Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 ‘The Bells of Moscow’ - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 ‘The Bells of Moscow’ by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff completed a set of five piano pieces collectively titled ‘Morceaux de fantasie’ (Fantasy Pieces) in 1892 and dedicated the work to his harmony teacher Anton Arensky. Rachmaninoff was 19 at the time, and his ‘Morceaux de Fantasy’ was one of the first collections he composed after graduating from the Moscow Conservatory. The suffix ‘The Bells of Moscow’ are in reference to the carillon chimes of the Kremlin.

The collection was published in 1893. At that time Russia was not a signatory of 1886 Berne Convention, and as such Rachmaninoff did not receive royalties from the Russian publisher for the collection. His total recompose was a payment of 40 Rouble for the distribution rights, which is approximately £590 or $720 USD in 2023.

The work was first premiered in September 1892 at the Moscow Electrical Exhibition.

This prelude is in a single movement.