Rachmaninoff was still in his formative years as a composer when he composed his 12 Songs, op. 14. It was his third collection of songs. Throughout the set, one can observe the composer beginning to conquer the idiom of voice and piano, but must still overlook some passages that tend to strike the listener as ardent youthfulness than the tempered expression of a mature artist. The first song of the set, “I wait for thee,” was composed in 1894, but the remaining eleven in 1896 while Rachmaninoff was also working on his First Symphony.
The coming of Spring has been a favorite subject for many composers and Rachmaninoff is no different with the penultimate song of his opus 14 set, “Spring Waters” (sometimes translated as “Spring Torrents”). Based on a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev, it has become one of Rachmaninoff’s best known songs, particularly in Russia where it is frequently performed. Tyutchev’s declamatory text enthusiastically announces the arrival of Spring, and Rachmaninoff’s setting matches perfectly the mien of the poem. The sweeping triplets and sextuplets of the piano accompaniment, in an Allegro vivace tempo, certainly capture the image of rushing “torrents” rather than “waters,” while the voice mightily declares the change of seasons. The mighty force of nature, the unstoppable growth of new life can be felt throughout Rachmaninoff’s setting as it builds incessantly to the triumphal and joyous chords that follow the voice’s last utterance. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Soprano
Sergei Rachmaninov
Spring Waters, Op. 14 No. 11 Play
Recorded on 05/15/2009, uploaded on 05/25/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Rachmaninoff was still in his formative years as a composer when he composed his 12 Songs, op. 14. It was his third collection of songs. Throughout the set, one can observe the composer beginning to conquer the idiom of voice and piano, but must still overlook some passages that tend to strike the listener as ardent youthfulness than the tempered expression of a mature artist. The first song of the set, “I wait for thee,” was composed in 1894, but the remaining eleven in 1896 while Rachmaninoff was also working on his First Symphony.
The coming of Spring has been a favorite subject for many composers and Rachmaninoff is no different with the penultimate song of his opus 14 set, “Spring Waters” (sometimes translated as “Spring Torrents”). Based on a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev, it has become one of Rachmaninoff’s best known songs, particularly in Russia where it is frequently performed. Tyutchev’s declamatory text enthusiastically announces the arrival of Spring, and Rachmaninoff’s setting matches perfectly the mien of the poem. The sweeping triplets and sextuplets of the piano accompaniment, in an Allegro vivace tempo, certainly capture the image of rushing “torrents” rather than “waters,” while the voice mightily declares the change of seasons. The mighty force of nature, the unstoppable growth of new life can be felt throughout Rachmaninoff’s setting as it builds incessantly to the triumphal and joyous chords that follow the voice’s last utterance. Joseph DuBose
More music by Sergei Rachmaninov
Romance, Op. 11 No. 5
Etude-Tableau in A minor, Op. 39, No. 6
Prelude Op. 3, No. 2, in c-sharp minor
Prelude Op. 32, No. 5, in G Major
Loneliness, Op. 21 No. 6
Prelude Op. 23, No. 10, in G-flat Major
Moment Musicaux Op. 16, No. 3
Prelude Op. 23 No. 5
Moment Musicaux Op. 16, No. 4
Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
Performances by same musician(s)
Loneliness, Op. 21 No. 6
Lilacs, Op. 21 No. 5
A Dream, Op. 8 No. 5
Du sprichst, dass ich mich täuschte, No. 6, from Lieder und Gesange, Op. 32
Wie rafft ich mich auf in der Nacht, No. 1, from Lieder und Gesange, Op. 32
Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen, No. 2, from Lieder und Gesange, Op. 32
Wehe, so willst du mich wieder, No. 5, from Lieder und Gesange, Op. 32
Wie bist du, meine Königin, No. 9, from Lieder und Gesange, Op. 32
Au pays où se fait la guerre
Chanson triste
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