From misery to melody - Ep 20: Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Number 2

Tortured by a lack of confidence and an oversupply of vodka, Rachmaninoff was at rock bottom. This is the story of how he not only crawled back from the brink, but managed to drag a musical masterpiece along with him.
Like, share, leave your comments and support us on PATREON! 👇 / classics
👇Visit www.classicsexplained.com for official merch👇
Follow us on Facebook for channel news and more classical music: / classicsenjoyed
Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Work: Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.18
Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy, London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Andre Previn
Year: 1970
Label: Decca
Catalogue No: 4448392

[@psychokinese]

Nota Bene : Dr Dahl was an accomplished violonist. In 1925 he fled to Beyrouth (Lebanon) where he once played in the orchestra of the American University of Beyrouth the 2nd concerto of Rachmaninoff. When the audience learned that the person which the piece was dedicated was playing in the orchestra they asked him to take a bow.

[@ClassicsExplained]

What a lovely moment.

[@callmeqt1269]

How *dare* you label your own note “bene”? I’ll be the judge of that! Actually it was pretty good.

[@quintorezwalker5210]

@@ClassicsExplained can you do Puccini's Tosca and explain why is tragic and why three characters never survived in each three acts.

[@psychokinese]

@@ClassicsExplained indeed

[@minnieyuyantung]

@@ClassicsExplained will you introduce Paganini or Liszt

[@ChiefQueef92]

My favourite musical piece. Not a boring second in any of the three movements. Flawless masterpiece.

[@ososnake97]

it's a perfect 100/100 masterpiece indeed

[@SlaserX]

Same, it's perfect. I discovered it through Nodame too 😂

[@niculaelaurentiu1201]

The "not a boring moment" is so true!! And so rare, it delights all the way through

[@brandonmartin5650]

Rachmaninoff always said it was awkward to play, he preferred the 3rd piano concerto as it "fell easier under the fingers"😂. Both are fine concerti, but the story behind this one, makes it edge ahead with all its beauty.

[@Ipkesfra]

Rachmaninov:it’s too easy to me 😂

[@blohot]

Rach 2 is the most memorable musical composition that I have ever heard. It transports me instantly to another world, one that is full of serenity and wonder.

[@alex9920ro]

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no. 2 is perhaps the greatest piano concerto ever written, such a deep, complex, and emotional composition. I love it so much!

[@suzyserling277]

And the OSCAR goes…to each and every episode of “Classics Explained”!!!

[@briansadler5225]

13:28 and ends with his standard ending of using his name as the rhythm, “Rach-man-i-noff!”

[@davidcrook5511]

And I never noticed that! 👍😊

[@brianahn9238]

There is no greater piece than Rach’s 2nd. From the sorrowful first movement, to the romantic second, and the triumphant third. Every moment is so lovely.

[@_zyphis_2281]

I feel like you’ve really taken on the advice from the survey. You’ve treated the genuine sadness of Rachmaninov’s story respectfully whilst still incorporating a good level of comedy. This may be my new favourite episode :)

[@igorkazagrandi6298]

With respect, I do not agree with what you have said about treating ‘the Rachmaninov’s story’ respectfully. I find it quite opposite, to boot, the Russian accent sounds silly and out of place completely.

[@randomchannel-px6ho]

The second concerto definitely feels programmatic. The first 2 minutes are almost like shouting "I'm sad help" and then we modulate to Eb major and get that iconic piano melody (which is possibly my favorite ever) which is almost like being hypnotized

[@Sagolel4797]

This is probably my favourite piece of classical music and when I got to see it live in the local philharmonic concert hall I was moved in a way no concert before or after has ever achieved. I felt like I could run all the way home afterwards with the amount of energy that performance had given to me.

[@sashakoul5015]

Fully agree!

[@tinatinkakhidze3216]

This is great.❤️ I love Rachmaninoff and his second piano concerto so much.❤️ thank you for making this video. i am only 13 and i am really passionete about classical music, but children my age hardly ever listen to it. I am always emberrased to say anything about my music taste but i know that liking classical music is not emberassing and i am afraid they will laught at me. I wish more people would listen to classical music. ❤️❤️your videos deserve much more views.

[@puffadder92]

Oh, this is SUCH a good choice!! 2nd movement is my absolute favorite

[@eosborne6495]

It’s amazing to me how much the melodic and harmonic vocabulary in the 2nd piano concerto prefigures that of Gershwin or even John Williams, even though Rachmaninoff could not possibly have been familiar with jazz and blues at that time. I always assumed it was the American folk influence that made those composers so uniquely soulful and catchy, but perhaps it was the influence of Rachmaninoff as well!

[@mariab5952]

5:30 THIS SailorMoon reference lmao 😂

[@ericleiter6179]

Eric Carmen knew he was lifting the melody from this concerto...he just thought that it must have been public domain by that point (1975)...so he probably did have an expression like that when the Rachmaninoff estate came knocking!!!

[@callmeqt1269]

This is *TOO* exciting! What a moving piece and perfect story for this channel.

[@neon0325]

Although the 3rd Concerto is my ultimate favorite the 2nd holds a special place in my heart as it being the first time I was introduced to Rachmaninoff in a live concert with the fabulous Olga Kern.

[@theelerdingteam6263]

@neon0325 - honest question for you: do you feel that the 3rd would still be your favorite had it not been for the movie ‘Shine’? I’m torn with the same question in my own life - I truly believe that had it not been for Shine, his 2nd would probably be first on my ‘favorite’ list.

[@neon0325]

@@theelerdingteam6263 I can honestly say yes because up till this point I have never heard of that movie, but having now looked it up will for sure be watching it in the near future.

[@vinceblanket1327]

Space Dementia is one of my fav songs :))) Glad you referenced muse

[@elevatingnyc7793]

Oh rachmaninoff, if it weren't for your music I wouldn't know how great the piano could be, I couldn't appreciate classical music, and I'm glad you were alive, and you wrote this comeback piece from your first symphony. I really wanted to meet you in real life. Thank you Rachmaninoff.

[@DyingSunberry]

I love your videos so so so sooo much. It extremely saddens me that you are so underrated despite the AMAZING animations and storytelling. Please keep making videos, if you stop I might have a heart attack.

[@LambentOrt]

I love all of his piano concertos, but the 2nd is very special. Such a great composer. My favourite piece by him is probably the All-Night Vigil.

[@rafaxnc8897]

This channel is so underrated

[@Laverti12345]

This and dvoraks ninth are my favorite pieces. Never get tired of listening to them

[@ClassicsExplained]

If you enjoyed this episode, hit that like button as if it was a second hand Timpani, it really helps us reach a bigger audience. And as a small token of gratitude for your continued support we're offering everyone a 15% discount in our store, valid until the end of November. Code: TH3RAPY. Thank you everyone! www.classicsexplained.com

[@meganlewis2377]

Are you going to make Pastoral Symphony, Songs of the Night, Bartered Bride, Barber of Seville and Pines of Rome?

[@williamstephens9945]

Second hand Timpani 🤣🤣

[@jacksonelmore6227]

There’s a statue of Rach in my town, Knoxville TN. ALLEGEDLY, like Hank Williams and Randy Rhoads, he played his final show here before dying His 2nd concerto has been an inspiration and somewhat of a contrapuntal/orchestral blueprint for my own symphony Rach truly channeled god’s love and light in that piece and “redeemed” himself

[@orffrocks5667]

I like the Rorschach quality especially during the French Horn development. Another masterpiece. Touche!

[@salmonidae3667]

You know what would be wild on this channel? A video on the Miraculous Mandarin. Probably one of the wildest stories I've ever seen for an orchestral piece yet it is so well-told through music by Bartok.

[@lisys511]

Miraculous mandarin really similar to the rite of spring

[@ericleiter6179]

Musically, in its intensity, it is similar to the Rite of Spring...but as far as the program involved, they are quite different

[@lisys511]

Bartoks 6 romanian dances also a good idea

[@txbooklvr]

I played this on cello with my community orchestra a couple of weeks ago! It was very difficult to learn, but I was so mesmerized by the pianist soloist, my wrong notes weren’t noticeable on the recording haha. Love this concerto, it has beautiful piano melodies as well as spectacular orchestration, even though it is very difficult for a beginner cellist like myself 😂

[@musicality621]

My Favorite concerto and great story telling!

[@crustyaf1s]

I LAUGHED when i saw the notebook… pls keep making more videos like this 🎉❤

[@tirolerhut79]

- Scriabin Poem de l extase - Mendelssohn Midsummer Nights Dream - Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture - Respighi Pines of Rome - Bach Goldberg Variations - Schumann Davidsbündlertanze - Mahler Symphony 2 - Brahms Violin Concerto - Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem - Verdi Aida - Bizet Carmen - Janacek Sinfonietta - Janacek Glagolithic mass or composers already covered before, but would love to see an episode of these: - Stravinsky Petrouchka - Prokofiev Cinderella - Tchaikovsky Swan Lake - Mozart Don Giovanni - R. Strauss Death and transfiguration

[@rashnadalal3054]

After listening to the story behind this wonderful piece of music, Rach2 has somehow catapulted itself to my top 3 favourite pieces of music!! 👏👏👏 Thank you, Thank you

[@TJ042]

This is my favorite piano concerto, I immediately fell in love with it!

[@redwater2439]

Love this video! Love the storytelling and subtle but not cringey humour!

[@AHappyAvocado]

Thank you so much for a beautiful video about my favorite piece of music.

[@Joshua555Park]

Thank you for using Ashkenazy’s version This piece actually changed my life as a musician along with this performance~

[@sashakoul5015]

EPIC EPIC VIDEO TO AN EPIC PIECE OF MUSIC. Bravo!❤

[@moosicisthegood]

Such a massive step up from your first episode. I love this! Keep it up! 🔥👍

[@nightshockplayz5894]

Wonderful piece! Thanks for the amazing video!

[@aravindappat]

Nice to see Benjamin back in the videos again. You can see the effort put into the voice acting as well. Bravo! 😊

[@sksk-bd7yv]

Thank you so much! Your channel has opened the doors to classical music for me. Now rarely a day goes by without some classics.

[@jackwilson4892]

Yes!!! I've been waiting for this video :))

[@psycho.wonderland5605]

Probably my most favorite concerto ever ❤❤❤❤

[@seanwilliams5953]

That was incredible! I was literally in massive chills so many times during this video! Thank you! I’m subscribing and can’t wait to check what’s more on this great channel!

[@slkdfjklasasdfasdf]

This is by far my favorite single piece of classical music. I'm super stoked you chose this for one of your episodes. I was hoping this would be covered, and I'm thrilled to finally see it. Keep up the awesome work!

[@aravindappat]

Ok lets goooooo! 🔥🔥

[@jctu0108]

Great video

[@RiversNate]

Hey man, thank you so much for your channel. Your videos provide me with very good introduction ideas when teaching music lessons to middle school students. You are really geniuses.

[@redbrian3655]

WOW! This was so so so so good! Benjamin et al, you simply continue the excellence. Thanks

[@ThiccTropius]

I think we can learn a lot about Rachmaninoff. His crippling depression was all because he put a ton of effort into his fist concerto only to get screwed up by a conductor who drank prior to it, his idols lambasted him harshly to an unneccissary degree and was rich whe he was a child but his father screwed that up. It's like his depression isn't just caused by trauma, more than likely a bunch of people in his life that kept screwing him over out of foolishness or out of malice. In the end if it wasn't for Dahl, he wouldn't have written this masterpiece and people wouldn't be talking or praising him. Reminder that if someone is depressed, they have been more than likely screwed over repeatedly over the course of their life adjust want that one person who can not only help get them out of their slump but they can rely on if they need help or a confidence boost

[@touchyvivace]

Omg your works is amazing, deserve more view

[@davi_duck]

Beautiful analysis on the composition and Rachmaninoff! I always found his story very inspiring: in his dark, low moments, he created something so beautiful.

[@aguiar2839]

What an incredible video!

[@79Tomasso]

A glowing masterpiece for sure. Great video.

[@gabsososo]

Amazing as always. You're awesome

[@benji104]

Although I knew the story in and out, this was a fantastic and well-made video!

[@nbeutler1134]

Amazing video as always

[@brownk.9829]

♡ this channel

[@bio6588]

What the hell! I’m at Music uni right now and we’re playing this piece in symphony orchestra for our Rachmaninoff 150th bday weeklong event! What a coincidence you post this. Been watching for a long time and will keep on watching everything you get put out! Much love! ❤

[@pakeeroothuman1970]

Love this piano concerto.

[@yingyangmapper5399]

Love the more regular uploads ❤!

[@j.m.b.8628]

What a brilliant animation, I congratulate you for the great work you do. I enjoyed it very much. I would pay to travel back in time and hear Rachmaninoff and Siloti premiering the second Concerto. Greetings from Argentina, Buenos Aires.

[@grisha4167]

Thank you! Huge tune Seryoga!

[@lordt8184]

Was waiting for this

[@maxiweimer9169]

You Guys doing Great please make more Videos about Classical Pieces. I love them so much!! !

[@MorishaALynn]

I LOVE this Channel! 🥰

[@lisys511]

Me too :3

[@MrSabah8787]

Nicely conveyed; excellent work ❤🎉

[@elizabeth6071]

I love it , thank you

[@FREDGARRISON]

Do you think Rachmaninov was singing "OH YOU BEAUTIFUL DAHL, YOU GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL DAHL" after he got his life back together? Nice video with a slight touch of humor in it....

[@etc_cubing5717]

I love this channel

[@DrEdelMusic]

Fabulous! 😅🎵✨

[@AnnikaCoyucoCutecats]

Thanks for introducing me to a wonderful piano masterpiece...and Space Dementia

[@user-sx9fi8ft8z]

Benjamin and company how far you have come since Scherazade 😮. Somehow you have picked all my favorites and as a fan I have put together a 3 page listing of suggested subject matter😂. But as a fan I am still trying to figure out how to conjure up a bigger appreciative audience. Well anyway you have become a storyteller extravaganza. Thanks for being you. Namaste.

[@davidcrook5511]

Hello again hugely enjoyable thank you!!! 😊

[@ClassicsExplained]

Hello! Thank you for watching

[@yaarshemash5454]

YES YES YES! the is my favorit piece of all time

[@chrisbaker2059]

I absolutely love his 1st Symphony! I hope that gives him some solace in his afterlife. 😅

[@SophieLeung-du9we]

This is my fave piano concerto thx so much @ClassicsExplained

[@jennifermorris6848]

Rachmaninov really is embodied in the song All By Myself. Lyrically. As well as the obvious. What buttheads are peers who tell you that you suck? Therapy works.

[@amazingessence2368]

bravo! bravoo!! another masterpiece about a masterpiece! muchas gracias Señor🙏🧡

[@mikehughes6582]

It baffles me how his composer friend could have said Rachmaninov had no talent after listening to this beautiful concerto.

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

One more great example of why you should encourage others to make the best use of their talents. Bravo Dr. Dahl. 😁🎶🎹🎶Play On

[@peterharris3563]

Coming from a musical family, I have been familiar with many of the pieces you have featured since early childhood. Your story telling and animations have shed new light on old favourites. Are you going to do follow to this video up with Rachmaninov's choral symphony "The Bells" Or perhaps you could indulge one of my other passions with your take on Honegger's tautologous piece, Pacific 231?

[@dariomosbo4270]

My god, this is going to be, wait for it... ... ... LEGENDARY, L E G E N D A R Y

[@rubenbuehler]

great video

[@honeymanya]

I love that you are so precise so even draw the SPb big philharmonic (:

[@u1zha]

I didn't recognize that, but Zverev was extremely accurately depicted

[@ddf72778]

​@@u1zhabut Zverev was an excellent teacher

[@lisys511]

@@ddf72778No hes evil because he loves to lock his students for years if they did nothing wrong which is super cruel

[@djmasterspanks3172]

Thank you

[@andyroblin9925]

please don’t stop uploading these kinds of videos

[@jamesroganelectronics]

7:25 the horn player is animated in such a cursed way!! As a horn player this was a painful 5 seconds. Good video otherwise, very moving and informative!

[@sh_aspking]

underrated

[@ShinerCCC]

i've never heard this piece but this video brought tears to my eyes...probably because I'm also depressed and can't compose! I can't wait to go listen to this one

[@MichalDirer]

i never hears about someone composing and doesn't know Rachmaninoff second :) kididng. peace from Slovakia :)

[@TristanMA]

You mentioned Alexander Glazunov in this Survey. He is another student of Rimsky-korsakov and wrote works such as The Sea, Spring, The Seasons, The Forest, & From the Middle Ages.

[@olucca1072]

Hey nice video! I really would like to see a video about Prelude in C# minor from Rachmaninoff too ! It's a piece with a lot of versions about the way it was composed

[@johnsauma5652]

Great video as always. I had no clue that Rachmaninoff had dedicated his concerto to his therapist! Could I suggest you do a video about Prokofiev's Sinfonia Concertante? The almost father-like relationship between him and Rostropovich is really interesting!

[@atlantamx3]

EASILY one of THE BEST pieces of music ever written.

[@chrisperry6186]

Baby Shark says hi. Rach 2 is a distant second.

[@chip715715]

thats so me in the beginning. Me telling myself in bed telling myself i will write music

[@chip715715]

not the magicial girl transition 5:30 that made me laugh

[@hello-rq8kf]

LMAO HOW DID I MISS THAT i feel like rach would have watched madoka. possibly been a homura stan

[@pigo1212]

Man thats a killer vid omg

[@kranzandstern]

Loved seeing Fortuna in the audience. Love the Easter Eggs.

[@inakigonalez4240]

Nice video as always, loved it. Maybe you should do next the oratory “the seasons” by Haydn