Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in D major, op. 23 no. 4

This is one of my favourite slower works by Rachmaninoff. I first learned it way back in my university days and played it at a few concerts. Recently, I relearned it to share with my students for our annual Christmas recital. Its main theme is so beautiful, especially when Rachmaninoff adds the sparkling descant figure in the top voice on the second page. I love the fullness of the return to the A section; it could almost be part of a slow movement from one of his concertos.

Pride and Prejudice: Liz on Top of the World

Here’s another selection from the movie Pride and Prejudice soundtrack by Dario Marianelli. I simply love the eerie yet joyful vibe of this piece. Short yet, but packed with a few technical challenges for the player, most notably the ever changing nuances of the melody and accompaniment. It might sound repetitive but there is actually a fair bit of variation going on with each statement of the theme, meaning that the fingering must adapt quickly. It took me a while to get the hang of. Enjoy!

Pride and Prejudice: Dawn

This coming weekend I’m playing piano for a friend’s wedding. His bride asked me to play music from the film Pride and Prejudice. Here’s the first selection entitled ‘Dawn’. It’s reminds me a lot of Beethoven’s piano concertos; economical yet incredibly sensitive in its harmonies. I hope they will like it!