Rachmaninoff: Études-Tableaux Op. 33, No. 2 (in C) [Horowitz 1967]

December 10, 1967: Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C. (Live)

The Études-Tableaux ("study pictures"), Op. 33, is the first of two sets of piano études composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff. They were intended to be "picture pieces", essentially "musical evocations of external visual stimuli". (Still Rachmaninoff did not disclose what inspired each one.)
Rachmaninoff biographer Max Harrison calls the Études-Tableaux "studies in musical composition"; while they explore a variety of themes, they "investigate the transformation of rather specific climates of feeling via piano textures and sonorities. They are thus less predictable than the preludes and compositionally mark an advance" in technique.

No. 2 in C major is a short, simple 12/8 time piece with a characteristic rhythm repeated throughout it. There is actually a similarity to the Preludes Op. 32, No. 12 in g-sharp minor, written in the previous year than this one.

The composition of Horowitz in this live performance is amazing. Through the first two bars, he is already getting Rachmaninoff right from it. There is a clear sense of passion that adds to the climax in the middle. As the piece ends, the embers fade and finish quietly.

[Jules-cehs]

I believe it is the best op.33 n.2 by Rachmaninoff I've heard in my life. Thank you Horowitz, so magical !