Rachmaninoff Paganini Rhapsody with Tucson Symphony Orchestra

Experience an evening of masterful piano and orchestral music as the Tucson Symphony Orchestra performs Sergei Rachmaninoff's beloved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. This concertante work, written in 1934, showcases the full virtuosity of the piano against a rich orchestral backdrop. Pianist Michael Davidman takes on the demanding solo part, with James Feddeck conducting.

The Rhapsody is a set of 24 variations on Niccolò Paganini's famous Caprice No. 24, incorporating the medieval Dies irae plainchant. The 18th variation, an inverted and lyrical transformation of the theme, is especially renowned for its haunting beauty. Rachmaninoff himself prized this variation, calling it the one for his agent.

This performance promises a dynamic interplay between piano and orchestra, culminating in the dazzling 24th variation, famously nicknamed the "Crème de Menthe Variation" after Rachmaninoff's pre-concert ritual. A single, continuous movement, the piece evolves through three distinct sections, offering a complete emotional journey in about 22 minutes.