S. Rachmaninov | Piano concerto n. 2 op. 18 - Adagio sostenuto (1901)
 
Rachmaninov’s piano concerto n. 2 is widely regarded as his greatest musical legacy as a composer. Composed 4 years after the ruinous presentation of his first symphony in Moscow, the concerto was dedicated to the psychiatrist N. Dahl, who helped Rachmaninov overcome his depression and profound creative block following the debacle. Within this context, the second movement's emotional depth and lyrical beauty become even more poignant. After 4 bars of tense orchestral introduction, the piano’s voice emerges as the first ray of light breaking through the clouds, as a promise of forgiveness and redemption, as a mother’s comforting voice, setting the stage for the unforgettable melody played by the flute and clarinet, which will make the whole movement an immortal page of romantic expressivity.