Sergei Rachmaninoff plays his Piano Concerto No. 2

Here is Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) himself playing the first movement (Moderato) from his second piano concerto. Written between 1900 and 1901, Rachmaninoff slaved over its composition for many hours a day for more than half a year. It had been the first large work he had created since his poorly received first piano concerto four years earlier. The result, however, remains one of Rachmaninoff’s most well-known and beloved works that is a pillar in today’s piano repertoire. The concerto was first performed in its entirety on October 27, 1901 in Moscow. This record collection was recorded in 1929 by RCA victor with Rachmaninoff’s favorite orchestra; the Philadelphia Orchestra. Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977) is conducting. I personally own the records, which are in public domain, and digitally restored the audio. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you’d like to hear MORE RACHMANINOFF, check out my new video of his Études-Tableaux, op. 39: