Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 2 -

In 1897, Rachmaninoff’s First Symphony premiered to disastrous reviews, sending the composer into a deep clinical depression and a three-year bout of . He eventually sought help from Dr. Nikolai Dahl , a physician who used hypnotherapy to restore Rachmaninoff’s confidence.

Based on the third movement’s main theme.

A virtuosic finale. It balances rhythmic "marches" with one of the most famous melodies in history—a sweeping, romantic theme that eventually culminates in a thunderous, triumphant C-major ending. Pop Culture Legacy

Under hypnosis, Dahl would repeat: "You will start to write your concerto... you will work with great facility... the concerto will be of excellent quality." It worked. Rachmaninoff dedicated the finished piece to Dahl in 1901, and its success cemented his legacy forever.