Composer

:

Sergey Rachmaninov

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1902

Average_duration

:

2:16

"Lilacs, Op. 21/5" is a song composed by Sergey Rachmaninov in 1902. It was premiered in Moscow in the same year. The song is part of a collection of 12 songs, Op. 21, which were composed between 1900 and 1903. The song is set to a poem by the Russian poet Nikolay Nekrasov. The poem describes the beauty of lilacs in bloom and the emotions they evoke in the speaker. Rachmaninov's music captures the mood of the poem perfectly, with its lush harmonies and soaring melodies. The song is in the key of F-sharp minor and is marked "Andante cantabile." It is divided into three sections, with the first and third sections being in the same key and the middle section modulating to the relative major, A major. The piano accompaniment is rich and complex, with arpeggios and chromatic harmonies that support the vocal line. The vocal line is characterized by long, sweeping phrases that require a singer with a strong, expressive voice. The melody is full of wide intervals and dramatic leaps, which add to the emotional intensity of the song. The text is set syllabically, with each syllable given its own note, which allows the singer to emphasize the meaning of the words. Overall, "Lilacs, Op. 21/5" is a beautiful and expressive song that showcases Rachmaninov's skill as a composer. Its lush harmonies and soaring melodies make it a favorite among singers and audiences alike.

More....