Russian Rhapsody (Rachmaninoff)

January 10] 1891 mentioning that he had begun work on a piece for two pianos that he wanted to play with his first cousin Alexander Siloti.

[3][4] He dated the manuscript January 12–15, 1891 [O.S., implying that he had the composition in his head at the time of the letter, and only recorded the days he notated it on paper.

[1] The Rhapsody received its first performance after he graduated, on October 29, 1891, played by Rachmaninoff and Josef Lhévinne at the Conservatory.

This is cited as the first of many future instances in which he would revise some of his pieces for no apparent reason, since it could not have been the ability of the performers that caused him to do so.

[2] It is natural for a composition of variations to repeat the theme, but it is noted that the Rhapsody lacks the textural contrast shown in his later works, although it is very virtuosic and brilliant.