Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 Cover Image

Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Full Score

$140.00 USD
$140.00 USD
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Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 Cover Image
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Full Score

Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Full Score

By Sergei Rachmaninoff, ed./ arr. Clinton Nieweg/ Christopher Morgan

Item: 36-A190101
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Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Score and Parts

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Description
The premiere of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 was conducted by the composer himself in Saint Petersburg on February 8, 1908. The score is dedicated to Sergei Taneyev, a Russian composer, teacher, theorist, author, and pupil of Tchaikovsky. Alongside his Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3, this work remains one of the composer’s best-known compositions. Instrumentation: 3(3rd dPicc).3(3rd dEH).2+BCl.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-4): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).

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Additional Details
Series: Nieweg Performance Editions - Kalmus
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-58-106771-2
ISBN13: 978-1-58-106771-2
UPC: 679360641491
SKU: 36-A190101
Instrumentation: 3(3rd dPicc).3(3rd dEH).2+BCl.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-4): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) was a Russian pianist, conductor, and composer whose works bridged the late Romantic era and the twentieth century. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory and earned early recognition for his compositional gift, though the premiere of his First Symphony was delayed and poorly received, temporarily shaking his confidence. After intensive work with a psychologist to overcome depression, Rachmaninoff returned to composition with renewed vigor, producing some of his most enduring masterworks including his Piano Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 and this Second Symphony.

Rachmaninoff's music is characterized by sweeping melodic lines, rich harmonic language, and emotional directness that resonates deeply with performers and audiences alike. He emigrated from Russia following the 1917 Revolution, settling eventually in the United States, where he continued to compose while maintaining an active concert career as a pianist. His orchestral works remain central to the concert repertoire and offer orchestras the chance to explore the full palette of late Romantic orchestration.

Why we love this

This symphony sits at the heart of Rachmaninoff's legacy as an orchestrator and melodist. The writing is idiomatically demanding yet deeply rewarding for every section, from the soaring string passages that define the work to the brass moments that anchor its emotional weight. Programming this score elevates any season and gives your orchestra a work of undeniable substance and beauty that audiences know and love.

What to expect

Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony unfolds with the breadth and introspection of a nineteenth-century masterwork, moving from lyrical vulnerability to moments of passionate intensity. The orchestration shimmers with color and depth, and the long, singing melodies seem to emerge naturally from the harmonic landscape. There is both restraint and grandeur here; the work never shouts, but its emotional presence fills the concert hall completely.

Who it's for

This is for orchestras with sufficient instrumentation and musicianship to manage the technical demands and emotional scope of major Romantic repertoire. Conductors working with advanced amateur orchestras, university ensembles, and professional groups will find this score offers a natural step up from shorter symphonic works into full-length, multi-movement architecture.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the opening cello melody with the viola accompaniment; allow the cellos to sing freely without drowning out the harmonic foundation beneath them.
  • Mark clear rehearsal priorities around the Rachmaninoff-signature key modulations, particularly where the harmony shifts suddenly. Isolate these transitions in sectional rehearsals so the orchestra hears the harmonic destination.
  • Give the woodwind soloists (especially the oboe and clarinet) room to phrase their lyrical lines expressively. These melodies carry the narrative voice and should not feel rushed despite the surrounding orchestral texture.
  • Pay close attention to the percussion and timpani parts; they provide essential rhythmic and harmonic anchors during transitions. Ensure they are locked with the strings and brass during fermatas and ritardandi.

How to use it

Program this as the centerpiece of a concert devoted to Russian Romantic orchestration, pairing it with shorter works by Borodin or Glazunov. Alternatively, use it as the anchor for a season finale concert, where its length and emotional weight provide a satisfying conclusion to the year's artistic work.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining ensemble balance across multiple large sections during long, exposed passages
  • Executing rapid harmonic modulations with precision and coherence
  • Responding to expressive phrasing cues from the conductor without losing rhythmic stability
  • Managing the technical demands of Rachmaninoff's idiomatic writing for each orchestral choir (strings, woodwinds, brass)

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