In these pieces composed by a Rachmaninoff soon to leave his homeland for ever, there are two key elements: ‘étude’ – a pianistic virtuosity rarely equalled – and ‘tableau’, a remarkable evocative power. The composer left only a few clues to the subjects that inspired him – a fair, the sea, a funeral march. But every listener can marvel at the mysterious and varied atmospheres of these miraculous miniatures. This title was released for the first time in 1995.
SERGEI RACHMANINOV [1873-1943] Etudes-tableaux op.33 (1911) · I. Allegro non troppo (fa mineur / F minor / f-moll) (2'37) · II. Allegro (Ut majeur / C major / C-dur) (2'41) · III. Grave (ut mineur / C minor / c-moll) (6'10) · IV. Moderato (ré mineur / D minor / d-moll) (3'00) · V. Non allegro (mi bémol mineur / E flat minor / es-moll) (1'44) · VI. Allegro con fuoco, alla breve (Mi bémol majeur / E flat major / Es-dur) (1'43) · VII. Moderato (sol mineur / G minor / g-moll) (4'34) · VIII. Grave (ut dièse mineur / C sharp minor / cis-moll) (2'45) Etudes-tableaux op.39 (1916-17) · I. Allegro agitato (ut mineur / C minor / c-moll) (2'59) · II. Lento assai (la mineur / A minor / a-moll) (8'22) · III. Allegro molto (fa dièse mineur / F sharp minor / fis-moll) (2'45) · IV. Allegro assai (si mineur / B minor / h-moll) (3'35) · V. Appassionato (mi bémol mineur / E flat minor / es-moll) (5'16) · VI. Allegro (la mineur / A minor / a-moll) (2'36) · VII. Lento (ut mineur / C minor / c-moll) (7'20) · VIII. Allegro moderato (ré mineur / D minor / d-moll) (3'23) · IX. Allegro moderato (Ré majeur / D major / D-dur) (3'41)
