Rachmaninoff, S :: Vocalise op. 34, No. 14

  • $9.75
  • Composer
    Rachmaninoff, S
  • Instrumentation
    Flute & Piano
  • Publisher
    International Music Company (IMC) [3321]
  • Editor
    Stallman, Robert
  • Orchestration
    fl, pn
  • Includes CD or Audio Download
    No
  • Classification
    Not Applicable
  • Genre
    Undefined
Qty:  

Vocalise op. 34, No. 14

Rachmaninoff, S

International Music Company presents Rachmaninoff's Vocalise op. 34, No. 14 for flute and piano transcribed and edited by Robert Stallman.

'Though his chosen instrument, the piano, is categorized as a percussion instrument, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) became one of music s most inspired melodists. His piano concertos burst with surging, soaring melodies, such as the glorious 18th variation of his 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini'. And alongside his instrumental works, he poured his lyrical gift into some 80 songs, whose popularity is only limited by their being in the Russian language and thus off-limits to many prominent international singers. One that is not hampered by language is the exquisitely beautiful 'Vocalise' that closes his set of 14 songs, opus 34, for it is a wordless composition for soprano, sung mostly on the vowel sound 'Ah.' It was written in 1915 for the coloratura soprano Antonina Nezhdanova, a star of the Moscow Grand Opera, and when she objected to the lack of a poetic text, the composer gallantly replied: 'What need is there of words, when you will be able to convey everything better and more expressively than anyone could with words by your voice and interpretation?' After 'Vocalise' was premiered in Moscow by Nezhdanova and Rachmaninoff in January 1916, Nikolai von Struve suggested to the composer that he orchestrate the work. Rachmaninoff promptly responded with arrangements for soprano and orchestra and for orchestra alone, and it is these versions that are most often heard today. Written in a minor key, like so many of Rachmaninoff s best pieces, 'Vocalise' has a melancholy undertone that reflects the composer s dark mood at this time, as Russia struggled through World War I and hovered on the brink of revolution. Its opening melodic phrase is an artfully disguised version of the ancient 'Dies Irae' ('Day of Judgment') plainchant theme for the Requiem Mass for the Dead; this grim musical idea was a recurring motive throughout much of Rachmaninoff s music. But the effortless, unending flow of melody unfolding in beautiful, arching phrases triumphs over the sadness.'

- Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

  • Composer
    Rachmaninoff, S
  • Instrumentation
    Flute & Piano
  • Publisher
    International Music Company (IMC) [3321]
  • Editor
    Stallman, Robert
  • Orchestration
    fl, pn
  • Includes CD or Audio Download
    No
  • Classification
    Not Applicable
  • Genre
    Undefined

All online purchases greater than $200 (before tax) are eligible for free shipping within the US. (Some Exceptions apply.) Online purchases over $200 being shipped to locations outside the United States do not qualify for free shipping. 

Items returned from a purchase utilizing the free shipping offer that brings the original invoice under $200 will result in the original shipping charge being re-applied.

Once shipment has reached its destination according to the shipping carrier tracking information selected, Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company is no longer responsible for the package.

*Please note that some items may vary slightly from the pictures on our website as manufacturers make changes to their products.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover for online purchases up to $10,000.

You may also assemble your order online and pay offline using the "Offline Payment" payment method during the checkout process. In this case, once you submit your order, you will be contacted via phone or email for payment details before your order is processed. For offline orders we accept personal checks, bank checks, money orders, or travelers checks, with other legal tender acceptable only per arrangement.


Customers who bought this product also bought

Customers who viewed this product bought