Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C# Minor (Rachmaninoff)

Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2. Played by a Bosendorfer 290SE Reproducing Piano, which played back a music roll recorded by Rachmaninoff himself. Thanks to Wayne Stahnke, who designed the piano, we can hear Rachmaninoff’s works as he himself played them without having to compromise audio quality.

This piece is also known as ‘The Bells of Moscow’. It is the second of five ‘Morceaux de Fantaisie,’ or Fantasy Pieces. This work, in terms of gravity of tone, is the most Russian of the five, and Rachmaninoff is at his best when composing heavier music. This is considered to be one of his best works.

Sheet music is here: http://imslp.org/wiki/Morceaux_de_Fantaisies,_Op.3_%28Rachmaninoff,_Sergei%29

I am not certain of who owns the copyright to this recording; it may be Telarc. In any case, it is not me.