Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2

Have you ever felt calm before the storm? The stir under the water before the waves. This is the captivating attraction given by the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2.

The piano reveals the concerto in serenity, like the giant bell ringing from an ancient kingdom. The sound is deep and dark, and in serenity, the piano becomes strong, like the bell rings coming nearly. This is the beginning of the storm. Then the bell ring becomes louder, four notes fall off heavily from the darkness like the raindrops of the storm.

The notes follow each other and the cloudburst starts. The main theme begins. The orchestra plays the tempest. It releases the stress and lets go of ourselves. These are the most obsessing melodies I could ever hear from a concerto.

In less than a minute, the Piano Concerto No. 2 has already taken my heart. The piano and the orchestra play together like the rain in the storm. Sometimes it drops heavily on the land, and sometimes it touches the window gently. The storm never rests, and the orchestra creates the climax after the strong performance of the piano. It is the magnificent power of the storm. In the end, the piano leads the orchestra out of the storm, and leaves us a provoking exit.

The second movement is the peace after the storm. The city finally gets its peace after the turbulence. The darkness of the night dissolves, and the black clouds disperse slowly. The warm sunlight comes out from the sky tenderly. The piano hears our thoughts. The music wakes up our old days. Those days of innocence and happiness. Those days without calculation and complication. The old time of infinite view and sky. Thinking of those days, the piano becomes stronger.

Following the music, we walk out of our memories, and face the reality again. In this precious moment of peace, those old memories should be passed and the future will provide comfort.

Then the lively third movement. Rachmaninov has brought us out of the storm, and shared the beautiful peace with us. Now, after the struggles and enjoyment, after the huge ups and downs, we can finally welcome everything happening in our lives. The melody of the piano rises and becomes strong. The orchestra follows, implying something huge is coming.

In the end, the orchestra plays the victorious music. The strings and the piano rise together like the steps taken by humans welcoming the winning moment. Now, we reconcile with the depression and predicament of the past with relief, and we face the unknown in the future with peace.

Facing the failure of the premiere of the First Symphony, Rachmaninov went through depression and was unable to create until he met the hypnotherapist Dr. Dahl. After Dr. Dahl’s treatment, Rachmaninov came back to the stage with this breathtaking Piano Concerto No. 2.

Perhaps only when going through the darkest depression in life can we have the gentle sunlight, and only when we bounce back from the most heartbreaking failure can we have courage to walk to the unknown and the upcoming success.

Rachmaninov has led us to experience the beauty of music, and his life of legend.