Études-Tableaux, Op. 39
Written in 1917, the Études-Tableaux ("study pictures"), Op. 39 is the second set of piano études composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Structure
The Op. 39 set comprises nine études:
- Allegro agitato in C minor
- This quick-paced étude demands a tireless right hand, a syncopated left hand and considerable dexterity. Technically, the music is in an almost continual climax.[1] It bears a resemblance to Chopin's Prelude in E♭ minor.
- Lento assai in A minor
- Also known as "The Sea and the Seagulls", this work contains many musical textures that make it a difficult study in touch. It requires performers to restrain themselves and at the same time not sound monotonous. The technical workings of the étude are the 2-over-3 timing, the crossing hands, and large span of the arpeggiated figures for the left hand. This left-hand figure quotes the Dies Irae plainchant, one of the many works by the composer to do so.
- Allegro molto in F♯ minor
- An incredibly complex étude, tone-wise. While it starts off with an angry, frenetic feel, there are moments of violent sublimity scattered throughout the piece.
- Allegro assai in B minor
- A charming gavotte, this étude contains a lot of harmonic color.
Étude-Tableau No. 5 in E♭ minor
Karine Gilanyan performing Étude-Tableau No. 5 in E♭ minor, Op. 39, No. 5 (4:31, 8.48 MB)
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