Rachmaninoff's Melody for Viola Solo and Piano
Over the course of his career, the post-Romantic composer Sergei Rachmaninoff wrote a number of small-scale compositions. Sometimes they were stand-alone works, but often they were compiled as part of a larger set. Melody, Op. 3 is one of the latter, coming from the set Morceaux de fantaisie written for solo piano.
About Rachmaninoff's Melody for Viola and Piano
Melody was composed early in Rachmaninoff's career. It is a short piece marked Adagio sostenuto. Dinerchtein's arrangement has been transposed a semitone higher to better highlight the viola's natural resonance and the melodic sonority of the composition. As an added bonus, the last note of the solo line can now conveniently fall into place as a harmonic.
About the Editor – Viacheslav Dinerchtein
Born in Minsk, Belarus – and growing up in Mexico – internationally-acclaimed violist Viacheslav Dinerchtein now resides with his wife and two children in Switzerland. He has appeared as a soloist with orchestra, in recitals and chamber music concerts throughout North and South America and Europe including venues such as: Carnegie Hall (New York), the Kennedy Center (Washington), Spoleto Music Festival (Italy), Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico City), and Sociedad Filarmónica de Lima (Peru), among others.
Dinerchtein is president of the Swiss Viola Society, a member of the Lipkind String Quartet, and recording artist for the Quindecim label. In addition, he has a strong interest in transcription/arrangement and has also been the dedicatee of several compositions for viola: including winners of competitions for composers. Dinerchtein premiered the viola version of Bartok's 44 Duets for Two Violins by William Primrose.
Dinerchtein studied with his father Boris Dinerchtein, Joseph de Pasquale at the Peabody Conservatory, and with Roland Vamos at Northwestern University. In his free time Viacheslav enjoys reading, chess, photography, and card magic.
Learn more about Viacheslav Dinerchtein and his arrangements at Ovation Press. You can also read more at www.vdin.ch.