S. Rachmaninov "Italian polka"
"Italian Polka" is the composer's memoir recorded in notes. The work tells not only about sunny and beautiful Italy, but also about skilled musicians, and about warm family evenings. Charming music from the first sounds will captivate the listener's heart. On our page you can learn the history of creation, interesting facts and listen to the interpretation of the work.
History of creation
The year 1906 was remembered by the Rachmaninovs family for an exciting holiday in Italy. Sunny Florence hospitably met the composer and his family. A few weeks later, vacationers decided to stay in a nearby city. The town of Marina di Pisa was located by the sea. On the coast Rachmaninov rented a small villa. The magical atmosphere inspired the musician to create a fairly famous piece - "Italian Polka".
Sergey Vasilyevich's niece recalled how the work was composed. One evening, street musicians approached the cottage. Italian with a cane, his wife, a child and a wonderful little donkey. They carried as a load the old mechanical piano, which resembled in its own structure a large barrel organ. A woman could easily get a piano, and then it began to play amazingly colorful music. The man sang and danced perfectly, the performance turned out to be really colorful.
The Italian polka motif was firmly remembered by the composer, Rachmaninov, who has an amazing musical memory, on arrival home first recorded the melody he heard. The recording was made for piano four hands and had the name "Italian Polka".
Interesting Facts
- Polka is dedicated to the composer's cousin, Sergey Ilyich Ziloti, who was an ardent admirer of Rachmaninov.
- It was his cousin who proposed creating a composition for the military brass band. Sergei Vasilyevich agreed, creating a new version of clavier, which includes several new fanfare. It should be noted that Sergei Ilyich served as a guard and served in the military service of St. Petersburg. Later he conducted the work in the Navy Department, but Rachmaninov was not completely satisfied with his work, since the newly-made conductor did not follow the author's instructions.
- The performance of Rachmaninoff has been preserved. Even today, it is considered the benchmark for performance.
- Sergey Vasilyevich Rakhmaninov loved this composition, therefore, together with his wife, they often performed "Italian Polka" at family evenings with their wife.
- There is an arrangement for two hands, which was written by Brother Ziloti. Alexander Ilyich was an excellent musician, so he coped well with the task.
- Due to the lightness and beauty, the product is often played by talented children. One of the examples of such a performance can be considered a performance by Denis Matsuev with a small but already gifted pianist Roman Boldyrev.
- It is no secret that in America the work of Rachmaninov is highly valued. Thus, according to Rachmaninov’s wife, Italian Polka sounded for many years in the Central Park of New York City. Moreover, the work is included in the curriculum of many American music schools.
Italian polka - sheet music:
Download sheet music
Download sheet music
Content and transcriptions
The musical composition is notable for its ease and originality. Compared with other compositions of the author, it does not differ virtuosity. When composing, the composer recorded a genuine Italian folk tune. He did not complicate it with various complex passages in order to preserve the unique brilliance and relief, peculiar to the folklore of southern countries.
"Italian Polka" is a work, beloved by many musicians. Perhaps that is why there is a huge amount of transcriptions for other instruments.
Arrangement for trumpet with piano is an interesting and colorful version of a musical work. The solo trumpet sounds effectively and juicy in the middle register, the piano performs the function of a non-annoying accompaniment.
"Italian polka" for trumpet (listen)
The arrangement for the military brass band is not much different from the original composition, it nevertheless has its own characteristic features. In order to convey more powerful colors of wind instruments, the composer added heroic fanfare, giving the music a shine and statist.
In the performance of two solo violins, the Italian melody sounds unusually warm and cozy. Usually, this arrangement is performed in music schools.
"Italian Polka" Sergey Vasilyevich Rakhmaninov is a small, but incredibly beautiful and soulful piece. The author himself loved to listen and perform a miniature musical sketch, created during a vacation in Italy. Incendiary and slightly naive music reflects the entire Italian temperament. Involuntarily you begin to imagine the southern evening landscapes, with their delightful purity and bright colors.
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