Rachmaninov Adagio Sostenuto Piano Concerto No.2

Arrangement of Adagio Sostenuto from Piano Concerto No.2 by Rachmaninoff, for piano and cello.  
Level:  Intermediate  
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About this Arrangement:
The Second Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto has a rich history. Voted as the most popular of all Concertos, its development was patchy. After the dismal failure of Rachmaninoff’s First Symphony premiere, Rachmaninoff, encouraged by his family, sought treatment for his lack of enthusiasm for composing with hypnotist Dr Nikoli Dahl. While other occasions had a profound effect on the construction of this piano concerto, Dahl was credited as dedicatee and Rachmaninoff certainly appreciated his positive affirming and interest in his music. Dahl was a musician of some note, also. The most beloved section of this concerto, is the beautiful Adagio Sostenuto, Second Movement. This has a rather interesting history also, as it was written when Rach was crushing on the younger of all his cousins. He wrote a Romance for four hands, a piano duet he would have played with his flame and it was never forgotten, going on to be used in this composition. I have transcribed the work and arranged it for Piano Solo, with a Cello soloist also. The cello sits in where the orchestra is missing, presumed on another engagement, and takes the melody under what is a brilliantly constructed piano part. This score retains authenticity, reducing some of the material to enable solo performances.