Background

Originally scored for two pianos, it is usually heard in the orchestral version, remarkable for its use of the alto saxophone as a solo instrument. The Dances combine energetic rhythmic sections, reminiscent of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, with some of the composer's lushest melodies.

The composition includes several quotations from Rachmaninoff's other works, and can be regarded as a summing-up of his entire career as a composer. The first dance ends with a quotation from his unfortunate First Symphony (1897). The ghostly second dance (called "dusk" in some sketches) symbolises the years from the turn of the century up to the Russian Revolution. The final dance is a kind of struggle between the Dies Irae theme, representing Death, and a quotation from his All-night Vigil (1915), representing Resurrection. The Resurrection theme proves victorious in the end (he wrote the word Hallelujah at this place in the score).

Movements

1. Non allegro
2. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse)
3. Lento assai - Allegro vivace - Lento assai. Come prima - Allegro vivace.

Choreographed

Salvatore Aiello choreographed the Symphonic Dances for the North Carolina Dance Theater in 1991. Peter Martins did so in 1994 for the New York City Ballet.

Selected Recordings

1. Kiril Kondrashin, conducting the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.
2. Vladimir Ashkenazy, conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra.
3. Lorin Maazel, conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker.

References