When Music Speaks: The Soul-Stirring Legacy of Rachmaninov and Pianist Lang Lang"
The emotional power of music
The great composer Rachmaninov carried the 19th-century Romantic flame into a new century, reminding the world of the power of melody, emotion, and expression even as the musical landscape around him was changing. That's why we still see him as a Romantic at heart. You don't just hear his music. You feel it deeply and emotionally.
The Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 is one of those pieces of music that sticks with you, even if you're not really into classical music. There's something about it that's deeply emotional and powerful. You're being taken on a journey when you listen to it. Lang Lang, the pianist, does an amazing job bringing this piece to life.
I've listened to it repeatedly and find it just as inspiring and exciting each time. I want to share that feeling with all of you.
Rachmaninov was a Russian composer whose music is known for being emotional. In his second piano concerto, his powerful emotions are expressed in their full range, from serene and gentle to stormy. He wrote it after going through a rough patch in his life. When his first piece didn't get the response he hoped for, he faced a creative block and even some depression. Writing Piano Concerto No. 2 helped him break through whatever was causing him distress.
When you hear Lang Lang play this concerto, it's like he's pouring all the feelings Rachmaninov put into the music. Lang Lang is famous for being an expressive player, and some people say his performances are mesmerizing. I am one of those who is mesmerized by Lang Lang. He brings the whole story behind the music to life. He commands the orchestra more dramatically than playing Rachmaninov's concerto.
The concerto has three movements, each with its own vibe. The first starts slow and sad but then builds into something grand and powerful. Lang Lang's style stands out here. He takes the audience through the quiet moments and then hits them with bursts of energy.
But don't just take my word for it—give it a listen!
Beethoven's "Kreutzer" Sonata (truly a gift from the gods!) dominates my entire series, *The Passion of Elena Bianchi.* Many different works affect other authors (and people) in similar ways.
Here is another twist to your Rachmaninoff story. The gifted pianist, Christopher Falzone, transcribed both the 2nd and 3rd concerti for solo piano. Alas, he committed suicide at age 29.
I can recommend a number of his recordings, but I think the slow movement of the Rachmaninoff 2nd -- his solo piano arrangement -- speaks volumes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFoPX3LoDxY, starting at 10:57.
I agree! This is why I listen to Baroque music at the gym. I have written an essay on how I am affected by Beethoven’s revolutionary Symphony no. 3 that I will probably publish in about three weeks.