| Undoubtedly, Russian-American composer Rachmaninoff achieved monumental success with piano concerti.Nonetheless, compared to his famous second and third piano concerti, the fourth concerto has not garnered the same amount of critical acclaim and deserved attention. As one of his last compositions, Piano Concerto No.4 presents a distinct musical style from the early pieces. Not only does it show unmistakable inheritance from the late Romanticism of the nineteenth-century, it also integrates new musical characteristics of the twentieth-century.In this dissertation, we will first study the tradition and innovation of this concerto with reference to Rachmaninoff's personal background and experiences. Then we will discuss some of its stylistic and interpretive issues.Finally, at the end of our study and discussion, we hope to reveal some often overlooked beauty within this concerto. The author aims to deepen the appreciation of this work, a passion stems from both personal preference and systematic study of Rachmaninoffs late style. |
