Gerhard Oppitz & Nicolas Economou - Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (2026)

Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 presents a masterful collaboration between pianists Gerhard Oppitz and Nicolas Economou, performing the composer's own transcription of his final orchestral masterpiece for two pianos . Written between 1940 and 1941 at his Long Island home overlooking the Long Island Sound, Rachmaninoff's three-movement work—originally titled "Fantastic Dances" with movements "Noon," "Twilight," and "Midnight"—stands as his last major composition, emerging from a period when the composer felt "I try to capture the music simply and directly from my heart, whether love, sorrow, bitterness, or religion—all become part of my music". The piece weaves together three signature Rachmaninoff elements: dance rhythms, Russian liturgical chant, and the medieval "Dies irae" theme that permeates much of his late output, lending the work an aura of both blazing virtuosity and profound spiritual searching . In Oppitz and Economou's hands, this powerful two-piano version—arranged by the composer himself for rehearsal purposes with choreographer Michel Fokine—reveals the work's intricate counterpoint and rich harmonic language with crystalline clarity, offering a compelling alternative to the more familiar orchestral version and capturing all the fire, nostalgia, and tragic grandeur of Rachmaninoff's valedictory statement.

Tracklist
01 Rachmaninoff_ Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (Version for 2 Pianos)_ I. Non allegro
02 Rachmaninoff_ Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (Version for 2 Pianos)_ II. Andante con moto. Tempo di valse
03 Rachmaninoff_ Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (Version for 2 Pianos)_ III. Lento assai – Allegro vivace