Rachmaninoff - Lilacs, op. 21 no. 5

I first came across this while listening to Rachmaninoff playing his own works in the album "A Window in Time", which has served me well during many long car rides. A very dreamy and uplifting piece, capped off with an exquisite final flourish. Originally written for voice and piano.
Set to the poem by Ekaterina Andreyena Beketova:
In the morning, at daybreak,
over the dewy grass,
I will go to breathe the crisp dawn;
and in the fragrant shade,
where the lilac crowds,
I will go to seek my happiness...
In life, only one happiness
it was fated for me to discover,
and that happiness lives in the lilacs;
in the green boughs,
in the fragrant bunches,
my poor happiness blossoms...
Piano: Kawai Novus NV10
Piano VST: Garritan CFX Full
My current CFX settings: forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthread...

[@user-qx7wi1hb4j]

I can see light pink lilacs and a very elegant girl on dress standing among them, in a light gush of gentle wind. ❤Bravo

[@Fanchen]

2:20 sooo smoooth, lovely playing!

[@bro-sc5yo]

rush e guy

[@VinLudens]

Breathtaking piece and performance! Your runs like the one at 2:20 always sounds like a breeze of fresh wind is blowing in your face

[@M.Alif-chess]

Literally every RACH piece is gorgeous

[@julianereinheimer1999]

I absolutely love your playing and the way you make the piano sing with your light but precisely expressing the emotion with each touch of each single note. In awe watching it. The poem is gorgeous.

[@rsaettone]

Holy moly, that was captivating. I read about this piece on a forum, had never heard of it before, and I'm so glad I came across your video!

[@Abstratosphere]

Glorious. Bravo! ❤

[@karma-5229]

Magnifique!

[@doremifadi]

Sooooo beautiful

[@darinkrumov1006]

Outstanding piece, outstanding performance! Thank you!

[@qooqoo1988]

simply elegant!!! I love your interpretation too.

[@PerseusWorld]

Amazing !

[@gilbert356]

Liked before I even started listening. Love your playing.

[@MH.Speedcrawler]

Beautiful piece! And wonderfully performed. I loved the final flourish. Thank you for sharing. Hope all Is well and happy 2021

[@markpennington3476]

Very nicely done! More difficult than one might think, I know from my own rather halfhearted runs at it over the years. Thank you so much for posting it.

[@ernestmathewson828]

lovely,,,,

[@megalomaniacko1]

I have been enamoured.

[@arje5651]

thank you

[@randomguy6934]

That was very pretty!

[@france4me117]

She play like heaven xoxo Rachmaninov No1 for me

[@tigresen5660]

This is the best recording I’ve heard of this piece on KZbin. Fantastic playing.

[@bex_lynne]

Beautifully done!! I’m gonna try copying you with the left hand on the white keys on that second to last line, been trying to figure out how to get that part down.

[@alexkliever4659]

You play absolutely beautifully! Impeccable phrasing and control! Are you playing an acoustic Kawai? Or is it a high end Kawai digital? Sounds amazing.

[@rach3master]

Thanks! This is a Kawai digital connected to the computer that plays a virtual piano sound library.

[@peteypablo2081]

Wonderful! Say I have a yamaha Nu1x. Like you were from reading on the pianoworld forum, I'm struggling to add a vst to my hybrid. It's confusing and want to get a great sound (as well as other sounds). Mind if I ask for your help? Keep up the great playing :)

[@M.Alif-chess]

I love 1:17

[@jonathanflory6681]

I‘m trying to find this version it has an alternative ending compared to alle the other versions…

[@gilbert356]

By the way I think the natural light is much much better than the yellowish light from your other videos. Hope all your videos will use that kind of lighting onwards. Or do you prefer the yellowish background for some pieces?

[@rach3master]

I prefer natural light too. But sometimes I only have time to record at night.

[@dannys-pianoconnections5169]

SUUUUPER !!!

[@razielakos1]

Can u please play From Final Fantasy XV Melancholia?

[@GeneralB0B]

Bravo! I see you changed from avant-grand to novus 10, why? greetings from paris

[@ralphrestubog5519]

I'd guess it's mostly the superior Millennium III Action since he uses Garritan CFX VST.

[@megalomaniacko1]

I would love to hear your interpretation of Op.21 N° 9 Melody, Op. 26 N° 10 Before my window, Op. 34 N° 10 The morning of life, Op. 38 N° 5 Sleep, Op. 38 N° 6 The Quest... and Op. 33 N° 3.

[@genequinn6185]

I would mogg

[@danielasaph2675]

What's the best piano vst for you?

[@rach3master]

Probably Garritan CFX.

[@frankiewai5572]

Your interpretation is my favourite of this piece on KZbin. I was wondering about 1:51-2:09. It sounds unlike what's written in the score as found on imslp. Are there different versions of this transcription?

[@rach3master]

Thanks. I think he revised the original elaborate version to this more simplified one.

[@frankiewai5572]

@@rach3master Could not seem to find the revised transcription online. IMSLP versions have the sextuplets at the top of the fourth page that he possibly revised to a simpler version. The upper voice in the 3/4 section that follows on that page has also been revised into a middle voice with accompaniment on the highest voice. Any chance you could forward me the score you used? It'd be much appreciated. I'm trying to learn this piece myself but I prefer the version that you play.

[@frankiewai5572]

I wouldn't mind purchasing my own copy of the score either. I just want to have the same score you learned. If you could forward the website link where you purchased your copy, that'd be just as great!

[@rach3master]

@@frankiewai5572 www.amazon.com/Piano-Works-Rachmaninoff-Vol-Transcriptions/dp/076923450X/ I own this collection of pieces, but I think this link should be the revised piece by itself. www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/lilacs-sheet-music/1558306

[@frankiewai5572]

@@rach3master Much appreciated! Thanks so much! And also thanks for the music you post on your channel! You have a wonderful sense of voicing and musicality. I thoroughly enjoy your Nier piano collection covers!

[@jugchug9619]

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