Notes from pianist Dr. Duane Hulbert: "I have performed many of the works of Sergei Rachmaninoff, but the G-sharp minor Prelude, opus 32, No. 12 is new to my repertoire. I've found this short piece to be a rarely played treasure. It's not as famous as many of the composer's other preludes, but it has a mysterious beauty that I find intriguing.
(00:01--00:18:)The opening theme of the Prelude features a sweeping sixteenth note accompaniment in the right hand, while the left hand sings through a melancholy melody.
The next section (00:28) has a descending left hand melody in the left hand that is marked "meno mosso," or slowing down. Rachmaninoff uses "push and pull" tempo changes throughout this bridge section of the work
The development section (00:49) features a left hand transition in D# Minor. A dramatic bridge theme follows at (1:05) with a impetuous repetition of the bridge theme.
The music builds to a climax at (1:39).
An ominous theme appears in the left hand at (1:57)
and again at (2:08) as the music builds again.
At (2:07), listen for a beautiful rolled chord, followed by another. An exotic chord modulates through E-minor, D-sharp minor and finally arrives at the home key of G-sharp minor.
The coda section at the end is marked meno mosso or slowing down.
At (2:36) listen for the opening chords of the piece that are reiterated in the last five measures. A flashy brilliant pianissimo coda ends the piece quietly, where Rachmaninoff writes 'perdendo' or dying away. The final notes are heard with beautiful G-sharp minor harmonies oscillating in both hands.
Dr. Hulbert received his BA and MM from The Juilliard School of Music and his DMA from The Manhattan School of Music. Hulbert received the Gold Medal at the 1980 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, and also won prizes in the 1981 Leeds Competition and 1985 Carnegie Hall International American Music Competition. He has performed as a soloist with symphonies across the United States and has given recitals at Merkin Hall in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Benaroya Hall in Seattle. In 2002, his recording of the piano works of Alexander Glazunov was nominated for a Grammy Award. Dr. Hulbert taught at the university level for over thirty years.
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