RACHMANINOFF'S Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, 18th Variation: the most SUBLIME theme ever written!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- Soul soaring! That's Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, 18th Variation. But WHY is it so special? What did Rachmaninoff do to make that theme so transcendent? Grammy-nominated pianist Dr. Duane Hulbert examines this gorgeous variation and gives a few insights into Rachmaninoff's techniques.
Note flipping: 3:10
Key changing: 3:26
Andante section: 4:45
Triplets/16ths: 5:30
Climax chord: 5:45
Orchestra/piano back-and-forth: 6:32
BIG CHORDS!: 7:15
Variation ending: 7:43
Finding the way home: 8:20
Breaking the trance: 9:19
Surprise ending: 9:40
Duane plays the entire variation at 10:35.
By the way: Rachmaninoff himself played the premiere of the Rhapsody with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski in Baltimore, Maryland on November 7, 1934.
To hear the 18th variation with the orchestra (which is to hear it at its most "sublime"), check out a TH-cam video. Perhaps this one with sixteen year-old Alexander Malofeev: • Variation #18, Rhapsod...
Or the WHOLE Rhapsody with Jon Kimura Parker, soloist: • Sergei Rachmaninoff "R... (18th Variation starts at 16:35, and then listen to the very ending. Amazing!)
To hear violinist Hilary Hahn play Paganini's Caprice #24: • Hilary Hahn - Paganini...
And to hear Benny Goodman's very fun jazz variation on Paganini's theme: • Benny Goodman And His ...
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Thanks for watching!
I have always found this to be one of the most heart-breakingly beautiful melodies in all of classical music. Thanks for helping me understand why.
Me too!
your channel is something I was searching for, I love when people talks inteligently about music they play
Glad you found us. Keep watching!
Rachmaninoff feeds my soul! 🙂 Singer/songwriter Eric Carmen passed recently and I was listening to his song “All By Myself,” which was a big hit for him and also later for Celine Dion. Eric based the verse on the second movement (Adagio sostenuto) of Rachmaninoff's 1900-1901 Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18. Eric also had another very successful song called “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again” and he based the melody on the third movement (Adagio) from Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. It just goes to show you how timeless music is and how these amazing works from long ago can inspire new songs even today.
To invert the first theme, which could be quick, and find a new key for it , and lavish us with a melody poignantly ravishing is the signature of his genius. 💐
Thank you so much! You are both a gifted musician and a gifted educator.
Thank you for the kind words!
I LOVE the 18th variation. This is all because of the movie "Somewhere in Time" which my mother introduced to me. I became curious and decided to find the whole piece and listen to it. It's really a thrill to listen to and the way Rachmaninov truly shapes this whole piece is amazing. However, that last surprise kind of made me mad but I ended up laughing at the end. I think he did it on purpose as a small joke. It's pretty cool.
I first came across the Rhapsody (which together with Paganini's solo violin 'Caprice No. 24' are my No.1 favourites) in, I think it was 1953. I watched 'The Story of Three Loves' , a movie which uses the music as a theme. Some time later, I bought a record player, LPs were pretty new on the market, lasting up to around 25 to 30 minutes after the average three minutes of the old 78s. The very first LP I bought was of Solomon playing the Rhapsody. I no longer have that old LP but I have several others, Julius Katchen, Christina Ortiz and the latest one I acquired is a Naxos Historical CD (8.110602) of Rachmaninov himself making the very first recording, originally on 78s. Rachmaninoff, Stokowski, and the Philadelphia Orchestra made the first recording, on 24 December 1934, at RCA Victor's Trinity Church Studio in Camden, New Jersey. Rachmaninoff wrote the work at his summer home, the Villa Senar in Switzerland, according to the score, from 3 July to 18 August 1934. Rachmaninoff himself, a noted performer of his own works, played the piano part at the piece's premiere on 7 November 1934, at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland, with the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski.
Thank you for the interesting backstory.
Rachmaninoff is by far my favourite composer! Currently learning this so this video is very useful right now. Thank you!
I love your passion and analysis. This insight is so valuable as a pianist and as a listener. Thank you!
Glad you enjoy it!
Wow I've heard of this tune for so long, but this is the first time I saw the connection with Paginin's A minor theme...
the climax chord at the beginning is just a simple Dbm7 that sounds really dissonant on context, really is genius
Yes, love your analysis and this variation, of course. Genius composition.
But I also love the transitionary passage introducing this one, arguably more beautiful? How he brings us from the intensity of the previous variation, slowing down our expectations, with so many teasers, and then the revelation at the end of it is like heaven.
A year late, but I can't agree more with you. In my opinion what makes Variation 18 just so, so beautiful is the way it "clears" and transitions from the end of Variation 17
If one were to describe the emotion that this music inspires, one could not be wrong in saying it makes one feel love. Keeping that in mind, those who play this music on the keyboard with the proper bent of thought would recognize how the thumbs penetrate the thenar webspace of the opposite hand repeatedly throughout the playing of this theme. One could imagine Rachmaninoff slyly making the "thumbs" act in place of another part of the anatomy while making love to the other hand. Not only does the music sound like love, the hands actually make love to one another while playing it.
Wonderful, beautiful and enchanting. So many times I have heard this piece and I just am not satisfied. I want more of the beauty and the harmony from the piano and the orchestra. The wonderment of a musician never ceases to amaze me. It inspires me to get back at it.
Those huge beautiful chords without the orchestra are amazing. I can see someone just improvising with those alone. Very nice breakdown tutorial.
Thank you very much for playing this through for us. It was the first time I had heard this being played without an orchestra.
For me this is the most beautiful piece in music. Reflects all the human emotions of life , joy, melancholy, sadness, hope, passion and much more. It thus encompasses everything happening in a lifetime. And this is why I have express the wish that this variation is played at my funeral.
It was interesting to learn about the technical specifications of the piece but I listen to music with my heart and not my brain.
This is one of those great pieces that screams out "Give me strings"😁🎶🎹🎶Play On
What a brilliant demonstration of this masterpiece and how the transition moves between Am and Db. I didn’t realise that the Am variation (which used to be the theme for an Arts programme on UK television) was connected to the romantic Db version until your explanation. Bravo and thank you! Vic Whitchurch England.
What brilliant insight. Thank you for the education.
Lovely commentary. I have loved this piece for years. I won a regional figure skating compeititon skating to this piece. I am now learning it on the piano. It's beautiful and sublime. Thank you. love your channel.
One of the most beautiful pieces to me. It brings so much emotion in me each time I hear it. I just go with it and experience!❤️❤️
Only geniuses can come up with these ideas.. one of my favorite classical tune..
Very nice video! Great explanation and interpretation of a piece I particularly love. Rachmaninoff's works always have a special effect on me, he is absolutely one of my favorite composers of all time.
This has been my favourite piece of music since my late teens (and I'm a very long way past that these days). I cannot describe the pleasure that piece of music gives me. Although I have sometimes listened to the original Paganini Theme, I could never figure out the connection to the 18th Variation. Thank you for solving that mystery. This was an enchanting video and your playing superb. I will be watching more of your videos.
this music- omg brings tears to my eyes and chills to my spine every single time.
Enjoyed your enlightening explanation, so love this piece of music.Thank you very much.
I just stumbled upon your video when I was searching how Rachmaninoff got his melody from his piece. You teach with compassion and knowledge that I subscribed immediately. I'd look forward on watching your other videos.
I've listened to both the main theme and variation 18 since they are literally everywhere, but I've never known too much about variation 18 to know that Rachmaninoff composes it and that it comprises part of the 24 Variations. So the first time I've ever actually listened to the full 24 Variations in full and in one sitting, it was an absolutely sublime and mind-blowing moment to me just listening to how the foreboding and dark Variation 17 just transitions to Variation 18, like a clear sky just following a heavy rain.
What a genius Rachmaninoff was
OMG Dr. Hulbert I’m an instant fan after this video! I’m practicing Var 15 and am wondering if you could also help guide us on Var 15’s magical melody as well!
The 15th Variation is exciting and you need technical prowess to play it well. The music scampers! Thanks for your comment.
Awesome video as always 😀
Beautiful! I love the Lutoslawski variations too but in a very (vary) different way from this one. 😍
Malofeev also has a TH-cam of the entire piece with orchestra. If you watch it closely at the end Alexander gives a little smile to show how much he enjoyed it all!
Thank you! I know so little, and yet enjoyed this so much. Fascinating and enchanting. So glad I found this channel.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautifully rendered and well-explained.
One of my favorite pieces. I'm teaching myself to play it. You have totally mesmerized me with the story. WOW!!!
IMO, you did not need one. Amazing!
Thank you!
I think your pieces are enthralling - thank you
Thank you for the most sublime video
Very fun and enjoyable expose of this great piece! Fine work.
Greatly enjoy your videos. Thank you
New subscriber - love your videos, very informative!
Absolutely fabulous! Enjoyed this so much!
So interesting. I love hearing you say, "I love that chord..."
i'm learning and loving--thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of music.
i loved this piece in somewhere in time! you play it well!
Wonderful video 👌🏻👌🏻
Your passion shows! It's lovely how you go in such detail about the music and the sounds and what you feel from it, I subbed!
Oh and thanks for the reference to Alexander Malofeev, such a talented player. I love his plays of Rachmaninov variations and Concerti
Agree completely!
Thanks for the background of this piece I learned so much from your explanation and you play so beautifully 😊
You’re amazing … I can listen learn and follow your passion …. You’re playing , explanation just moves me … I’m playing or rather I should say following along with you … thank you so much for all your enthusiasm… I love it 🥰 …
This particular piece has always given me goosebumps. Such a beautiful master piece thank you for taking your time breaking down the make of it.
Beautiful -- reminds me of the movie Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeves ...
Filmed somewhere near Mackinaw Island, Michigan.
Thank you very much for this lesson , I do appreciated and enjoy it , thank you again .
Muchas gracias maestro!
Love this music probably because of my love for the movie "Somewhere in Time" using it as it's theme, one of my most favorite movies. Thank you for showing the variations and nuances of it's composition. To find that beautiful theme by reversing the notes and dropping to a lower key for the heartbreaking feel, pure genius! Went and listened to Paganini's Caprices (by the one and only Itzhak Pearlman) and other Rachmaninoff's variations. Thank you so much for this!!
Beautiful! Thank you for the lovely information.
Glad it was helpful!
This is great!!!
I’ve always loved this piece … I’m so happy to be learning it now … it’s a process … but it just moves me 😊
Listened it live like 15 times and will listen more!
Thank you - I really enjoyed listening to your explanation
Glad you enjoyed it!
Je suis allé voir cette pièce en concert récemment, c'est une expérience à couper le souffle tellement c'est magnifique.
Simply thank you.
You're welcome!
Wonderful insight and wonderful playing
Thanks, it's great music, too!
sublime seems like the most fitting word to describe this
Love these analysis videos duane!
Thank you so much.
I love this piece - and I really like your analysis & demonstration. Thank you!
Glad you like it!
Thanks
Love your videos
Thanks for watching!
This is amazing
Rachmaninoff's theme is always a joy to play.
Thank you so much
You are welcome. Keep watching!
thanks for posting it on my birthday
one of my favorite piece
Happy birthday!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Thank you sir this music put a smile on ones face but also a moist eye .peace
Thank you for discussing. I have a background in classical music, and appreciate listening to analysis and background.
Another amazing video. Love your expertise on Rachmaninoff, my favorite composer ever. Subscribed immediately!
Thank you very much!
I keep watching your video for three times in a row. Very clean explanation and beautiful voice. Listen to the piano without the orchestra helps me discover new things that I never heard before. Excellent video, thanks a lots
Thank you! I hope you continue to come back to our channel.
Pure gold, you are a true inspiration, thank you SIR !!!!!!!
You are very welcome. Keep watching!
You are a great teacher and pianist, thank you.
Thanks, Meggie. Keep watching!
Thanks for helping me understand and appreciate more this piece of music that is so poignantly beautiful. You explain it so intelligently. The piece is an expression of my deepest feelings. You are a great teacher.
Glad it was helpful! Keep watching!
4:10 The 15th variation also has this theme
Beautiful
Thank you!
Thank you very very much for your introduction of Rachmaninov's 18th variation. Every tiny bit of your presentation is breathtaking, it helps understanding the relation to Paganini while transmitting your love for the piece. Fabulous stuff !
Glad you enjoyed it! Keep watching!
yesss~!!!!!THANK YOU!!!!!
4:03 from your mentions I go to, R. withdrew in this variation. Instead of mimicking the climb, as a ballerina might fold and withdraw with fluttering steps...he inverts [did you say inverts] then transposes at the end. So from your pose that it is descending v. ascending, I gather two variations combine to make this segment-inversion-and end note transposition.-Ernie Moore Jr.
Most of the variations have a rising pattern in an A minor theme. The difference in the D flat variation is that the line descends instead. So clever of Rachmaninoff to come up with that musical idea.
Thanks for playing it without orchestra, it’s super interesting!
Bravo.
My favourite music, from when I was fourteen, sixty years ago.
Rachmaninoff extracted this Jewel from the Living Soul of the Universe: quintessential auditory pulchritude!
My thoughts exactly (even though I had to look up pulchritude!) I've just add that to my vocabulary.
Ahhh my favorite 😍
Wow i love this channel
Thank you! Keep watching!
Enjoyable!
You are my hero, Maestro 🎶🎵🙏
He's wonderful
That was a first class commentary on variation 18.
Thanks so much!
Sublime!!!
A simple comment. Thanks ! Great explanation, beautiful music
Just sublime.
Thank you!
Wish you were doing this when i was a kid. My life would have changed !
It's never too late to start (or restart). Keep watching!
As you said…better late than never…I recently acquired a quality keyboard…with aliquot etc………lovely yet compact and I can use headphones so others will not have to participate in my personal struggles….gave taken to writing as well……as Glenn Gould also knew, there is music in words. A world of joy and possibilities!
Excellent class for those who like classical music. Rachmaninov leaves me in a state of strong emotion. Ever.
And this is Rachmaninoff's birthday month. 150 years old!
This reminds me of an unfulfilled promise that just hang in the air…
the. music is so nice, and the pianist is very good too
You're right, Rachmaninoff is a great composer. Keep watching!
By the way regarding this piece, are you familiar with violinist David Garrett who also attended Juilliard?
He made a movie about Paganini, the Devil’s Violinist, which I was fortunate enough to see with Mr. Garrett attending his Los Angeles premiere of that movie.