The most touching moment in music: Sokolov plays Rachmaninov Prelude Op. 23 no. 4 | Video score

The world human rights concert
Palace of Nation, Geneva
11 December 2021

Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Ten Preludes, Op. 23

Triumph Out of Darkness
Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Ten Preludes, Op. 23, stand as a monumental milestone in piano literature, works that fuse technical brilliance with deep emotional resonance. These pieces not only showcase Rachmaninoff’s mastery of the piano but also trace his personal journey from despair to renewal, mirroring the cultural and historical undercurrents of his time.

From Collapse to Rebirth: The Background
In 1897, the disastrous premiere of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1 pushed the young composer into a profound depression that lasted for three years. Paralyzed by self-doubt, he struggled to compose again. His recovery began only after therapy with Dr. Nikolai Dahl, who used hypnotherapy to rebuild his confidence, repeating affirmations such as, “You will compose your concerto... your work will be excellent.”

The results were remarkable. Between 1900 and 1901, Rachmaninoff completed his Piano Concerto No. 2, dedicating it to Dr. Dahl. The concerto’s success restored his creative spirit and launched one of the most productive periods of his life.

It was in this renewed state that he composed Op. 23 (1901–1903). The collection isn’t just a set of virtuosic keyboard miniatures, it’s Rachmaninoff’s declaration of artistic rebirth, filled with both pain and triumph. Within the ten preludes, we hear echoes of darkness and struggle (Nos. 1 and 7), alongside radiance, grace, and tenderness (Nos. 2 and 4). Together, they show a portrait of Rachmaninoff's soul.

Rachmaninoff and His Era
Early 20th-century Russia was entering its “Silver Age,” a time of extraordinary artistic ferment across music, art, and literature, but also a period of social unrest and looming revolution. This tension between cultural brilliance and society instability affects Rachmaninoff’s music, giving it a sense of both grandeur and uncertainty.

Rachmaninoff followed in the footsteps of Bach and Chopin, uniting classical form with Romantic and personal expression on a monumental scale. The result includes all 24 major and minor keys in Preludes Opus 3, 23, and 32.

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This video is made for piano music enthusiasts who enjoy studying music score, alongside with Grigory Sokolov's interpretation.

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