Piano Concerto 2 - Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

Moderato: Adagio sostenuto: Allegro scherzando

It is often helpful to the understanding of a composer to have a glimpse into his private world. Sergei Rachmaninov was subject to bouts of depression, self-doubt and lack of confidence throughout his life. The failure of his First Symphony in 1897 was an enduring blow to his self esteem causing a physical reaction including neurasthenic pains in his back, legs and arms. The mental anguish was revealed by Rachmaninov in his later published Recollections: "It is true that the performance was beneath contempt but, apart from this, its deficiencies were revealed to me with a dreadful distinctness even during the first rehearsal. Something within me snapped. All my self-confidence broke down and the artistic satisfaction that I had looked forward to was never realised". Although an appointment as Deputy Musical Director of the Private Opera Company gave him some hope, it was not until he undertook a course of treatment with the Moscow physician and hypnotist, Dr Nikolai Dahl, that his anguished state of mind was calmed. For four months he visited Dahl recounting: "My relatives had informed Dr Dahl that he must by all means cure me of my apathetic condition and bring about such results that I would again be able to compose. Dahl had enquired what kind of composition was required of me and he was informed a concerto for pianoforte promised to the people in London (London Philharmonic Society). In consequence, I heard repeated, day after day, the same hypnotic formula as I lay half somnolent in an armchair in Dr Dahl's consulting room. 'You will start to compose a concerto: you will work with the greatest of ease: the composition will be of excellent quality'. Always it was the same, without interruption.

"Although it might be impossible to believe, this treatment really helped me. I began to compose at the beginning of the summer. The material grew in volume and new musical ideas began to well up within me, many more than I needed for my concerto. By autumn I had completed two movements, the Andante and the Finale. These I played during the same autumn at a charity concert. The two movements resulted in gratifying success. This heightened my confidence to such an extent that I began once more to compose with great ardour. By the spring I had completed the first movement of the concerto and the Suite for Two Pianos. I felt that Dr Dahl's treatment had strengthened my nervous system to a degree almost miraculous. Out of gratitude I dedicated my Second Concerto to him". The first performance of the now completed concerto was given in London during the winter of 1902. It is worth reflecting as we listen to the familiar notes of the most popular piano concerto in the world, how hard won they were. The opening music, reminiscent of the sound of tolling bells, and the ensuing magisterial melody together with the heavily nostalgic mood of the whole, makes the concerto's emotional message deeply meaningful and fulfilling.

The Norfolk Symphony Orchestra is a registered Charity No. 263422