Unit:
Department of Music StudiesLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Author:
Kamya - Maserouka Palaiologos
Supervisors info:
Μάρκος Τσέτσος, Καθηγητής
Ιάκωβος Σταϊνχάουερ, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής
Αικατερίνη Λεβίδου, Μόνιμη Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια
Original Title:
Τα έξι κομμάτια op. 11 του Σεργκέι Ραχμάνινοφ και η μουσική για πιάνο τέσσερα χέρια κατά τον 19ο αιώνα.
Translated title:
Sergei Rachmaninoff’s six Morceaux op. 11 and the music for piano four-hands in the 19th century.
Summary:
As part of my Bachelor’s Thesis, I decided to focus on Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Op. 11, a collection of six pieces for piano four hands. This particular work has always fascinated me because it represents a refined example of the composer’s early writing—one that already contains the richness we later encounter in his more “mature” works, from the Preludes and Moments Musicaux to his piano concertos (Nos. 2, 3, and 4).
In this collection, there are direct references to Russian themes, which can be found not only in other works by Rachmaninoff but also in compositions by other Russian composers. At the same time, the work features musical symbolism that reflects the “Russian soul” and is closely linked to the Orthodox faith. These musical symbols appear in other works by the composer as well, and their presence is particularly significant as they seem to be an integral part of Rachmaninoff’s compositional style.
An additional element that reinforces and ultimately highlights the “Russian character” of this work is the titles of certain pieces, such as Russian Theme and Slava.
Main subject category:
Fine arts - Entertainment
Keywords:
op. 11, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Slava
