Variations on a Theme of Corelli
 
The Variations on a Theme of Corelli was both Rachmaninov’s last work and the only solo piano work that he wrote after leaving Russia, many years before, at the time of the 1917 Revolution.
 
The theme itself is that of a song based on unrequited love that Rachmaninov mistakenly thought was by Corelli. Actually, the tune was that of a Portuguese dance melody entitled La Folia. The work is dedicated to the great 20thcentury Violinist Fritz Kreisler and it is possible that he introduced it to Rachmaninov in its violin form, hence the dedication. This theme in many ways captures the mood of his yearning for his native land.
 
The variations can be grouped in such a way as to make a kind of Sonata structure.
  
Movement 1 – (Nos 1-13) (Allegro and Scherzo) is the Theme and Variations
Movement 2 – (14-15) (Adagio)  is the slow movement Movement 3 – (16-20) (Finale) more variations and the coda.
 
Rachmaninov wrote the work to play himself at his concerts. But he was rather indifferent about it and the noisier or more restless the audience, the more variations he would miss out. Tonight we will hear the work in its entirety!