Is't not rock .... it's Rachmaninoff!

When I took piano lessons early in life I was not exposed to some of the piano masters and Rachmaninoff was one of these.  In fact I did not really know any of his music until my son played a killer rendition of Rachmaninoff's piano Prelude Opus 3 Number 2 in C# minor.

Written at the age of 19, just out of the conservatory, it was Rachmaninoff's first composition as a free artist.

When my son played this, at 18, in his last recital, it was on a grand piano in a church and he played with such vigor that the piano was shaking and the volume of the music in the chapel was deafening.

Enjoy this piece as I have referenced here three different renditions ... all different interpretations and all powerful.

Kissen version

Barton version  (this one has a great view from above the hands of the musician)

Asai version

All very good ... all awesome to listen to and NONE as good as what my son did!

Back to Bach

The second of four Bach Orchestral Suites was written to highlight the flute.  Bach actually called these pieces "Overtures" and that was the opening for each of the four suites ... an overture, followed by a formulaic group of songs ... usually including several dances.  Suite 2, in d minor (BWV 1067) ends with what is perhaps the most challenging flute piece and no one delivers this better than Neville Marriner's Academy of St. Martin in the Fields:

Bach Orchestral Suite #2 in d Minor (Marrier)