Question by Antithesis: What are the greatest works of Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff?
I’ve always wanted to listen to the works of these composers but never got around to it. Where should I start?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Rrr
I can give you some recommendations. Rachmaninov is probably easier to approach than Stravinsky, since Stravinsky’s works are extremely diverse in terms of style and form.
With Rachmaninov, it’s probably best to start with his 4 piano concertos and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. These, along with his three symphonies, are his most famous works and they are performed in concert halls on a regular basis. His tone poems, such as Isle of the Dead and The Rock, make interesting listening. Rachmaninov also composed many pieces for solo piano, such as the Piano Sonatas, Preludes, Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Etudes-tableaux and Moments musicaux. His significant chamber works include the Cello Sonata, Trio elegiaque, Suites and Symphonic Dances for two pianos. If you’re interested, Rachmaninov also composed a few operas, such as Aleko and the Miserly Knight.
So here are some pieces to start with:
Piano Concerto No. 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bNSRAxbB1U
Piano Concerto No. 3 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwp_pP09WPk
Symphony No. 2 –
Isle of the Dead – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N10YZ2Sk3Kg
Stravinsky, as I mentioned, has a more diverse resume. He began his career composing works in a nationalistic, late Romantic vein (such as the ballet The Firebird) and subsequently went through numerous stages including impressionism, neoclassicism, and serialism. It’s harder to give you recommendations for Stravinsky, because of the sheer breadth of his oeuvre. His most accessible compositions are probably the ballet suites from The Firebird, Petroushka and Pulcinella, as well as the Rite of Spring, his most famous works. He composed other ballets which are worth a listen, such as the Fairy Kiss, Apollon musagete and Orphee. If you’re into twelve-tone serialism, Agon is a ballet composed in that style. Stravinsky’s orchestral works include four symphonies (including the Symphony of Psalms), the tone poem The Song of the Nightingale, a piano concerto, a violin concerto and numerous miniatures for chamber orchestra, such as the jazz-influenced Ebony Concerto. There are also several operas and oratorios, notably Renard the Fox, Mavra, Oedipus Rex and The Deluge.
Here are some recordings to get you started with Stravinsky:
The Firebird –
Petrushka –
The Rite of Spring –
Oedipus Rex – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcGT9CC_kO8
Dumbarton Oaks – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQszFzbxwbM
Song of the Nightingale – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7GWKLIsqGM
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FeBland says
Stravinsky – -> The Firebird Suite and Petrushka (then a year later, try The Rite of Spring and The Soldier's Tale!)
Rachmaninov – -> Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Piano Concerto No.2 & No.3 (do not bother with No.1 or No.4 as they are very inferior in comparison). Also, Symphony No.2.
Jesus H. Christ says
Wow. These guys know their stuff!
For Stravinsky, I personally love watching the Rite of Spring. See if you can actually watch a performance here or there. It's ballet music for a reason since the visual performance is almost just as essential as the music itself.
For Rachmaninoff, get started with his piano stuff. Prelude in C sharp minor and Prelude in G minor are good starters. Work your way up to his more complex and elegant stuff, like his second symphony (movement three: adagio), or Variations on a Theme of Paganini. His etude-tableaux set is gold too! Also, check out "Vocalise."
glinzek says
All good suggestions so far.
There is a lot to choose from here. You are only going to get opinions, because nobody could possibly have a definitive answer.
My personal favorites? Aside fron the concertante works for piano, for Rach, I would choose "Symphonic Dances", a tour de force in orchestration, as well as some very fine music. The 3rd Symphony would be my second choice.
For Stravinsky, most folks would choose one of the early Ballet pieces, either "Firebird", "Petrouchka, or "Rite of Spring". Granted they are great works, but I have fallen in love with "Symphony of Psalms".
Cheers!
Glinzek
Jonathan says
The famous ones would give you a kickoff. Stravinsky's Trois Mouvements Petrouchka. Rachmaninoff's Four Concertos. Rachmaninoff's four concertos really are great . . . You wouldn't expect to listen to them for two hours straight