Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead, Symphonic poem Op. 29 - Andrew Davis

[@MichaelConwayBaker]

I first heard this music when I was five. I'm 84 and never get tired of it. A true masterpiece!

[@famprima]

What a wonderful life of music you have!

[@franzlugosi7295]

​@Halil Yaşar come on that's a macabre thing to ask someone

[@KommSusserT0d]

@@franzlugosi7295 you have a point, but when I read your name I died laughing

[@Evelynmagic]

May you relish many more masterpieces. 😇🤝

[@lilangeldreams2846]

you're here since 2007 ?? wo, shoot I feel young

[@alcinado2072]

Interesting fact : Rachmaninov composed this piece only after a black and white reproduction of Böcklin's painting. When he saw the real painting some years later, he said that the colors weren't at all how he had imagined them. If he had seen the real painting first, he would have composed this symphonic poem totally differently.

[@Aerodumb]

I think it would be less dark

[@paulbeard4218]

And we'd all love to hear that version .

[@cengizinal8678]

well, I'm glad he didn't! :)

[@lucyseyes1590]

Better this way round.

[@martymodus7205]

Yes, although I think the quote implies that he wouldn't have even composed the work: "If I had seen first the original, I, probably, would have not written my Isle of the Dead. I like it in black and white."

[@josephanthony8585]

This painting is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It is located by itself in a small room or cubicle with a bench in front of it while this music is playing. I sat on that bench transfixed looking at this painting while this music was playing. I stayed through the entire 21 minutes of its playing time.

[@lekink5069]

Thx

[@Jonsson474]

There were actually five versions of this painting, painted between 1880 and 1886 but one of them was unfortunately destroyed. The one in the metropolitan art gallery is the second version. The one in this video is the one in the old national gallery in Berlin, Germany and not the one in New York.

[@Wolfsgejaule]

It's true, i was the bench

[@Raskolnikovtzs]

Hitler was obsessed with this painting. In fact, he had one of the several versions made by Arnold Böcklin himself.

[@KomissarLohmann]

good for you

[@patchpatch4008]

I am so grateful that Signalis introduced me to these series of paintings by Arnold Böcklin.

[@totomzn]

Same here!

[@gallowglass719]

I love how this piece constantly builds tension. Makes it difficult to stop listening.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

And, that's the point...

[@PavelDGromnic]

The awe conjured up in the moment when the shore is finally realized takes my breath away.

[@faridelkhatib4368]

Min 8/9 is the plateau

[@cristianmicu]

life is tension until it isn't.. shows how deep this goes into creating this... rachmaninov such a genius

[@jessicakespohl8340]

Rachmaninoff was not 6'6". That is classic Internet error. Eugene Ormandy said he was about 6'3", as did other friends. He also was underrated because modernist music was on the ascendant in his time. He was dissed by critics, but it's well to remember the quote from Sibelius, "Pay no attention to critics. No one ever erected a statue to a critic".

[@DCM8828]

I would say that a critic might be able to in good conscience unfavorably criticize Rachmaninoff if he or she could even pretend to write with the brilliance, originality, virtuosity, beauty and depth than Rachmaninoff wrote.

[@melvynobrien6193]

I teach piano; Rachmaninoff had big hands. Most of the finest pianists in the world consider him to have been the greatest pianist of the recording era. Not to mention his brilliant compositions.

[@Diniles]

@S G Well he was hardly a music critic lol

[@IrrelevantPlease]

hah! Fantastic quote. I am saving that one.

[@pmlouisjuste]

@@Diniles haha lol

[@pppaaaooo13]

This painting needs its own movie!

[@Apøłłø-Corvinus]

Reminds me of the ending of Black Butler, so gentle but dark as well.

[@winterstorm8412]

pppaaaooo13 Somehow reminds me of when King Arthur was mortally wounded, that he was taken to the Isle of Avalon.

[@OiOBlinkingOwl]

He is canonically either Arthur's son or just his nephew (depending on the literature) born from his relations with Morgana.

[@YamiKodoku]

Somebody knows the name of this painting?

[@adrianovasco2059]

There is also a nice "remake" of this paining by Giger himself.

[@bwchapin9099]

I had never heard this piece until I decided to transcribe it from the original score into a digital one. What struck me was the story I feel as the music progresses. Rachmaninoff’s use of 5/4 alternating 3-2 to 2-3 in the first part mimics the way an oarsman would row, long pull short recovery followed by short pull longer recovery to correct course, etc. I see it as starting out from shore in calm waters and as the boat gets midway, rougher seas then it calms as it enters the isle harbor. The second part describes the unloading of the casket and carrying it upward while being met by spirits to assist until the casket is interred. There is a reference to a Dies Irea, a release of burden and sorrow the the descent of the oarsman or passengers back to the dock where the third part is the emptier boat returning from the isle with the same rowing rhythms. As a symphonic poem, it is one of the most descriptive.

[@EnvironmentalCoffeehouse]

Thanks for sharing that👍🌻

[@coscinaippogrifo]

Wow, I wish I was able to get those deep insights into anything in my life, like you did with the description of this piece... Congratulations

[@jaoziinh]

YEEEEEEES

[@jx5735]

*5/8 is the time signature initially

[@NatalieJones-mi7xo]

Very sensitive interpretation, thank you I'll listen more intently because of it 😊

[@hk1222]

I listened to this before when I was a teenager, but after playing Signalis, I can't stop thinking about this song and painting.

[@kezia_creates3264]

Wdym?

[@sovviedan6791]

@@kezia_creates3264 There's a very artistic video game called Signalis which released late last year, and one of the pieces of music in the soundtrack is a piano rendition of the beginning melody, as well as the painting being a core pillar of the game's theme of things being copied and ending up different than the last version. It's a very emotionally charged game, so the beauty of the song and painting are amplified by the story and visual direction, so they can leave a pretty amazing amazing impression and stay with you for a good while.

[@lelagrangeeffectphysics4120]

@@sovviedan6791 and by artistic you mean pretentious... apparently the devs tought that flashing german sentences while glitching was the peak of art, the story never makes itself very clear, but its implied that the lesbian couple were sent to die in cold space because one of them was an Alma Wade level psychic that could wreak havoc.

[@sovviedan6791]

@@lelagrangeeffectphysics4120 Everything is pretentious when you don't understand it. They're German, dumbass. That's why they flash German words on the screen. You must've been playing with your eyes closed to not notice the heavy post-WWII East Germany vibe to Sierpinksi and Rotfront. And what you've pointed out isn't just "implied," it's literally outright stated in the documents on the ship and dialogue with Arianne. They couldn't have made it clearer. You skimmed over the surface of what the game had to offer and then had the audacity to call it lacking.

[@finnegan6464]

@@lelagrangeeffectphysics4120 the game is from germany dude

[@ilonajoensuu3716]

Pro tip: Listening to this while working on an excel spreadsheet makes everything more dramatic.

[@silviasuto5275]

This is EXACTLY MY CASE!!! my effing colleagues are so loud, i need to work always with my headphones on and I listen to this masterpiece or some others. Priceless.

[@PaoloReaper]

What the fuck. I never work on Excel. I'm doing it rn and this piece started playing and I find this comment. Strange.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

You really need to get out more...

[@ilonajoensuu3716]

@@CLASSICALFAN100 Never! *makes gremlin noises*

[@moncompte4150]

My feelings exactly

[@chiphowell4063]

I fell in love with this piece of music when i was 10 years old and playing with Star Wars action figures and listening to my mom's Classical music LPs...the music always inspired stories and now that I'm substantially older, I hear this again (and again) and I think of those childhood stories. More than that, I love the music on its own terms. I still wanna be a Rachmaninov composition when I grow up.

[@danknoize]

listening to this now, loving it and just gave my wife's brother (a Star Wars geek and collector) my original Star Wars figures that I played with as a kid, but I wasn't fortunate enough to have parents that were into Rachmaninov, let alone music in general 😆

[@samwisethebrave288]

No. Go away.

[@danknoize]

@@samwisethebrave288 🤣🤣🤣

[@PavelDGromnic]

I listened to classical music as a child too, brought up in a household which had no interest in it. I flourished thanks to that open window. It's funny to remember how often I listened next to an actual open window. Do children listen to this any more without being dragged to hear it? Like tears in the rain.

[@pontimaniac2303]

I'm 69 yrs , and same when I was a kid, 5, 6, 7, could see so much in my head, I know you know what I'm saying, but by 8 it started fading , and fast , a song that still works pretty good for me is Debussey, prelude to the afternoon of a Faun, I hear it in this music score . Check it out if you are not familiar with it.

[@ChaplainIdaeus]

A painting of a strange island. Somehow, it feels very familiar.

[@АртёмФедянин-д6ш]

Arnold Böcklin had created the painting naming it the same ("The Island of the Dead")... ok-ok, i got myself^) Rachmaninov was inspired of this master piece, when is creating his self piece. Two artists, two eras

[@kreits7384]

@@АртёмФедянин-д6ш the original comment refers to a game called Signalis, it's a copy-paste from what the main character says while inspecting this picture

[@spacebear3537]

remember our promise

[@jsunnj76]

you play too much Resident Evil friend......

[@nikitakhmelevskyi6257]

​@jsunnj76 This is not about RE, but Signalis, who for sure was inspired by RE, but has absolutely another idea

[@PavelDGromnic]

This is pretty gripping. As one who is now approaching death, I am in awe of the boats' passenger nearing The Isle. Where those of us who have "passed" remain. The rocking boat, the trees, the dark shore, are real for me. This is how I have always envisioned it. Even as a child. I'll be glad to leave this life behind in order to achieve the peace I see on the Isle.

[@PavelDGromnic]

I'm out of the boat now, about to feel the shore.

[@Tom_Quixote]

@@PavelDGromnic We need an update. How is it there?

[@stellviahohenheim]

@@Tom_Quixote probably burning

[@SomeSunshineOutside]

safe passage

[@poolsofbloodinyourstomach]

You dead yet

[@josemanuelparrillalopez-br3024]

for those wondering, that painting is the 'Isle of the Dead' by Arnold Böcklin, a swiss romantic painter

[@dvduadotcom]

Island of the Dead Arnold Böcklin (Swiss, Basel 1827-1901 San Domenico, Italy) Date: 1880 Medium: Oil on wood

[@ronwalker4849]

ARNOLD BOCKLIN HAD SO MUCH SUCCESS WITH THIS PAINTING THAT HE MADE A NUMBER OF COPIES AND SOLD THEM ALL. 5 OR 6 I DON´T KNOW. I SAW THE PAINTING AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NY AND IT MADE A TREMENDOUS IMPRESSION ME WHICH I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN. IT IS OUR ETERNAL HOME.

[@StahliCell]

I feel so ashamed of myself. 23 years old, swiss and I've never EVER heard of this painter. I hate my arts teacher in high school, I have no one else to blame.

[@ElCid48]

+StahliCell. No need to feel ashamed. Get yourself other sources of information as long as they are reliable. Go to the library in your town. Read a lot. Very soon you'll know more than your stupid teachers. I've done that.

[@lecobra418]

Blame yourself then, because you're the only one responsible for your lack of knowledge.

[@Kusumi4chan]

Words cannot describe how perfect this piece is.

[@robertogrossi3781]

This music, inextricably tied to the painting, evokes for me the story of souls who are brought "alive" to this island to be judged. I imagine their solemn arrival after a difficult boat crossing and their walk through the corridors behind the doors that lead to a temple located beyond the visible part of the island. These corridors are made of stone, as if they were natural, like the mountains, while the temple has stone columns but neither walls nor a ceiling and, like the rest of the island, is bathed in intense sunlight. The only thing not illuminated is the trees, where thoughtful souls can stop to reflect before being judged. On the altar, under the full sunlight, the judgment will take place; if we think about it, death is the only thing that does not hide, and we all know it will come.

[@mistygroves3503]

An Etheric world of neither Purgatory nor Paradise, with unfulfilled yearning, toil and glimpses of shining lights beyond....beautifully portrayed by Rachmaninov. An exquisite piece of music.

[@henrysmith7276]

Your words are hauntingly sharp

[@j-jbourdin316]

œuvre d'une intensité inouïe et d'une beauté surréaliste que Rachmaninoff génie absolu de la musique a légué à l'humanité. Pourrais-je l'écouter mille fois que j'aurais toujours le même émoi ; c'est à cela qu'on reconnaît un véritable chef-d'œuvre.

[@portercrane6655]

Thanks Google translate!!! This comment made me smile so happily with how profound it is

[@pumby78]

Haa :) voilà une âme reconnaissante de belle musique sans allez chercher la science classique de critiques que l'on peu lire en commentaire, c 'est affolant..... ils critiquent mais n'en feraient pas 1 centième de millimètre composée :) c'est vraiment un monde étrange la musique classique, on pourrait presque croire qu'ils ne vivent que dans la critique négative et non constructive.

[@ВикторГрядовкин]

Эмоции дважды заходят в Реку ? 😢

[@parcm]

Böcklin's isle is creepy but fascinating. I always wonder whats behind the cypresses. It was commisioned by a young widow who sought the answer in the death of her husband. Masterpiece!

[@yellowbeard1]

I had no idea this music existed and I am really happy with the KZbin algorithm right now.

[@voraciousreader3341]

I am so glad you’ve started on this journey, and Rachmaninov is an amazing place to begin! Being able to move emotionally through this “world” is an experience greater in my life than nearly anything in my life, for nearly 60 years. If I may presume to give a suggestion, Vladimir Ashkenazy is, in my opinion, one of the best interpreters of Rachmaninov’s music, as a pianist and conductor. He would be an excellent place to continue!

[@AdamGulotta]

@@voraciousreader3341 This wasn't my comment, but I just want to say that I am going to follow your recommendations for composers!

[@CozyButcher]

#metoo bless the people of Rus

[@elena-xt7cs]

There is an anecdote about this piece, according to which Rachmaninov was inspired by a black and white reproduction of Boecklin's painting, not by the original version: when he eventually saw the actual artwork, he got so disappointed that he stated he would have probably never written this beautiful music, if he had seen the original one first. We would have missed one great piece.

[@RalucaAriadna]

what a beautiful sentence. may I use it in a story?

[@RalucaAriadna]

Thank you! :)

[@elenabarri732]

jajaja such is life, beautiful story¡

[@ronwalker4849]

THAT SPEAKS MOUNTAINS ABOUT ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART AND COPIES.

[@kingkeefage]

Individually, words and notes do not have owners. I can't own the word bird, but if I were to use it with words of MY choosing accentuating the bird, then the statement made thereafter belongs to me. And, of course music has an owner!!!

[@YouGuessIGuess]

I can't "Like" this video enough, or explain how much its existence has improved my musical life over the last few months. Thank you so much for uploading.

[@franciscopinto6394]

That same thing happened to me about 2 years ago... amazing

[@gailranson3966]

Rachmaninov is the first composer I listened to on purpose.Went to the library and borrowed a record.Loved him ever since.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

You listened to Rach *while riding on a porpoise*? (Oops, Spellcheck...lol)

[@jelleepit]

The sense of musical scale is breathtaking. The knowledge of the instruments and their register is mind boggling. The genius of how to deliver this to me and have me weeping is God given. 6 foot of Russian misery no, 2 miles ladder into heaven yes.

[@Minotauronabike]

I saw the painting in Berlin a couple of years ago, I had never heard of it before, and a beautiful young man came up to me and said "this is my favourite painting, can you take a picture of me with it?" It was amazing to see a stranger so moved and delighted by an artistic object, and a memorable shared moment. (This is the 1883 version btw, and I think the best of Böcklin's series).

[@MargaretMargaretMargaret]

That's the making of a wonderful movie or book. ❤

[@buchenholz1574]

funny fact, the picture hung in Adolf Hitler's office because he thought it was so ingenious

[@kimetsu_kids]

ベックリンの死の島、人工物にも自然物にも見える岩の島に整えられた植生が収まっているという 精巧さと不自然さが見事に共存したすごく美しい芸術作品だと思う

[@StarSeekerTarot]

The first time I saw this painting was actually in Animal Crossing. I'm so grateful I found it. It's so mysterious and stunning. 💜

[@Nick-uq6ie]

i saw this picture in Signalis Games are really art!😍

[@christianvennemann9008]

14:57 My favorite moment of this piece. To me, it represents finally reaching the isle, stepping out of the boat, and setting foot into the dark unknown that is the Isle of the Dead. Rachmaninoff was such a master of musical suspense and buildup 😍😍

[@LordSkeleta]

I get why this is you're favourite part, it is mine too.

[@КимберлиСуратос]

I love this painting. It perfectly captures the mood of death. It's so serene with the still water and muted tone. For some people, death is a nice, peaceful rest, free of the tumult and suffering that accompany life. Yet in the painting, the dark shadows that surround the trees give a sense of foreboding and remind you of the mystery and darkness associated with death.

[@magnuschristianssen8999]

Or a bad death, the darkness a warning of the demonic torments to come. Has anyone written a piece about being tortured by demons in hell? I would love to hear that and even suggest it to atheists LOL!!!

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

Off to the art gallery with you. 99.9% of us are listening to the music not admiring paintings!

[@raymondwilcox1303]

@@DavidA-ps1qr . . .Speak for yourself.

[@DisRespectoids]

What about your profile photo? Does it fit that...

[@TheConshuscriterion]

Кимберли Суратос also too, though the Cypress trees are in reference to other things, when I saw them a thought crossed my mind!! The evergreen (our soul/spirit) almost completely walled off from everything else living! The eternal soul wrapped in death’s hewn stone coffin awaiting judgement in solemn silence yet not dispassionate! And the simultaneity of life only a breath away and death breathless hold spark the roller coaster of emotions

[@SunRavenMusic]

First time I've heard this and there is a thunderstorm outside, fits perfectly.

[@AlexSteelOFFICIAL]

I listened to this symphonic poem casually few months ago, but I immediatly fell in love with its intense crescendos. It is a real journey, I may say, even inside the painting, within the part we can only imagine.

[@jaredbeers1036]

Rachmaninov’s writing takes me to a different place on a journey. It’s hauntingly beautiful. This is truly a masterpiece it continues to blow my mind.

[@LordQueezle]

Such an amazing song. I love the delicate highs and the heavy lows. This has a quality that most modern music just can't match.

[@mandywong9369]

Lord Queezle

[@LordQueezle]

You do have a point. I guess "piece" would be more accurate. :D I should know better then to just call everything mildly melodious a "song".

[@manurossy9725]

Wtf "song"?! Are u serious?

[@LordQueezle]

Three years of music school later and I'm revisiting this work to write a paper on Symphonic Poems. xD

[@walther2273]

@@LordQueezle Rap is terrible...

[@Dorjejinpa]

I hate to use words like "hauntingly beautiful" but what can I say? Rachmaninoff is at the very top my list

[@BeckyMesser]

That's the perfect phrase to describe Rachmaninoff :)

[@Kindacutehuh]

You could say beautifully haunting!

[@magnuschristianssen8999]

Yeah, you can't really use that term much, like when a husband turns to his wife and mutters "hauntingly beautiful" she slaps him. I suppose you could refer to an old Castle as "hauntingly beautiful" :D

[@FaisalAzizFizzy20000]

* top of my liszt

[@DBEdwards]

Rachmaninoff. Say the name and I tremble for the majesty, profound feeling and sheer romantic poetry no other can duplicate. His piano concerti are unsurpassed in the annals of romantic music.

[@carolineblisslarsen4396]

I've never heard this piece before now. I love it-dark, mysterious, lovely.

[@мироносадчий-ц4г]

I am agree with you.

[@artmynk8999]

I think it is just simply beautiful that such a song has been incorporated into the artwork of a game that is Signalis

[@autumnleaves2766]

What a magnificent piece of music. Rachmaninoff's works always have so much depth, so much sense of longing, nostalgia, richness of harmony and yet haunting melodic lines. Though his output is considered relatively small by some standards, it seems that it was all of an incredibly high standard. My favourites include this piece, the 3rd piano concerto, the rhapsody on a theme of Paganini Op43, the variations on a theme of Corelli Op42, the variations on a theme of Chopin Op22, all the solo piano music, but there are other works I don't know so well and hence need to get to know. He had such huge hands he could stretch C-Eb-G-C-G with his left hand. Plagued by depression and ill health for much of his life, he felt compelled to leave Russia after the 1917 revolution. Part of the escape was done on a sleigh through the winter landscape of eastern Finland. Someone ought to make a feature film about him, he had a fascinating but difficult life in many ways. A CD I would recommend for the sets of variations I mentioned above would be the one recorded by Daniil Trifonov in 2015, which also includes the talented Russian pianist's own homage to Rachmaninoff, Rachmaniana, a set of short piano pieces. It's a Deutsche Grammophon CD, always a sign of quality.

[@oleflogger6828]

My fellow Brooklynite, Danny Kaye, said (sang) it best: "I Love Russian Composers!" And, did it all in less than 1 minute. :>)

[@remon563]

beautiful comment. I would love to make a film about this story although I wouldn't be able to do it's beauty justice. History but a ripple in time, waiting to be echoed.

[@IAmTheOnlyLucas]

I put this video in my Classical Music playlist sort of apathetically but every time I come back, it's better and better. Rachmaninov was a brilliant man.

[@ianboard544]

I've gotten to like Rachmaninoff a lot since I've gotten older. He was so full of ideas. This is a beautiful piece.

[@aleksPval]

i recommend listening to his vocalise... so nice.

[@ausamusicofficial]

walked around the louvre with this in my headphones on loop a couple years ago and I gotta say it was perfect

[@HandattheHelm]

What an evocative, incredible piece. Like a lucid, or maybe a fever, dream. Ravishingly beautiful.

[@redbirdairways5568]

I first heard this played by the Cleveland orchestra at one of their concerts, and it was incredible! A really beautiful piece!

[@oleflogger6828]

I wonder if Dr. Szell conducted. What a great era that was for Cleveland!

[@athiefinthenight6894]

"Never step between the fire and a man praying", he cautioned. Schultes began quietly to laugh. The shadows on the tipi wall were so much larger than the men beneath them. It was as if a gallery of spirits were dancing.

[@bruceinoregon8163]

After an extended foreboding half cadence starting at 11:00 - he launches into the beautiful, romantic, lush, rising, climactic section that is the pinnacle of the piece. That section climaxes in the 15th minute or so, diminishes, reloads and climaxes again during the 17th minute or so; then it's all about descending, backing off, summarizing, and finishing out. Whether he was aware or not (my guess is that he was), humans and the rest of nature seem to have an affinity for the "golden mean" and the Fibonacci sequence (or vise versa perhaps), and it looks to have everything to do with where the climactic section was positioned in this piece.

[@cainen6355]

That image of the isle is damn perfect. That's actually some dark haunting stuff. Such a creepy atmosphere in every aspect.

[@nickolausafon5458]

Yes. Perhaps it’s the form of the imagery. A natural structure slowly crumbling into eternal nature, the ruins of human culture amid natural and subtle forces.

[@rcmodder]

So sad, and yet beautiful. Such a timeless piece in my heart.

[@franzliszt8090]

no classical music comment section is complete without the pseudo-intellectuals

[@kaxtorplose]

And the fart heads

[@Petertuske]

At least his profile picture isn't a bukkake pingu

[@alrobin9480]

haw haw haw says I what say ye?

[@DavidA-ps1qr]

You are right Mr Liszt. You see, music can be described but it can never be explained.

[@whatdoesthisthingdo]

"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture."

[@erikbrowne8341]

Been listening to classical music since I was 7 why have I never heard this before? it is fricken fantastic! thank you for Loading this epic masterpiece!

[@SN-OZONEFRIMG2-2PVM-9C95-]

I agree SO

[@paulbeard4218]

The hypnotic magnetism of this work is palpable -- along with mystery and foreboding, It's stand alone great, as is it's composer !

[@Zomblard]

Rarely have I experienced such a forceful, life-marking, deep piece of artwork.

[@MrFuchsiamagic]

This piece of music is often neglected and in my opinion is the best music Rachmaninov ever wrote (after Piano Concerto no 3 of course). Inspired by Arnold Bocklin's surreal painting, this work evokes such wonder and melancholy as to bring tears to the eyes in some parts. I first heard this on the radio about thirty years ago and was immediately captivated. I have never heard it played on the air since. A very under-rated piece which deserves more appreciation. I will never tire of listening to it.

[@finnsteur5639]

+Chris Martin After piano concerto n°2 of course.

[@ranwanguva]

Agreed~

[@TheVaughan5]

+Chris Martin Yes, one of my favourites as well but "The Bells" is even better, one of the most extraordinary compositions ever IMO.

[@sbeunis]

"The bells", thats a nice definition of piano concerto nr. 2, his best.

[@andrewpetersen5272]

Well about everything he penned was gold. Cello sonata, Second Symphony, Symphonic Dances, St. John, Vespers, The Bells . There is no before or after with Rachmaninoff.

[@reykhan233]

Saw this painting. Now I remember my promise.

[@AlexBrutalin]

“Island of the Dead” (German: Die Toteninsel) is the most famous painting by the Swiss symbolist artist Arnold Böcklin

[@AshesOfLaurel]

@@AlexBrutalinit’s an insider joke

[@yddet4369]

​@@AshesOfLaurelwhats it refrencing?

[@AshesOfLaurel]

@@yddet4369 a game about phenomena, existentialism and similar themes called signals. In that game the protagonist Elster and a human called Ariane volunteer for a space reconnaissance mission to find an inhabitable planet. Simply put they do not have enough resources to make it. Ariane falls in love with Elster, Ariana did know that they wouldn’t make it (which makes it even more tragic). After a certain time, when Elster also finds out that they won’t find a planet to survive, Ariana makes her promise to kill her. Since if she wouldn’t kill Ariane, Ariane would suffer a slow and terrible death from leaking radiation of the reactor of the ship. The game itself sets in after this, the player has to make his way through a lot of bs (why and how isn’t really important to the story) if the player did well enough, Elster will remember the promise and kill her loved one, simultaneously dying on her side.

[@AshesOfLaurel]

Ah yes I forgot, Ariane drew the toteninsel multiple times whilst on that space ship

[@benjaminponting4259]

I think I have listened to this piece about a hundred times now... it is one of those pieces that... it just MOVES one... it is a beautiful, amazing piece, one of my absolute favorites, of all time. In my eyes, it is indisputably one of the best pieces of music ever written. Just fantastic

[@philmixer]

Completely agree Ben. This is a superb atmospheric piece.

[@paulbeard4218]

You declare a lot, but it's true .

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Masterful and stunning piece that leaves one wanting to return again and again.

[@SamuraiPie8111]

I listened to this song a lot after the death of my father, who was taken suddenly from me. The music made me think of him moving on to the afterlife. It helped with closure but the sadness will always be there.

[@madeleinedartois4689]

here is a hug

[@renamunich1]

but he will always be with you!

[@serkratos1216]

I'm sorry for your loss, he may rest in peace.

[@philmixer]

That is one magnificent piece of music and I defy anybody not to have a lump in the throat or tear in the eye at the end of it.

[@Twisted_drip]

I love you. Hope you’re doing okay

[@paulmarquardt6881]

This as a whole is an absolute masterpiece, but I especially enjoy the build-up in the beginning!

[@MrAam1964]

Indeed a masterpiece of romantic and impressionistic music! The interpretation by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Termikanov is an excellent recent version while the interpretation by Rachmaninov himself is a historical document of first importance to consider strongly.

[@christofrip1723]

I listen to a lot of music, classical is the purest form of music that helps me visualize dreams and emotions like no other genre

[@paulbeard4218]

Amen. how very true .

[@mixerD1-]

Once electricity became involved it immediately lost its future context.

[@oleflogger6828]

@@mixerD1- I wonder how the original audience must have felt listening to this, and without any electronic involvement. It, like most Rachmaninoff, is one of my absolute favorites.

[@lolagagginw812lol7]

I heard about this song when I first played the game SIGNALIS by rose-engine. I highly recommend it and it introduced me to one Rachmaninov's works!

[@aurasensor]

Spam

[@niclas7300]

I don't know if anyone noticed this already, but at 20:33 you can hear the theme of liszt's dance of the death which is a nice touch

[@llllllllllll878]

Thank you for pointing that out!

[@Sandalath]

I am pretty sure it has been mentioned somewhere, but that is a part (the beginning) of the dies irae theme (mass for the dead) and it appears again in this and other similarly themed pieces! nice catch! :)

[@santoshjanakiraman8907]

@@SandalathTo a tiste andii, isle of the dead must resemble moon's spawn.

[@Sandalath]

@@santoshjanakiraman8907 Hah! true that! or Kharkanas even ;)

[@cjlkicks]

*THINGS HAVE LEARNT TO WALK THAT OUGHT TO CRAWL*

[@finnegan6464]

@roberttevault9794or demonic space lesbians

[@Man_of_Tears]

And the milk in my fridge

[@uhoh7545]

And the great holes are digged 😂

[@annoyingassbean3070]

like my gloves?????

[@Bluecho4]

*GREAT HOLES SECRETLY ARE DIGGED WHERE EARTH'S PORES OUGHT TO SUFFICE.*

[@msherd130]

This makes me feel nostalgic for some reason. I love the emotions that Rachmaninov causes in his music.

[@barbaramouk8374]

Oh, yes! There's definitely a "memories" section.

[@ApiolJoe]

I don' tlisten to "classical music", and just decided to have a listen for god know what reason. That was freakin' dope, so intense, so powerful.

[@kingkeefage]

I'm glad you did, but why are you putting it in quotations? I feel like you're trying to say it wasn't music before you listened to it.

[@ApiolJoe]

@@kingkeefage I'm using quotations because I'm not sure if this music belongs to the classical genre or another genre like baroque or any other I may not know about, and I don't want to be the guy who calls "classical music" anything played with an orchestra. Not sure why you're attacking me over trying to be careful with how I'm refering to this music, maybe you should relax a bit. Have a nice day.

[@kingkeefage]

@@ApiolJoe 😂 I mean no offense, but you have some fragile sensibilities if you felt attacked. I simply asked a question and elaborated on my reasoning behind asking it by telling you my initial interpretation. This is Classical. It is from the Classical period. Mozart didn't really get to take part in the Baroque era. I believe he died just as it was getting popular. Though, if anyone tells you that you're ignorant because you don't know the proper terms for those styles, they're the idiots. People who are trained to know are aware that people who don't follow it won't know the differences.

[@oleflogger6828]

"Dope"? What the Hell does that mean?

[@halzander8573]

@@ApiolJoe Way after Baroque. Baroque is from about 1600 to 1750. Baroque does not play with emotions like this. This is from the impressionist period, around 1908.

[@jeremyw7215]

Haunting. I keep picturing this in a ballet for some reason. Beautiful.

[@themysticmaestro1287]

jeremy w It would be a beautiful ballet

[@filiusmeus8966]

+jeremy w a ballet about the underworld of greek mythology would be absolutely incredible in my opinion, if it were done in the Romantic style

[@themysticmaestro1287]

Yes it would be a beautiful ballet.

[@GoldandAppel]

jeremy w That's a good idea.

[@wakka737]

this is a ballet now!! sf ballet just did it it was great

[@fabianvanderelst9643]

I always thought classical music was boring, until I (on a lucky midnight) found this gem, alongside other classical music that is actually good! Some of the best music I've heard in ages! I can't believe there's actual classical music that I thoroughly enjoy, and not only respect the skills of!

[@philmixer]

All these classical pieces you should listen to are the works of geniuses.

[@Spieght]

Oh yes there’s a wonderful universe of classical music that goes straight to my heart !!

[@theonewithoutidentity]

Can't believe I'm hearing this piece now. I can already recall at least 3 distinct modern orchestral works inspired by this things specifically. Must have been really influential.

[@TheAskald]

which ones

[@Nekolet]

I think signalis made the "second life" to this picture and song. A lot of fans of this game came here to hear the original. I think its really cool.

[@AndreCaronCaron]

Lugubres et magnifiques pages musicales. Un autre grand génie.

[@adullday3296]

Andre Caron Auriez vous des conseils?

[@suzannelabrie3523]

L'Ile des morts est aussi le titre d'une peinture. L'image choisie ICI :: L'Ile des Morts (version 1883) de l'artiste Arnold Böcklin. Conservée à l'Alte Nationalgalerie de Berlin. --Représente une île au coucher du soleil, vers laquelle se dirige une embarcation conduite par Charon, le guide des morts. À ses côtés dans le bateau, un défunt debout, dans son linceul regarde vers la crique dans laquelle va entrer la barque. * Il en existerait trois autres versions dont 2 peintes en 1880 (conservées à Bâle et à New-York) et une peinte en 1886 (conservée à Leipzig)

[@brodricdesaissac2840]

Rachmaninov a justement composé ce morceau après avoir vu l’une de ces peintures de Böklin (une version qui aura été détruite postérieurement si je ne m’abuse) On raconte que Rachmaninov, ayant vu une autre version de ce tableau, aurait dit être déçu par celle-ci, qu’il n’aurait sûrement pas composé de morceau s’il avait d’abord vu cette autre version.

[@MrSebboxxx]

The music and the painting are an amazing combination ... this music and the painting can improve imagination more than any movie ...

[@Bulvasaurio]

Wow, i listened this as a child, now that i had played a Game by a german developler called signalis, i returned to this Masterpiece

[@ze_rubenator]

Eerie, beautiful, timeless.

[@MedievalRichard]

+Ze Rubenator Totally agree. :)

[@G123.]

Eerie? I think it's full of passion, longing.

[@williamhicks2299]

What a wonderful performance of this glorious work! ANDREW Davis (not Colin!) has to be one of the most under appreciated maestri; everything I hear him do is exemplary in musicality, atmosphere, pacing, and reveals him to be a first class musician and conductor.

[@mindfulnessinspiration8548]

Thank you for creating and sharing this. It is very beautiful and soothing. 2020 has been a challenge for all of us. I know, for some it's been more challenging than others. But I hope, whoever is reading this, things are changing for the better for you and your loved ones. These circumstances aren't permanent, they are temporary. Keep pushing forward, you will see the light soon. Always remind yourself in times of adversity that 'This too shall pass'. Try to stay positive and take care of yourself first, in order to take care of your loved ones. A big virtual hug to you.

[@lymenos]

My all time fave music piece plays under a copy of Böcklin's painting hanging in the living room. "Living"...

[@ManelRuivo]

thankyou! never hear before about bocklin! he seems to be an influence on salvador dali!

[@christianfleetwood1735]

For me, this piece of music encapsulates the Romantics. It belongs alongside the works of Byron, Shelley and Wollstonecraft. Marvellous.

[@SuperCabrito14]

0:00 - approaching the building where I will take my finals

[@Abigurlrox]

Ehh...studying for finals right now D:

[@user-td4do3op2d]

What are finals?

[@SuperCabrito14]

123456789 987654321 😂 "finals" is the term used by college students in the U.S. for end-of-term examinations

[@user-td4do3op2d]

Luigi Anastasio Boyka Ah. Thanks. We just call them exams in England

[@Jonlewisfallows]

123456789 987654321. Did you go to school with my brother, 123456789 987654322?

[@ElectronicHouseFlash]

I just love how around 9:48 the music quiets down, almost feels like it's slowing down with descending chromatic chords, and a sprinkling of a sinister feeling (e.g., the brass section)

[@jojoletyran447]

I try not play LoL anymore Even in a rachmaninoff song i find a teemo Leave me aloooone 😭

[@sergioiriarte9722]

Todo el poema parece una ruta circular que se desarrolla en distintos niveles. Como un gran anillo espiralado. En incontables músicas posteriores escucho esta obra maestra.

[@nfal445]

This piece seriously feels like you hang on the edge waiting for the climax through the whole song.

[@MrExplosion449]

It's always a treat to hear Rachmaninov

[@gugungwenya7819]

That picture compliments this music in a perfect way

[@Guill0rtiz]

The painting inspired the music.

[@thdbzok]

What is the name of this painting please ?

[@dannysnothere6230]

that picture is what the song is based on

[@aeracs]

Literally Isle of the dead. Interesting history, check out the wikipedia article on it

[@Aleph-Noll]

lol its the other way around

[@DarkSamael55]

Star: Wherever it is I am going, I'll wait for you there. Eule: ...

[@matthiasfsa]

I must say, I fell in love with the painting. I belong to the isle of the dead, soon we will be reunited.

[@mikhail8450]

United, not reunited. Shut up

[@famprima]

#dramalama

[@ctmagnus760]

My first time to hear this piece. I’ve missed out. Spending each night in October out on the patio listening to “spooky” pieces of music whether classical or otherwise. This one is wonderful under a half moon and stars.

[@Anaprophet]

It's October and I'm really listening to this piece lol

[@leonardo9313]

From 5:17 until 5:59 is like a trip to paradise. Then, from 6:00 to 6:58 is like the return, a slow and sad goodbye. I think what's makes this music so beautiful is the high's and low's, like the good, happy moments and the sad/bad ones that life will give us through the time. As i see, this song is about the full lifetime, thing we'll see in the begining of our death, i mean, when we'll be arriving the Isle of Dead.

[@paulbeard4218]

And hopefully an eternal one with our Creator .

[@dmswan3172]

Powerful, mysterious painting by Arnold Bocklin - evoked by this great mysterious masterpiece by Rachmaninov.

[@tommypayne1980]

I'm new to listening to stuff like this but if you close your eyes and listen with headphones on , this piece of music transports you to an different world which lets you imagine all sorts of things based on the notes in the music. I could listen to this type of music when I want to get away from the world we live in now and relax abit.

[@iagoprevost5707]

Cette musique montre clairement un des aspects essentielles de la musique,à savoir partager une idée,une image,une notion des fois abstraite à travers la musique.Et cette œuvre sublime ,Si l'on ferme les yeux,nous emportent vraiment dans un lieu d'insécurité,etc.Vraiment incroyable et je ne me lasse de l'écouter ;)

[@Assassunn]

Non, ce n'est pas un aspect essentiel de LA musique. Beaucoup de gens pensent que la musique doit être pure (c'est à dire non figurative), mais surtout, la plus part des pièces le sont. Dans le romantisme par exemple, ce sont les sentiments qui sont exposés, et naît de Liszt (peu après la musique à programme), le poème symphonique qu'on retrouve ici dans l'Île des Morts. En revanche, pas mal de gens aiment interpréter la musique en s'inventant une histoire à l'écoute, personnellement je ne me vois pas le faire en écoutant du Bach, et je m'y sens naturellement plongé avec Tableaux d'une exposition ou la Danse macabre.

[@Tobal588]

I remember when I was listen to this so high that in the first crescendo I felt I was going to die. With that being said, I have to say that it was a wonderful experience.

[@adamgulley1399]

😂

[@brennentaggart3291]

That's awesome

[@voraciousreader3341]

Yet how amazing would it be if you could experience music like that without the aid of a drug, as I do....it must be a pretty hollow life, huh?

[@brennentaggart3291]

@@voraciousreader3341 FACTS you have a great point. I can FLY with the music, without the drugs

[@pasadena2595]

Ordet - forever

[@lamusicadililia5737]

Quando da bambina ascoltavo questo pezzo su dischi a 78 giri, ricordo che ne rimanevo terrorizzata, è non avevo ancora visto l’immagina del quadro che lo ispirò! Incredibile, ancora oggi , pur apprezzandone la bellezza, questa musica mi sconvolge…😢

[@adorno_gang37]

my dream is to be a filmmaker just so i can use this in a movie...

[@hugofernandes2930]

Yeahh man i was thinking this way too!!! A strange man in a boat arriving to a dark island as an introductory scene

[@The9garr]

Well, you're on KZbin...

[@The9garr]

He neared the small island he saw just off the shore, walls all around except from the sea facing side. As he approached he saw the forest hidden from the sight of the mainland, more a garden as the walls were too close together for it to have any considerable size. The small row boat pushed up against the steps in the water. The man leaped from the boat, eager to see what secrets the island may hold. He entered the small tree covered enclosure, and as he walked down the dark path he came to a sudden realisation. Why had he not heard of this place before? It sat only a short distance from the beach, had no-one else seen it? He had been walking for nearly 15 minutes, he surely would have reached the mainland had he been walking along the water from where he landed on the island. He looked back, and dread filled him. Only darkness lay behind him, he had fallen into the islands evil trap...

[@hugofernandes2930]

9garr Wow fits the song and picture!!! did you wrote it yourself?

[@The9garr]

Hugo Fernandes Yeah, I just thought it looked like the trees went in pretty deep in the picture.

[@calebn4399]

Gandalf the White decided to arrive by motor boat.

[@phantomwizard]

You just illustrated my point. Thank you.

[@calebn4399]

What point?

[@4everkokonut]

Pouhahaha!

[@abdelhamidkateb3999]

Caleb N you made my day sir !

[@RetroFan]

That was from a goof wasn't it or something. A motor was found in the boat.

[@kederd]

I sat in a dark room and stared at the painting as I listened to the entire masterpiece and now I can taste colors

[@cookiemonsterdayz]

Dude. That's deep^^

[@jaydenhoward8670]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@barbaramouk8374]

I know what you mean. When I listen to the beginning of Vaughn Williams's 5th Symphony, I smell salt water and feel fog.

[@slimelove3493]

The painting is magnificent I will come back for the music

[@FranciscoCastaneda-ix3bw]

Rachmaninov nos lleva de paseo a la isla de los difuntos en la barca de su misteriosa música, entre apacible y trágica pero, invariablemente, plena de poesía.

[@christianloper9483]

That's a fascinating painting.

[@stefanandrews5098]

Arnold Bocklin's "Isle of the Dead" - the one in the video is the Third Version he painted, of five

[@funkybear1806]

So good. Years listening it.. such a good music piece.

[@micmul23]

I will always remember this as the soundtrack for the swiss arthouse-documantary "The Congress of Penguins" of 1993, a film that would deserve much more attention.

[@Morale_Booster]

Listening to this piece, I was swept away and read to by the music. It tells you a story so vivid you can almost hear the words