The story behind the writing of this concerto is as interesting as the piece itself. Before this, Rachmaninoff hadn't written anything for the previous 3 years because of the depression caused by the disastrous (and that's putting it mildly) premiere of his First Symphony. He finally sought help through a therapist named Nikolai Dahl who put him a course of hypnotherapy (they called it auto-suggestion back then) and this piece was the result. He dedicated the piece to the doctor that treated him.

@MarkGodfrey73

6 ай бұрын

The passage starting 31:08 is said to be influenced by the hypnotherapy. There's a video on YT about why so many pianists play the wrong notes in this passage, said to be the most difficult section to play from memory in the entire piece.

Oh, one thing I'd like to share about the composer, Rachmaninoff. He was an impressive 6 ft. 6 in. tall, and his hands were so big he could play an octave (from the pinky to the thumb) of 12 notes on one hand.

@whocares_bear

10 ай бұрын

It's said he had Marfan syndrome. He was born into Aristocracy and there's a lot of genetic mutations in those types of families because of inbreeding with other connected royal/wealthy families.

@andresantos_

9 ай бұрын

an octave is 8 notes, 12 is not an octave

@kingvii7250

8 ай бұрын

@@andresantos_ I agree, but within the octave there is half steps, wich could add up to 12. Any how, feels like we are right in our thoughts, but have expressed it not so good maybe 😉

@justintimetoclashandbrawl3348

7 ай бұрын

@@kingvii7250 so Rachmaninoff can play 19 notes

@nicksipich1024

6 ай бұрын

Most people can play an octave. Rachmaninov was actually able to reach 14 notes. He would be able to play a C major arpeggio all the way up to E with one hand without moving

Rachmaninoff's most romantic work. It was my favorite at age 18, and amazingly, at the height of pop music, found a girl who also considered it her favorite.

As someone who has performed on stage like this, its both less and more nervewracking than youd think. And the time goes very quickly. 40 minutes feels like five.

I'm so jealous that this your first listen..what an amazing treat

I'm so glad you got to react to this masterpiece. I consider it to be one of the two best piano concertos ever written (the other being Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1). Such a pleasure to see you react to this and I'm a bit envious because you're hearing it for the first time. Oh, and what a beautiful smile you have :) Of course it was beautiful before but now it's a whole new level!

@lucievreacts

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Bob. I must agree, this is cream of the crop for sure.

Loved this piece since I first heard it on the Amtrak as a teenager. Russian Romantic Era + a hint of smooth jazz. It also sounds nautical at times. It's in my top 3 pianos concertos; the other two are Tchaikovsky's 1st and Grieg's only piano concerto.

My favorite concerto ever ❤

Also, the main theme in the second movement was taken and made into the song "All By Myself" by Eric Carmen, later redone by Celine Dion.

@martinmengh

2 ай бұрын

almost saw "Eric Cartman" ... and thought "oh kay " ...

Amazing composer.. A genius.. So admired all over the world.. Still now it's school... Just a little curiosity.. Did you know that Lara Fabián liberally toke inspiration from Concert n. 2 in C minor writing her beautiful song "Broken Vow"?? 😊 She had a classical training at the royal conservatory of bruxelles for 10 years and did study classic singing, piano and composition and of course she loves and admires that amazing genius of a composer!!

@3dbadboy1

Жыл бұрын

I just listened to it and I do notice the similarities in harmonies, just a beautiful song. You should make a request to Lucie to make a reaction. It's uncanny how much like Celine Dion she sings, such a beautiful quality.

love your reaction 🥰

25:30 here’s the part you’re looking for :)

@dylancardona4762

4 ай бұрын

Thxxxxx

@noneck9008

3 ай бұрын

Thanks mate

Nice to see you to react to this piece. Evgeny Kissin is one the greatest pianists of our time (the only one that came to the Moscow conservatory to be taught there by his own teacher because of his fame in his youth - played at twelve years old both Chopin concertos in a very mature manner). A very famous piece (9 minutes) that builds up melodies in intensity, is lyrical, dramatic, virtuoso and got dance and humor is the first ballade of Chopin played by Krystian Zimerman. Best regards from Germany.

@Ieiryeyh

Жыл бұрын

I agree, she should definitely react to the first ballade

Great conductor, fabulous orchestra, amazing soloist.

Это самое лучшее,что может быть создано Богом !Самое гениальное и прекрасное,от чего тело покрывается мурашками,а разум не может уместить в себя эту гениальность!Преклоняюсь ему и счастлив,что могу это слышать!!! 14:05

A very bold, very Russian interpretation. He's great.

In my final 15 minutes of my life I want to listen to the Adagio Sostenuto section of this magnificent masterpiece. Could this 2nd Piano Concerto be the greatest piece of music ever written? I'm literally obsessed with it.. Even the Gods stopped everything that they were doing, to listen to this.

Hey, if you liked this one you will like the third one. The popularity is pretty the same as the second concerto but the third one is a piece by rachmaninoff that has a more deep maturity as a sound to me. Its devilish but also beautiful and very very spectacular, even more demanding at some points. You should really react or hear by yourself this masterpiece. I recommend the devlish pianist Danil Trifinov or denis matsuev. They are both top class like Evgeny Kissin

@kitsuneneko2567

9 ай бұрын

I agree but I also think it's somewhat less accessible. It's got so much going on it's kind of like a wall of sound in places. This piece is much more lyrical and easier to follow I think.

@ianhuangncubed

8 ай бұрын

@@kitsuneneko2567 I agree I think Rach 3 really needs to be relistened to a good amount of times for it to sink in, and then it's incredible

@steveneardley7541

4 ай бұрын

The third is less accessible, even in the harmonies. I am a big fan of Trifinov. I don't always agree with his interpretations, but his interpretations are always so original and deeply felt.

Thanks!

@lucievreacts

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Stephen! 😊

You are forgetting that it's not just piano and strings... there is trumpets, trombone, french horn, clarinette, flute, oboe, basoon, timpani... ans so on.

Love this concerto, performance and your reaction! Please try Tchaikovsky's piano concerto N.1 and Swan Lake ballet(music or dance). Thank you so much!

oh please react to his third concerto! yefim bronfman is my recommendation (:

Nex the reaction AUDITION AGT PUTRI ARIANI.she,s so amazing.

When she said it sounds familiar around the 17 min. mark is because the melody is the original to the song ALL BY MYSELF from Celine Dion. A lot of pop or contemporary music had taken melodies from original classical pieces or works. This is truly one of my favorites piano pieces 🙂

@kitsuneneko2567

9 ай бұрын

It's not by Celine dion. That's a cover. It's by Eric Carmen. Or, rachmaninoff, if you want to be pedantic. :)

@fatitankeris6327

7 ай бұрын

There are many copies, like Plaisir d'amour's copy.