Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.4, Op.40 – A Historical Survey and Motivic Analysis of the Third Movement

Rachmaninoff’s Fourth Concerto is an anomaly in his output. It is a mystery whether the work was largely produced in Russia or America; therefore it is hard to make a claim as to which musical and extramusical influences pre- and post-emigration contributed to the aesthetic. In addition, the composer twice revised it, to make it more accessible to audiences. Despite these revisions, it remains the least accessible of Rachmaninoff’s five works for piano and orchestra. This study will be in two chapters. Chapter one is a historical review of the concerto. It traces the origins of the work, specifically the genesis of the concerto pre-1917 and the completion of the work after Rachmaninoff’s immigration to the United States. It also outlines Rachmaninoff’s process of revision. Of particular interest here is that despite two revisions of the work, Rachmaninoff seems never to have questioned that the distinct contrast in style between the Fourth Concerto and its predecessors may have contributed to public dissatisfaction with the work. The question of what is so different about the Fourth is taken up in chapter two, which focuses on its motivic density and rhythmic complexity. Looking specifically at the finale, which is perhaps the least accessible of the three movements, through a motivic analysis, I demonstrate that the movement is highly cohesive, with all motivic content derived from the introduction, primary theme area and transition. From the development onwards I provide a report of Rachmaninoff’s ingenious treatment of melodic and rhythmic motives. Finally, I ask the question, what does a motivic analysis reveal beyond a masterful treatment of motives?

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Musical Arts

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Piano Performance

Grantor

University of Houston

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• McCarroll, Paul 1984-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Guez, Jonathan

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Van Kekerix, Todd
• Hester, Timothy
• Morgulis, Tali

• Music

Language dc:language.iso

English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10657/19530

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uh-ir.tdl.org:10657/19530