Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5 - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff completed this solo piano composition in 1901. The period from 1894 to 1900 was marked by some critical failures on the part of Rachmaninoff’s music, and a descent into severe depression for the composer. By the end of 1899 Rachmaninoff had ceased composition altogether due to the severity of his self-criticism.

At the suggestion of his aunt, Rachmaninoff underwent psychological therapy with the Russian physician Nikolai Dahl. The therapy proved successful, and by the Summer of 1901 the composer had completed both his Piano concerto No. 2, and the Prelude in G minor, Op. 24, No. 5.

Rachmaninoff would complete a further nine preludes in 1903, and published the Prelude in G minor with the other nine preludes as his Op. 24.

The premiere performance of the Prelude took place February of 1903 in Moscow, with Rachmaninoff as the performer.