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Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2 - OCRThe impact of Rachmaninov

Sergei Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 was composed between 1900 and 1901. It is often described as the greatest piano concerto of all time. The piece has influenced a number of other compositions and has been used in a number of films.

Part of MusicThe concerto through time

The impact of Rachmaninov

Piano Concerto No.2 initially became famous for its enormous range of beautiful melodies, pianistic effects and very strong sense of style. This work characterizes a composer who took such great care in his compositional method to delicately and beautifully craft and develop ideas to entertain a listener through a great range of emotions and moods.

The influence of this work and Rachmaninov as a composer in a wider sense should not be underestimated. Many popular artists, films for the big screen and television series have used different parts or of the in some form or reference. A famous example of this is in the 1945 David lean film Brief Encounter.

In 1945 Buddy Kaye and Ted Mossman composed the popular tune, Full Moon and Empty Arms, which is based on a theme from the finale of Piano Concerto No.2. This song was also recorded by Frank Sinatra.

More recently, the British rock band Muse took themes from the opening movement and incorporated them into their Space Dymentia track from the album Origin of Symmetry in 2001.