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Mar 18, 2019 · Rachmaninov would have been unable to compose anything were it not for the Derren Brown-esque therapy he received from a man called Nikolai Dahl, to whom the concerto was dedicated. Thanks to his course of hypnotherapy, Rachmaninov was once again capable of smashing out great melodies and crunchy piano parts.
Rachmaninoff dedicated the concerto to Dahl for successfully treating him by restoring his health and confidence in composition. From the summer to the autumn of 1900, he worked on the second and third movements of the concerto, with the first movement causing him difficulties.
In gratitude Rachmaninoff dedicated his Second Piano Concerto to Dahl. Perhaps it is not surprising that this short episode in Rachmaninoff's life gave rise to a lot of speculation. It is remarkable though, especially considering the matters at stake, that subsequent biographers have never really investigated the case.
Rachmaninoff dedicated the concerto to Dahl for successfully treating him by restoring his health and confidence in composition. From the summer to the autumn of 1900, he worked on the second and third movements of the concerto, with the first movement causing him difficulties.
In gratitude, Rachmaninoff dedicated the score to Dr. Dahl, perhaps the only hypnotist ever to earn such an honor from a major composer. As a virtuoso pianist, Rachmaninoff composed for the instrument not only according to his own tastes but to his own strengths as well.
- Betsy Schwarm
Oct 30, 2017 · Sergei Rachmaninoff was so distressed by the negative reaction to the 1897 premiere of his first symphony, he stopped composing for nearly three years. What restored his confidence to compose his much-loved Piano Concerto No.2? WRTI’s Susan Lewis has the story.
It was an instant success; the following year, when Opus 18 was published, Rachmaninoff dedicated it to “Monsieur N. Dahl.” The work opens with the soloist sounding a series of chords that ring like church bells, and grow in both volume and intensity.
