Rachmaninoff: Complete Original Solo Piano Works, Vol. 1
Early Years
Konstantin Scherbakov · October 17, 2025
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Konstantin Scherbakov launches a landmark 4-volume cycle of Rachmaninoff's complete original works for solo piano. Volume 1 focuses on the composer's early output (1887–1894), from youthful student works such as the Four Pieces and Three Nocturnes to the celebrated Morceaux de fantaisie Op. 3 and Morceaux de salon Op. 10. Scherbakov's authoritative artistry brings insight and cohesion to these rarely heard pieces, many of which foreshadow the mature voice of one of music's greatest pianists and composers.
Full album
Tracks
- 01
Lento in D minor (1887)
Earliest surviving piano piece, composed when Rachmaninoff was 14.
- 02
Four Pieces, Romance (Andante) in F-sharp minor (1887)
Part of a student set written at the Moscow Conservatory.
- 03
Four Pieces, Prelude (Allegro) in E-flat minor (1887)
One of Rachmaninoff's first attempts at a dramatic piano prelude.
- 04
Four Pieces, Melodie (Andante) in E major (1887)
Shows the lyrical gift that would define his mature style.
- 05
Four Pieces, Gavotte (Allegro) in D major (1887)
Written in the style of a Baroque dance, reflecting Conservatory training.
- 06
Three Nocturnes, Andante cantabile – Allegro vivace, in F-sharp minor (1887)
First of three early nocturnes, alternating lyricism and virtuosity.
- 07
Three Nocturnes, Andante maestoso – Allegro assai, in F major (1887)
Second nocturne, with a more extroverted, march-like character.
- 08
Three Nocturnes, Andante – Allegro moderato, in C minor (1888)
Final nocturne, darker in tone and written a year later.
- 09
Piece (Canon) in E minor (1891)
A contrapuntal exercise from his Conservatory studies.
- 10
Fugue in D minor (1891)
Another student work, written as a required fugue assignment.
- 11
Prelude in F major (1891)
A short, lyrical character piece composed during his studies.
- 12
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3 No. 1 Elegie in E-flat minor (1892)
First published piece, a somber elegy that gained popularity.
- 13
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3 No. 2 Prelude in C-sharp minor (1892)
Rachmaninoff's most famous piano work, written at age 19.
- 14
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3 No. 3 Melodie in E major (1892)
A lyrical miniature, contrasting with the dramatic C-sharp minor Prelude.
- 15
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3 No. 4 Polichinelle in F-sharp minor (1892)
Lively character piece inspired by the commedia dell'arte figure.
- 16
Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3 No. 5 Serenade in B-flat minor (1892)
A graceful serenade in dance-like style.
- 17
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 1 Nocturne in A minor (1894)
Romantic nocturne, showing Chopin's influence.
- 18
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 2 Valse in A major (1894)
Brilliant piano waltz, light in character.
- 19
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 3 Barcarolle in G minor (1894)
Evokes the lilting rhythm of a Venetian boat song.
- 20
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 4 Melodie in E minor (1894)
A lyrical salon piece with song-like lines.
- 21
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 5 Humoresque in G major (revised 1940)
Playful miniature, later revised by the composer.
- 22
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 6 Romance in F minor (1894)
Tender and lyrical, true to its title.
- 23
Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 No. 7 Mazurka in D-flat major (1894)
Polish dance form reimagined in Rachmaninoff's style.
Release details
- Catalogue number
- CATM25-DIG01
- Barcode
- 199284552258
- Recorded at
- Church of the Hospital of Santiago, Úbeda
- Recording dates
- 8–15 February 2023
- Recording engineer
- Cheluis Salmerón
- Producer
- Calio Alonso
- Recording assistant
- Enrique Espigares
- Editing
- Jose Baena
- Piano technician
- Patrick J. Hinves
- Mixing & mastering
- Cheluis Salmerón and Tim Lengfeld
- Additional producers
- Siesta Producciones, Úbeda Music and Dance Festival
Volume 1 of Konstantin Scherbakov’s landmark cycle of Rachmaninoff’s complete original solo piano works, surveying the composer’s earliest output.