The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, is a concerto-like work for piano and orchestra composed by Sergei Rachmaninov in 1934. Despite being titled a "rhapsody," Op. 43 is structured around a main theme and its variations, inspired by Niccolò Paganini's Caprice for Solo Violin No. 24. Interestingly, this is in contrast to the famous saying "Paganini non ripete" ("Paganini does not repeat"), suggesting that Paganini didn't give encores! Nevertheless, Caprice No. 24 had already served as inspiration for other great composers like Brahms, who created his Variations on a Theme of Paganini, and Liszt, who composed his Grandes études de Paganini. And it is in Rachmaninov's Rhapsody, particularly in Variation No. 18, that his late Romanticism reaches its pinnacle.
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The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is a composition by Rachmaninov consisting of 24 variations on Paganini's Caprice for Solo Violin No. 24. It is one of the seven pieces by the Russian composer that incorporates the melody of Dies irae, suggesting an allusion to the legend that Paganini made a pact with the devil to exchange his soul for his extraordinary virtuosity. Indeed, Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 is equally impressive in terms of virtuosity, and in the final variation of the piece, the piano showcases a display of mastery and musicality at its peak. Discover Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: indulge in its most beautiful interpretations on the finest classical music platform, medici.tv!