Fun Facts about Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Nov 28, 2015 1:37 PM

Lassannn

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Here is a stretch of an 11th on the piano: http://images.sodahead.com/polls/003152785/917401046_p1010051uhw_xlarge.jpeg

That is to say, most of the chords require all 10 fingers.

Performed by Lazar Berman (skip to 7:45): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPlOto7txK0

Rachmaninoff performing the finale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_BfoSo3S-Q

Rachmaninoff performing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBx-tr1FDvY

Paganini's melody is in a minor, so when Rachmaninoff read the music upside down, it looked to be in D-flat Major, and he made only a few minor emendations.

Rachmaninoff performing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdJ2kMi0mJU

Skip to 14:18.

Rachmaninoff performing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXQCPAR0EHo

Van Cliburn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4b_TrbX34E

Rachmaninoff's hands on a keyboard: http://www.increasehandspan.com/rachmaninov%20hands.jpg

yeah! More awesome classical music posts plz!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I think that you misheard me, I didn't ask for a large pianist.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

6' 6" - all pianos were toy pianos to him.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Fucking shit balls! Dat Piano Concerto No. 3!!!

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

What a Rach Star

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

YAAAAAAAASSSSS MORE MUSIC NERDINESS ON IMGUR! +1 FOREVER !

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

He asked himself for an encore? That's a bold move, Cotton. Let's see how it plays out.....

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

updoot for "unmercifully excoriated". but fuck you, lassann

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

+1. No problem.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

You know what? This is a quality post. You get a lot of shit @OP, but I still appreciate you

10 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 5

Thanks. I don't always post shit.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 6

Six feet six inches tall? So, that's one large pianist

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Yeah and I bet he had a huge cock too!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Muse's frontman, Matthew Bellamy, gets a lot of his inspiration from Rachmaninoff. As a crazy muse fan, I too love Rachmaninoff

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Space Dementia is pretty much a tribute to Rachmaninoff.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Protest The Hero got inspiration from his prelude in C sharp minor for a part in one of their songs.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Same here!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

You may be able to Rachmaninoff, but you can never Rachman too much.

10 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 2

His Prelude in C#m is one of my favorite pieces I've ever learned

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Rach on, man

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

AH. I had to play one of his pieces last year, when I was 13. Golly gee, they're damn hard.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm starting to think he didn't give a crap. Kinda like Beethoven.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

In a way, yeah! But also, no.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

So, he does not go to 11?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

But he could if he wanted to.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fuck you, Lassannn!

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

@Lassannn, thank you for this. Rachmaninoff is my all time favorite piano composer. Thank you again, Sir. +1

10 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 4

TIL that people have favorite concert pianists.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

You're very welcome.

10 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 12

Why would someone downvote a polite "you're welcome"?! C'mon folks, the hate train shouldn't go that far. It honestly shouldn't exist at all

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Are you expounding logic on the Net?

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 3

I have to post this every time someone mentions Rachmaninoff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKKlhYF53w&ab_channel=bySeb

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Someone REALLY likes Rachmaninov.

10 years ago | Likes 694 Dislikes 2

He is my former piano teacher's favorite composer/conductor/performer.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

It's me

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

It's me

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I love Rachmaninov. So nice to see him on Imgur

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

I love Rachmaninov. So nice to see him on Imgur

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

He really gets my Rachmaninov.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

it's me

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

I don't think that's that accurate.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He is my former piano teacher's favorite composer/conductor/performer.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He is my former piano teacher's favorite composer/conductor/performer.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

He is my former piano teacher's favorite composer/conductor/performer.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Rachmaninov had BIG HANDS https://youtu.be/CkNBWeWzha4

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

Very impressive! :)

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

you beat me to it

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

I got to see them live with the Minnesota Orchestra earlier this year. Hilarious and immensely talented. They did this song during the show.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I may or may not have played this for a high school band class....

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

TIL interesting things about a great Pianist & Composer. I've been taught I also need to write "Fuck you Lassannn"...still, thanks! ;)

10 years ago | Likes 280 Dislikes 7

You're welcome. :)

10 years ago | Likes 101 Dislikes 21

As an amateur pianist, thanks for the post! One tip: Use the Share -> "Start at" feature of youtube: https://youtu.be/UdJ2kMi0mJU?t=14m18s

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Okay buddy we forgive you partially

10 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 1

Contrariwise, I believe Franz Liszt built a piano that was smaller so he could reach more keys. The audience thought he played devils music.

10 years ago | Likes 214 Dislikes 2

I don't think Liszt would need a smaller piano. If you wanna talk about big hands...

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

i don't care how small that piano is. it doesn't make The Transcendental Studies any easier.

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

I think the pianist you're referring to is Josef Hofmann. Though that doesn't detract from the fact that Liszt still performed incredibly..

10 years ago | Likes 76 Dislikes 0

It was Hofmann, because he had small hands.

10 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 2

excoriated? really? Do you know how long it's been since i've had to look up a word? damn, man, pulling out ye olde thesaurus

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I apologize. :)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

don't worry about it, just knockin the rust off the old gears in the head; gotten out of the habit is all and squeekin like mad

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I like Bach too. That basically makes us the same

10 years ago | Likes 64 Dislikes 0

Sebastian Bach is not the same Bach

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Things they don't teach you in school.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

In the post you only said Bach, I'm going to assume JS and not CPE. No offense to CPE, he's great, but his dad is godmode

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yes, unless anyone says otherwise, "Bach" means J. S. Bach, and no one else.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I know I'm just being nit picky. CPE is one of my fav transition composers for late baroque early classical though.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hey I've heard od Bach. We must be twins! (Just kidding, I actually enjoy Classical music more than other music).

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Thank Holy God.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I now get an obscure willy wonka reference.

10 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 0

Yes! :) But Mrs. Teevee was wrong. It's actually Mozart. She's just being a smug bitch.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

http://imgur.com/94aKM1d

10 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 2

Yup that'd be it. Always thought she was saying "rock on and off"

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Wasn't she wrong though and it's actually not rachmaninoff?

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

It's Mozart.

10 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 2

Every time she talks she's wrong.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

This is great and all, but like, what do you do for a living, @OP ?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Okay, I ask because it seems like one would have to be independently wealthy to post as often as you, but now I'm worried it's the opposite.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I teach English.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

@Lassannn Yesssssssss! +1 Rachmaninoff!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Was it you requesting Rachmaninoff?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 4

I was commenting about him being one of my favourites a few days ago. So, maybe?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I think it was. Good! I was gonna link you and forgot.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

Glad you posted this. People need to know about this bear-handed man

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

+1 for Classical music on Imgur!

10 years ago | Likes 86 Dislikes 1

Yes!

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I'd like to see Alan Hovhaness and Charles Ives. 'MURICA! (no seriously, American classical music deserves more recognition)

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

And even in the world of Classical music, yes.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Ahem. This is romantic music, not classical music you ignorant swine.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

I was using "Classical" in the broader sense, distinguishing it from "popular" music. But I think you knew that. :)

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

I did, I was just being a snob because I'm currently in a class defining what "classical" music is :P

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Haha, cool. Well I'm a music professor! I teach music theory.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Don't need to be all smarts like you are.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nice! It's my goal to be a prof one day, teaching trumpet though. It's easier to teach spitting into a metal tube than music theory :)

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0