Rachmaninoff - Moment Musicaux Op. 16 No. 4 in E Minor (Patreon)

Rachmaninoff. Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 No. 4 - Presto. This was was composed by the then 23-year-old, during a period in which he decided he would not compose. He was waiting for the premiere of his first symphony, and didn’t want to write anything until it was performed. His decision changed, however, when he was robbed on a train, and lost ‘a substantial sum of money.’ Hence, he wrote this composition to recoup his losses.

The work comprises a set of movements that together summarize his knowledge of piano composition up to that point. Each movement references an existing style. This movement was written in the format of the virtuoso Etude, pioneered by Chopin, specifically referencing his Revolutionary Etude. It does so with rippling, never-ending left hand figures and a minimal right hand melody.

Soon after composing this set, Rachmaninoff had his disastrous premiere of his first symphony, after which the composer fell into a deep depression. After three years of composing very little or not at all, Rachmaninoff re-emerged with his triumphant second symphony - perhaps the only composition that is dedicated to a psychologist - as Rachmaninoff dedicated it to the physician that helped him recover and find joy in both music and life again. I hope you enjoy this performance by Tae-Seung Park, and I hope you get some rest on these last few days before Christmas ♥