Skip to main content
Saturday, 19 May, 2012 - 19:30
Image
2012A5-RACH

This is a concert programme built around the works of one of the most popular Russian composers of the 20th century. Rachmaninov was considered to be one of the finest pianists of his time and his works for piano reflect his passion for the instrument as well as his extraordinary talent for expansive and romantic composition. Mentored in his youth by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov was deeply affected by his death and spent several years suffering from depression, composing very little.

Before composing his second piano concerto, he underwent autosuggestive therapy with psychologist Nikolai Dahl, to whom the concerto played tonight is dedicated. His writing for voice is equally impressive and audiences love both Vespers and The Bells, which feature in this performance.

The setting of Guildford Cathedral is perfect for this programme of pure Rachmaninov, where you can lose yourself in the romance of the Piano Concerto No. 2 and in the beautiful choral tones of the Vespers and The Bells.

Programme
Rachmaninov:

Vespers (5 extracts)
Piano Concerto No. 2
Vocalise
The Bells
, Op 18

Performers

Jeremy Backhouse conducts Vivace Chorus, Brandenburg Sinfonia with Francis Pott (piano).