Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 - Josef Bulva

Pianist- Josef Bulva
Countless composers have made variations on Paganini’s 24th caprice, however Rachmaninoff’s are like no other. In the opening of the Rhapsody, Bulva percussively hits the lower register generating the resonance of the Russian bells Rachmaninoff would have heard during his youth. Each variation is extremely innovative and different from the last, at variation two Rachmaninoff seems to be adding extra chromatic notes to the theme reminiscent of “wrong note” classical music, although later one can hear a beautiful resolution as the wrong notes seem to disappear into a sea of graceful arpeggios played elegantly by Josef Bulva. Frequently one can hear strong jazz inflections (such as in variations three and four) that add energetic and capricious energy to the music. The added inflections to different genres pose a challenge to any performer who now must be able to capture the drastically different moods generated by different genres, Bulva has proven himself in this respect. By variation seven we can hear the first reference to “Dies irae”, a Gregorian chant commonly associated with death. This melody becomes a secondary theme foreshadowing the final variation where the two themes meet in a vigorous climax.
Rachmaninoff himself claimed variation 18 to be his finest stating, “this one is for my agent”. After the haunting atmospheres of the previous variations, Bulva plays a beautiful inverted version of the main theme over a silent orchestra which builds to a momentous climax when the orchestra returns. The remainder of the piece passes with breakneck virtuosity leaving Bulva unphased. After two cadenzas and numerous climactic points, the piece ends with a pointedly ironical final phrase.
The score you can see is Rachmaninoff’s arrangement for two pianos, occasionally the parts will appear differently to how they are heard.

[@tedphillips2501]

If there is any piece that proves we have no idea how the right brain works, this is it.

[@eggizgud]

Yes, I hear that the playing at bars 47 and 48 is different from the notes. thank you so much for this. one of my favourite rachs.

[@agaragar8100]

6:08 truly one of the most dies irae moment

[@OctoPlaysPiano]

Dies Irae 🤯

[@calebhu6383]

11:14, 15:30, 22:22

[@davidemarchi6366]

what?

[@muradbaghirli]

@@davidemarchi6366 probably noted his/her favourite variations :)

[@OctoPlaysPiano]

Awesome

[@redfishplayz4476]

15:30 besttt

[@violinstudyingpiano8352]

Wonderful Concerto so beautiful

[@onethegogd5783]

Not sure if this can be called concerto

[@Kuneu]

Variation.18
15:24 ~18:08

[@cocojambo7393]

11:20