Chapter 4 Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 1 in F♯ minor, Op. 1, 1st mov
S. Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 1 in F♯ minor, Op. 1 (1st movement)
By tackling Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No.1, you will work on agility in virtuosic runs, octave technique, and confident rhythmic drive, as well as expressive phrasing. (Rachmaninoff himself noted after revision that this concerto “plays itself so much more easily” than its original form – a relative statement, as it remains a demanding showpiece for advanced pianists.)
Jean-Bernard Pommier discusses how to convey the music’s “youthful freshness and impetuosity” while imposing shape on its episodic structure.
This concerto also develops ensemble skills: even in its bravura moments, the soloist must coordinate with energetic orchestral writing.
Preview S. Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 1 in F♯ minor, Op. 1, 1st mov
Though less famous than Rachmaninoff’s later concertos, his First Piano Concerto – written in his teens and substantially revised in 1917 – is packed with youthful virtuosity and bravura. It is considered challenging due to its mercurial shifts and bold, unbridled energy. The masterclass (focused on the Vivace first movement) addresses the piece’s technical flourishes – for example, the opening features a dazzling cascade of double-octaves and big chords in the piano right after a brass fanfare, reminiscent of the grand gestures in Schumann or Grieg concertos.
Prof. Pommier guides the student in mastering these athletic passages and the ensuing rapid figurations, which require nimble fingerwork and chordal accuracy. At the same time, Rachmaninoff’s lyrical Slavic themes demand singing tone and rubato, so the pianist must balance fire with warmth.
Professor: Jean-Bernard Pommier
Assistant: Ineke Hellingman
Masterclass S. Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 1 in F♯ minor, Op. 1, 1st mov.
P-C 0330804 Chapter 4 Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. No. 1 in F♯ minor, Op. 1
ultima modifica: 2026-01-12T19:09:33+00:00
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