Sergei Rachmaninow

Symphony No. 1 in D minor op. 13

Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 was composed in 1895-1896 by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) as his first major orchestral statement, written in the wake of his early success as a composer and pianist. The symphony is unified by a motto theme derived from the medieval Dies irae chant. Its premiere on March 28, 1897, in St. Petersburg, conducted by Alexander Glazunov, was notoriously disastrous--hampered by inadequate rehearsal and reportedly poor conducting -- and the critical failure plunged the young composer into a deep depression and creative crisis. For decades the work was neglected, and the score was believed lost until it was reconstructed after Rachmaninoff's death and successfully revived in 1945, revealing its power and originality. Today Symphony No. 1 has secured an important place in the orchestral repertoire. Instrumentation: 3(3rd dPicc).2.2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(4-5): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint edition.