The Concerto According To Manny (And Rachmaninov)

Back in the 19th century, Russian nationalism and romanticism led to some very memorable music, particularly when nurtured by the Russian piano tradition cultivated in the conservatories of St. Petersburg and Moscow. You know, stuff like immortal concertos by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.

Today Inside The Music moves on to Part 7 of The Concerto According to Manny, and Manny (a.k.a. Emanuel Ax) explores Rachmaninov Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Opus 18.

Now let me set the scene, the scene, a kind of Cole's Notes version cribbed from the Concerto According To Manny site. (Hey, I'm not too proud.) Here goes:

Rachmaninov’s career had ground to a halt. In 1897, the premiere of his First Symphony was marked by hatred from critics, plus the conductor was drunk. Understandably, Rachmaninov was bummed out. So much so he took to drink, and by the end of 1899, boozing meant his hands shook very badly -- not what you want when you sit down to play the piano.

Roll around 1900, a new century, and Rachmaninov, possibly making a new year's resolution, I can't say, went to Dr.Nikolai Dahl, a Moscow specialist in "neuropsychotherapy," which translates to hypnosis. Whilst under the spell, the suggestion that he compose a new piano concerto was made, and voila, this concerto was born.