When life hurts too much, music is our only consolation.

So here is the finale of Rachmaninoff's Piano Sonata no.2, Op.36

My interpretation of this sonata is on the theme of the triumph over adversity, in the cold of the night blizzard that we call life, where the only solution is to become the blizzard itself (pardon the bad poetry). I play the 1913 version. Those who are only familiar with the 1931 version may find it interesting to hear the parts that bring more complexity to the piece but were later removed to make it more playable. My former teacher would probably tell me that my playing sounds like something out of an asylum in Moscow. But I needed to play this today.

Piano: Baldwin SD-10 concert grand

Wow, great playing! That's quite a piece. Thanks for sharing!

    That's an impressive storm!

    Rach 3 first movement was my piece to listen to at full volume when I needed a good cry... I don't think I can actually play anything big enough to let it all out. I hope you're doing ok and that playing this gave you some comfort ❀️

      twocats . I hope you're doing ok and that playing this gave you some comfort ❀️

      Haha thanks for the kind words! I was just dealing with some minor frustrations yesterday that turned out to be nothing. My post sounded more dramatic than intended. Maybe my way of honoring the slavic spirit of the piece!

      rogerch
      Thanks for listening, and for your kind words!

      By the way, this is the piece with which I broke my ES920πŸ˜…. I know you have the same DP, so be careful not to break yours! They're not the sturdiest instruments, but still the best DP in that price range IMO.

        Rubens By the way, this is the piece with which I broke my ES920πŸ˜…. I know you have the same DP, so be careful not to break yours! They're not the sturdiest instruments, but still the best DP in that price range IMO.

        Yikes! Are you able to fix your ES920? Mine is still holding up. I haven’t played any Rachmaninoff though.

          Rubens By the way, this is the piece with which I broke my ES920

          Whoa! It was not meant to be so abused πŸ˜‚

          I'm glad it was nothing serious yesterday!

            rogerch
            I ordered the part that is most likely broken. Can't wait to have it fixed!

            twocats
            I abuse it regularly indeed πŸ˜‚.

            You know with this music it's so easy to play overly heavy-handed, and then the clarity is lost. You won't believe me, but I keep reminding myself to play Rachmaninoff like it's Ravel, and yet it sounds the way it does. Still having trouble not unleashing the monster at every turn! It must be excess testosterone or something. (I just need an excuse.)

              Rubens with the amazing bass on your concert grand it would take a lot of self-control to hold back!

              5 days later

              Rubens Awesome, I'm glad you were able to fix it!

              Maybe order some extras for quick Rachmaninoff repairs? πŸ™‚

              You put in the work. You get to play it the way you want! πŸ˜„