Variations represent a new phase in Rachmaninov's compositions, where a tendency for greater clarity of texture is coupled with considerable harmonic originality and daring.
More music by Sergei Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43 (Variation 18)
Romance, Op. 11 No. 5
Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5
Prelude Op. 3, No. 2, in c-sharp minor
Bogoroditse Devo, from The Vespers
Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 9 in D Major
Etude-Tableau in A minor, Op. 39, No. 6
Etude-Tableau, Op, 39, No. 1 in c minor
Prelude Op. 23 No. 5
Romance, Op. 34
Performances by same musician(s)
Poissons d’or, from Images, Book II
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (from Cantata No. 147)
Reflets dans l’eau, from Images, Book 1
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