Prelude-Op. 3 No. 2 (1892)

Originally in the key of C# minor, this prelude, also known as The Bells of Moscow, has been transposed up a half step to be more band friendly. Rachmaninoff composed this piece at the age of nineteen as a free artist after graduating from the Moscow Conservatory, and only ever made 40 rubles off the piece given Russia’s laws requiring publishers to pay royalties to composers. The dark and heavy character of the piece thanslates incredibly well to the wind band medium, and this particular transcription is best suited for collegiate ensembles. Programing this work is sure to offer juxtaposition against more spritely works and help achieve a well-balanced concert.