Overview

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF

An interpretative study of Rachmaninoff’s Études-Tableaux, op. 33 & 39 

The lecture attempts to investigate and interpret the musical meaning of the Études-Tableaux, and to connect and apply it to the musical performance. In order to illuminate possible influences upon Rachmaninoff’s special compositional style, we shall explore the use of religious music (both Russian and foreign) in the Études-Tableaux, and the harmonic language that results from it, through a twofold approach: first, through the contemporary theories related to the narrative element in music, and, secondly, through Boris Asafiev’s intonation theory.
In the recital of selections from the two volumes of the Études-Tableaux, will be illustrated the musical arguments discussed in the lecture.

– Sergei Rachmaninoff: Étude-Tableau in F minor, op. 33, no. 1
                                   Étude-Tableau in C minor, op. 33, no. 3
                                   Étude-Tableau in G minor, op. 33, no. 8
                                   Étude-Tableau in C-sharp minor, op. 33, no. 9 
                                   Étude-Tableau in E-flat minor, op. 39, no. 5
                                   Étude-Tableau in D major, op. 39, no. 9

Magda Nikolaidou piano