Rachmaninoff: Complete Original Solo Piano Works, Vol. 3
The Romantic Titan
Konstantin Scherbakov · June 25, 2026
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Konstantin Scherbakov continues his 4-volume Rachmaninoff cycle with Vol. 3, The Romantic Titan. Spanning 1908 to 1911, the album captures Rachmaninoff at full late-Romantic force through the monumental Piano Sonata No. 1, the complete Preludes Op. 32, and Etudes-Tableaux Op. 33. A landmark solo piano release of scale, intensity, and virtuosity.
Full album
Tracks
- 01
Piano Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 28, I. Allegro moderato
A vast, storm-tossed opening movement Rachmaninoff privately linked to Faust, surging with heroic struggle and brooding grandeur.
- 02
Piano Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 28, II. Lento
The Gretchen movement, a tender slow song of luminous innocence and aching lyricism.
- 03
Piano Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 28, III. Allegro molto
A demonic, Mephistophelean finale hurtling with diabolical virtuosity and shadowed by the Dies irae.
- 04
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 1 in C major
A brusque, martial miniature driven by relentless rhythmic insistence.
- 05
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 2 in B-flat minor
A dark, surging prelude carried on a restless, ominous ostinato.
- 06
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 3 in E major
A bright, fanfare-like piece of buoyant, springing energy.
- 07
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 4 in E minor
A stormy, impassioned prelude building to a turbulent climax.
- 08
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 5 in G major
A beloved lyrical barcarolle, its melody rocking over shimmering, rippling figuration.
- 09
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 6 in F minor
A terse, agitated miniature charged with nervous urgency.
- 10
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 7 in F major
A warm, songful prelude of pastoral calm and inner glow.
- 11
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 8 in A minor
A fleet, capricious toccata glittering with restless brilliance.
- 12
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 9 in A major
A graceful, dance-like prelude of delicate, fleeting charm.
- 13
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 10 in B minor
A tragic, monumental prelude Rachmaninoff linked to Böcklin's painting The Return, heavy with foreboding.
- 14
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 11 in B major
A serene, flowing prelude of tender, hymn-like lyricism.
- 15
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 12 in G-sharp minor
A wistful, autumnal favorite, its melody threaded through cascading filigree.
- 16
Thirteen Preludes, Op. 32, No. 13 in D-flat major
A grand, bell-laden conclusion that crowns the complete cycle of twenty-four preludes.
- 17
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 1 in F minor
A stern, march-like study of driving, granite determination.
- 18
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 2 in C major
A gentle, songful étude of warm lyrical repose.
- 19
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 3 in C minor
A dark, weighty picture of somber grandeur and brooding weight.
- 20
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 4 in D minor
A restless, propulsive study churning with relentless momentum.
- 21
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 5 in E-flat minor
A brief, anguished miniature of compressed, stormy intensity.
- 22
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 6 in E-flat major
A glittering, toccata-like étude sparkling with playful brilliance.
- 23
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 7 in G minor
A poignant, elegiac study of deep lyrical melancholy.
- 24
Études-Tableaux, Op. 33, No. 8 in C-sharp minor
A sweeping, dramatic finale of full-blooded romantic power.
Release details
- Catalogue number
- CATM26-DIG02
- Barcode
- 8721555150423
- 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
- Additional producers
- Siesta Producciones, Úbeda Music and Dance Festival
Volume 3 of Konstantin Scherbakov’s landmark cycle of Rachmaninoff’s complete original solo piano works.