Notes from Dr. Duane Hulbert:
"Sergei Rachmaninoff was born 150 years ago. This episode of Learn & Love Music is my birthday tribute for this great composer. He's a Romantic composer who mixes in contemporary ideas and sounds that are timeless. And his melodies touch the soul like no others. Here are six reasons why I love Rachmaninoff. (Musical examples of those reasons follow.)
Reason 1: Rachmaninoff's music is dramatic (0:55) Études-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 9
Reason 2: Rachmaninoff's music is technically brilliant (3:25) Moment Musicaux in E minor, Op.16 No.4 (Musical Moment No.4)
Reason 3: Rachmaninoff's music uses clever structure and harmonies (5:56) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Variation 18
Reason 4: Rachmaninoff's music has soaring melodies (8:26) Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
Reason 5: Rachmaninoff's music is both Romantic and Contemporary (9:10) Rhapsody on a Theme
of Paganini, Variation 18
Reason 6: Rachmaninoff's music goes deep into your soul (9:54) Prelude Op.32 No.5 in G major
Bonus excerpt at end is from Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2, Mvt. II (Dr. Hulbert plays piano part and orchestra) (11:13)
To hear Dr. Hulbert talk about Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 (Why It's So Beautiful), please watch: • WHY IS Rachmaninoff's ...
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 late-romantic Russian composer Alexander Glazunov was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Solo Instrumental Recording. David Hurwitz of ClassicsToday.com called the CD “a production that makes the best possible case for this really excellent but sadly neglected repertoire.” Dr. Hulbert taught at the university level for over thirty years.
If you value classical music, please subscribe to our channel. Thanks!