Irina Lankova plays Rachmaninov's Prelude No. 5

Sergei Rachmaninov’s Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5, is an incredible cascade of emotions. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most recognizable piano works in the entire repertoire! Composed in 1901 as part of his Ten Preludes, he slams the keys with a bold forte opening section before building in intensity with additional layers and movement throughout registers. The rhythmic drive demands energy throughout, especially towards the climactic ascent towards the upper register before coming back down and transforming into the opening motif. The middle section of the piece stands out for its soft, warm transition to E-flat major before firing up again with energy that builds up until the end. This piece also exemplifies why the piano is a member of the percussion family, and after hearing this performance, you will no longer be scratching your head wondering why (hint: the rhythmic precision demanded in the piece is difficult for other instrument families to pull off!). Pianist Irina Lankova studied at both the Gnessin College of Music in Moscow and the Brussels Royal Conservatory under the Russian School greats: Evgeny Moguilevsky, Irina Temtchenko, Vladimir Ashkenazy, among others. Known for her colorful tonal palette and delicate lyricism, Lankova’s energetic playing and technical mastery dazzles, revealing hidden layers in this prelude. A dedicated pedagogue committed to increasing the accessibility of music for all, she created Piano Unveiled, a video series about the art of piano playing with millions of views.

©  Nathalie Gabay