Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2226-6348

Piano Elevation: A Review of Performer's Guide to Rachmaninoff's Transcendent Solo Transcriptions

He Si Yuan, He Si Xian, Gao Xin

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i1/20896

Open access

The present work examines the piano concertos of Rachmaninoff providing valuable insights into its efficacy in traversing Rachmaninoff's compositions' complex technical and emotional aspects. Based on a thorough understanding of the extensive musical history, we examine how the guide effectively conveys the fundamental characteristics of Rachmaninoff's distinctive style. Rachmaninoff, one of the prominent composers of the Romantic era, is often overlooked for his significant contributions to the Romantic musical structure. Rachmaninoff's works are known for their technical challenges and musical depth, and having a guide that provides insights into interpreting them can greatly aid in musical education. His compositions and transcriptions hold significant importance in the classical music repertoire. Analysing his works provides insights into his compositional techniques and helps preserve and understand his musical legacy. The methodology used in this study involves conducting a thorough review and critical analysis of a selected guide on Rachmaninoff's solo piano transcriptions, assessing its structure, accuracy, and effectiveness in enhancing performers' understanding and interpretation of the compositions. This paper addresses a gap in the existing research literature by investigating the process of transferring music across different cultures using the piano concerto tradition. Examining the orchestral and pianistic compositions of Rachmaninoff aids researchers and music theorists in comprehending the progression of musical exchange in the early 20th century. The study provides comprehensive and insightful guidance, particularly in addressing technical challenges and capturing the emotional depth of Rachmaninoff's solo piano transcriptions, thereby significantly enhancing performers' interpretation and execution of these pieces. It provides vital information on enhancing interpretative abilities and fully appreciating the transformational beauty of Rachmaninoff's solo transcriptions. It is recommended to further conduct an empirical study to evaluate the practical application and effectiveness of the recommendations provided in the performer's guide through surveys or performance assessments and explore additional interpretative approaches to Rachmaninoff's solo piano transcriptions.

Alexandru, T. (2012). The Three great Russian composers: Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev: Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music.
An, M. (2020). Miming in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Performance of his Own Music: Bachelor of Music Eastman School of Music, 2015 Master of Music Texas State University.
Dawn, D. H. (2016). Program Notes and Performance Considerations of Select Piano Pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff with Accompanying CD Recording: A Document Submitted to the Graduate, University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Music.
Forsythe, J., and Forsythe, J. (2023). Analysis in His Music Rachmaninoff the Harmonist The “ Rachmaninoff Sixth ” and its Analysis in His Music An undergraduate thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Honors Degree Program at Rollins College.
Gabrielian, T. (2018). CUNY Academic Works Rachmaninoff and the Flexibility of the Score: A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts, The City University of New York.
Garcia, E. E. (2004). Creativity and Suffering in Talent and Genius. Psychoanalytic Review, 91(3), 1–20.
Gehl, R. S. (2008). Reassessing a Legacy: Rachmaninoff in America, 1918–43 A dissertation submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies and Research of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Music.
Glover, A. (2003). Libraries An Annotated Catalogue of the Major Piano Works of Sergei Rachmaninoff: A Treatise submitted to the School of Music, Florida State University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Music.
Grace, T. (2023). Transnational Historiography and Twentieth-Century Modernity: Rachmaninoff Beyond A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Music University of Toronto degree.
He Si Yuan, He Si Xian and Gao Xin (2022). A review on the Performance Interpretation and Emotional Expression of Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on A Theme of Paganini Op 43, International Journal of Music Studies, Vol.4, No.1, pp.1-15
Jiao, L. (2023). Research on the Technique of Piano Adaptation. Transactions On Social Science, Education And Humanities Research, 4(1), 1–15.
Krasov, V. (2019). Vocalize genre in Sergey Rachmaninoff's works. Religacion Revista De Ciencias Sociales Humanidades, 4, 75–80.
Maria, P. (2021). Piano Virtuosity in the 20th Century: Four Works by Liszt/Horowitz): A Doctoral Thesis Submitted to the Department of Music at the University of Alberta.
Matthew M. (2020). St. Mary’s University, “McNair Scholars Research Journal Volume XIII” (2020). McNair Scholars Research Journal. 13 (Vol. XIII).
Muminjon, M. (2023). Rachmaninov - Pianist and Composer of the Era. European Journal Of Innovation In Nonformal Education, 3(12), 88–91.
Reesor, K. A. (2016). Rachmaninoff in Music Lexicons, 1900–2013: Toward a History of the Composer's Reception: A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Historical Musicology).
Ricardo, N. (2019). Musical Analysis: Discourse, Interdiscourse and Intertextuality in the Process of Construction of the Musical Meaning: Semiotic Tools for the Analysis and Discussion of Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14.
Ruoxu, C. (2015). The Eternal Classic: Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos. Studies In Sociology Of Science, 6(6), 93–98. https://doi.org/10.3968/8018
Young, J. (2019). Rachmaninoff ’ s “ Concealed Variation ” Principle: Inspiration for Motivic Unity in his Preludes , Op . 32: Submitted to the graduate degree program in the School of Music and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas.
Zheng, A. (2016). Recital and Concerto work by Bach, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Zhao, and Shostakovich: A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Music in Music, Performance.

(Yuan et al., 2024)
Yuan, H. S., Xian, H. S., & Xin, G. (2024). Piano Elevation: A Review of Performer’s Guide to Rachmaninoff’s Transcendent Solo Transcriptions. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 13(1), 2657–2667.