The heart-melting cello melody you never knew about

Rachmaninoff's Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19, 3rd movement.
I remember hearing this movement played in one of the practice rooms of my school and immediately gushing over its overwhelming melancholic beauty. I couldn't muster the courage to ask what piece it was but I was fairly certain it was Rachmaninov and sure enough he had a cello sonata which I hadn't heard of yet.
The opening introductory bars in the piano must be some of the most interesting in the repertoire, perhaps rather similar to Chopin's Op27 no1 in terms of chromaticism, as the chords seem to fluctuate between Eb minor and major but as you'll see, the F sharp simply acts as an appoggiatura.
Another interesting comparison would be Bruckner's 8th Adagio where he does something similar going from Db major to minor but that's just a side thought.

[JohnSmith-pyry]

I played this for a cello exam in high school.
Before receiving the sheet music I had already heard recordings of this piece over radio a few years prior, as I was a big fan of Rachmaninov, but never actually bothered to play it as my mind was focused elsewhere with my schoolwork.
The day my teacher gave me the sheet music I immediately started practicing it as soon as I got home. I remember getting a ball in my throat as I was practicing the piece without accompaniment, specifically at bar 15 and 16 (Timestamp: 1:22), but I somehow managed to suppress the overwhelming feeling of crying. Although I remember walking into the dining room after practicing and seeing my mom balling her eyes out. I asked her what the matter was and after composing herself she replied with, “That was beautiful.”.
Eventually a week later I had a practice scheduled with my accompanist.
The second she played the introduction I immediately got the urge to cry, but I again managed to suppress it until bar 15 and 16. By then she had realised that I wasn’t playing with her and so she stopped playing, she probably thought I had gotten lost, turned around to check up on me and was shocked to see me balling my eyes out. She also let one or two tears out, but we eventually made it to the end of the practice.
Playing the piece with the accompaniment was completely different than without, it triggered something in my heart that just made me feel overwhelming bittersweet sadness.
Eventually I played my exam without crying as by then I had ‘conditioned’ myself to the music, and I got a distinction. I will forever cherish the memories of playing this piece.

[calebmarshall]

Every winter, when the first snow falls, I put on headphones, find a quiet spot in the yard, lay down and watch it fall while listening to this masterpiece.

I always cry. And I never leave before it finishes, no matter how cold it feels.

My mother loved the snow, and was one of the first people to encourage me to play the cello. Always makes me think of her. 🤍

Anyway, thanks for sharing this beautiful melody with us!

[zephthezquirrellord]

This entire piece is one of the best ever written

[moiskithorn]

I love this piece. I play it whenever I need to "sort my head out." I had one such day yesterday and listened to this piece while on a 2+ hour train ride coming back home to Sydney. The subtle power of this piece, combined with the coastal scenery in the late afternoon sun - at times I had to catch my breath and not gush into tears.

Thank you.

[skylarlimex]

The V-iii progression at 1:12 is definitely one that Rachmaninov uses quite often - I've seen it in other works of his like the Adagio of his 2nd Symphony - though I'm not too aware of the same movement being used by other composers. My guess would be that Chopin has used it, perhaps Scriabin and even Mahler but I'm not too sure. In any case, Rach seems to have an affection for the mediant, often tonicising and modulating towards it.

[dillarddillard-pe]

Thank you for sharing this lovely gem. Rachmaninoff always melts me to tears, piano and cello, oh my soul…the rapturous beauty…….

[Eric-jouh]

I have loved this piece of music for nearly 70 years, it gets better as I age.💕💕👍👍👍

[levyalexandre]

Okay! I just stumbled upon this today and after listening in for the first time, I quipped "of course, Rachmaninoff wrote this late in life, at 50+, which explains the breadth".

And, after googling the year it was written, I failed. He wrote this when he was only 28!!!

That should be illegal to reach that type of maturity before the age of 50.

[pianopracticediary]

One of the very first pieces I loved when I started listening to classical music

[henry-wixk]

i heard this piece in jordan hall at NEC with professor radnofsky playing it on alto saxophone. best performance of the piece ive ever heard.

[sh_aspking]

rachmanigoat never fails to pull my heartstrings

[Hailey_Paige_]

I was just introduced to this piece yesterday, and then I see this video now. WHAT TIMING! Thank you!! 🤩 Rachmaninoff has such stunning pieces. ❤

[vocalchords]

I am so grateful to have this super video of yours into my day. Utterly wonderful to have your annotations - really a joy and an enriching feature which this subscriber treasures. Thank you so much for putting these together - and sharing them.

[glasseslikeabug]

oh i love this one, i used to listen to it on repeat, still one of my favorites and what really made me fall in love with the cello

[MrFiddler]

Of all the pieces I have ever learned to play, this is my ultimate favorite.

[PianoMeSasha]

i love this side of rachmaninoff, which is did not hear till older when my g/f played me a prelude....i had only heard the very dramatic piano concertos....

[breckon]

This was one of the first pieces of "real" cello rep that I learned, and I could not be more thankful for it. It's a beautiful piece, and ever so satisfying to play.

[im_a_loner_yippe]

Rachmaninoff never disappoints! So beautiful

[worldmusictheory]

I would pay money for you to do a full analysis of this piece. The whole cello sonata is one my favs

[vibinsimon]

Your channel is great man! Keep up the content👍