RACHMANINOFF – Prelude in C# minor – 12 Violoncello Soloists

Other Identification: PRELUDE in C# minor, – Sergei RACHMANINOFF. Op.3/2 (composed in 1892). Rachmaninoff composed the Prelude in C-sharp minor in the summer of 1892, at the age of just 18, and first performed it at the Moscow Electric Exhibition in September of 1892, where the music critics noted that it had “aroused enthusiasm”. It became the most famous part of a set of five piano pieces titled ‘Morceaux de fantaisie’. Its popularity grew very rapidly thereafter, to the point where the public simply asked for “the Prelude”! At other times there were shouts of “C-sharp minor!”. Even towards the end of Rachmaninoff’s performing career it was reported that no recital of his ever ended without this prelude as a final encore. Inside Russia it also got the nickname ‘The Bells of Moscow’ since the three note low register ostinato was thought to have been imitating the Kremlin’s most solemn carillon chimes. The prelude has been arranged for orchestra in several versions; that of Stokowski is truly outstanding. It has been included in numerous film tracks, but few other people seem to dare to use this material – one exception being a delightful recreation for solo guitar by virtuoso Edith Pageaud. However, it would appear that a transcription has never been contemplated for an ensemble of cellos, so David Johnstone happily offers this present one for 12 cellists, all of whom need to be good players!