Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle in F-sharp Minor, Opus 3 No. 4 Cover Image

Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle in F-sharp Minor, Opus 3 No. 4: Piano

$5.50 USD
$5.50 USD
Skip to product information
Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle in F-sharp Minor, Opus 3 No. 4 Cover Image
Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle in F-sharp Minor, Opus 3 No. 4: Piano

Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle in F-sharp Minor, Opus 3 No. 4: Piano

By Sergei Rachmaninoff / ed. Murray Baylor

Level: Advanced

Item: 00-895
$5.50
Shipped

One moment…

Description
Rachmaninoff presents here a humorous musical play for the piano which will display a great variety of touches, dynamics and tempos. The composer's own performance of this piece displays a great range of louds, softs, and varying dance-like moods in a story-like, entertaining, unpredictable, and joyous style. This is a demanding piece, requiring speed and wide reaches, and extremes of expression.

Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle in F-sharp Minor, Opus 3 No. 4: Piano isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Pages

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Masterwork Edition
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
ISBN10: 0-7390-3141-4
ISBN13: 978-0-7390-3141-4
UPC: 038081026138
SKU: 00-895

More about this title

About the Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer and pianist whose virtuosic writing for the keyboard remains unmatched in its technical demands and emotional depth. His early works, including the Opus 3 collection, established him as a master of romantic expression and instrumental color, drawing from Russian musical tradition while pushing the boundaries of what performers could achieve.

Why we love this

Polichinelle captures Rachmaninoff's gift for theatrical character writing without abandoning musical substance. The piece delivers genuine entertainment value while demanding real technique, making it equally rewarding for audiences and pianists who relish the challenge of bringing a vivid character to life.

What to expect

Mischievous and unpredictable, Polichinelle darts between moments of boisterous humor and lyrical tenderness. The music captures the spirit of the commedia dell'arte character, complete with sudden mood swings, acrobatic leaps, and a playful disregard for convention, all anchored in Rachmaninoff's rich harmonic language.

Who it's for

Advanced pianists ready to tackle genuine recital repertoire with substantial technical and interpretive demands. This piece suits performers who thrive on character work and enjoy the theatrical possibilities of solo piano writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Study Rachmaninoff's own recording to understand the dramatic arc and mercurial shifts in mood. His interpretation reveals how the piece functions as a narrative performance rather than a static composition.
  • Map out the dynamic extremes and tempo variations before drilling passages. Mark every shift in color so that transitions feel deliberate rather than accidental.
  • Build hand independence and reach gradually. The wide intervallic leaps and simultaneous high/low register playing require conditioning as much as accuracy.
  • Treat rhythmic flexibility as essential to character. Allow the dance-like sections breathing room and let the humorous moments breathe through slight tempo adjustments.

How to use it

Feature this as a centerpiece on a solo recital or mixed-repertoire concert where it can shine as a showpiece. The piece works particularly well in a program that balances heavier romantic works, offering audiences a chance to experience Rachmaninoff's wit alongside his lyricism.

Skills your students will build

  • Wide reach and hand position comfort across extended intervals
  • Rapid register shifts and simultaneous upper and lower voice independence
  • Dynamic contrast and control across the full spectrum from ppp to fff
  • Rhythmic flexibility and character-driven tempo shaping
  • Navigation of complex rhythmic figures and syncopation within a tonal context
  • Interpretation of theatrical character through purely instrumental means

You May Also Like