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Although I bet most of you have no idea what a Cadenza is, or maybe even what the Rachmaninov 3rd Concerto sounds like, i'll try my luck. Maybe you can learn something too!
The Rachmaninov 3rd Concerto (nicknamed Rach 3) is a piece for piano and full orchestra. It is known as one of, if not the most difficult piano pieces in the world. A cadenza is a short (a couple minutes or more usually) part for solo piano in which the pianist is meant to show off his skills.
Rachmaninov used an "ossia" for his cadenza. Ossias are very fun for pianists because it means they can choose between two things to play, both of which similar yet different in many ways.
Here are the two ossias, the first played by Rachmaninoff himself (so excuse the bad quality, he died quite a few decades ago) the second played by Ashkenazy (By far one of my favorite interpreters of the Rach 3):
1: http://www.gmlile.com/rach/rach3/rachcad.mp3
2: http://www.gmlile.com/rach/rach3/ashkenazycad.mp3
Notice how the first is much shorter and faster, while the second grander. Notice also in the second how the lower part of the piano and the higher part of the piano are fighting with each other for supremacy (Ashkenazy does a very good job with this) it's a true struggle, you have to pay close attention though and use your imagination.
So, which is your favorite?
The Rachmaninov 3rd Concerto (nicknamed Rach 3) is a piece for piano and full orchestra. It is known as one of, if not the most difficult piano pieces in the world. A cadenza is a short (a couple minutes or more usually) part for solo piano in which the pianist is meant to show off his skills.
Rachmaninov used an "ossia" for his cadenza. Ossias are very fun for pianists because it means they can choose between two things to play, both of which similar yet different in many ways.
Here are the two ossias, the first played by Rachmaninoff himself (so excuse the bad quality, he died quite a few decades ago) the second played by Ashkenazy (By far one of my favorite interpreters of the Rach 3):
1: http://www.gmlile.com/rach/rach3/rachcad.mp3
2: http://www.gmlile.com/rach/rach3/ashkenazycad.mp3
Notice how the first is much shorter and faster, while the second grander. Notice also in the second how the lower part of the piano and the higher part of the piano are fighting with each other for supremacy (Ashkenazy does a very good job with this) it's a true struggle, you have to pay close attention though and use your imagination.
So, which is your favorite?