Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D Minor

Rachmaninoff’s Trio Élégiaque No. 2 is an expressive and heartfelt tribute to a departed friend. It was composed in memory of Tchaikovsky, who had been a mentor to the young Rachmaninoff. The score was begun on the day of Tchaikovsky’s death in 1893, and the work, for violin, cello and piano, was modelled closely on Tchaikovsky’s own Piano Trio. Rachmaninoff’s earlier Trio Élégiaque No. 1 (1892) is a much shorter work, but also indebted to Tchaikovsky’s solemn lyrical style. Trio Élégiaque No. 2 opens with the sound of Russian bells tolling in the bass of the piano. The music soon rises to heights of passionate intensity. Rachmaninoff, still only 20, was already a distinguished pianist, and the music’s drama is supported by a highly virtuosic piano part. The second movement is a theme with eight variations. The theme, presented by the solo piano, is taken from Rachmaninoff’s symphonic poem The Rock, which Tchaikovsky had planned to conduct. The variations are diverse and colourful, though still sombre. The last movement begins with a driving, rhythmic theme from the piano, much as Tchaikovsky might open a finale. This theme is shared around the instruments, though the piano continues to dominate as the movement grows to its thundering climax. The tension gradually winds down, and the ending quotes the bell theme from the start of the first movement. Rachmaninoff’s act of homage has come full circle.