Concerto No. 1 in F# Minor, Op. 1

Revised 1917 version

By Sergei Rachmaninoff

Though not as famous as some of the later concertos (like the 2nd and 3rd), this piece is well worthy of the attention of any serious pianist. The pianistic texture is very well thought out, as well as the accompaniment, which supports very well the solo. The orchestral reduction is...

quite witty, and accomplishes much of what an orchestra would do in this concerto.

This piece just gives me chills. The first movement has an absolutely gorgeous main theme and the cadenza is one of the meaning-of-life cadenzas in the repertoire. It has alot of typical big Rachmaninoff chords, multiple melodic lines, etc. Those are the biggest of the difficulties there. The...

second movement, which is slow, is also incredibly beautiful. Much of it is melody over some arpeggiated/chordal accompaniment. A lot of 3rd-hand technique involved like in the first movement. The third movement has fast outer sections and a slow middle section. A lot of little fast notes involved here, plus big chords again. It has a very festive atmosphere, almost reminds me a little of circus music. Overall, the concerto is not as difficult as the second or third concertos. Definitely worth listening or playing though!

This is an awesome concerto that puts the listener at the edge of their seat....and the cadenza it really awesome...it gives me chills when i listen to it....also the second movement is magical like harry potter!!...somewhat...and the piece has a really cool third movement and...

has a thrilling ending.....this concerto should be in the repotoire of any serious pianist....highly recomended