Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
A virtuosic piano-and-orchestra work based on Paganini's Caprice No. 24.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. It is a set of 24 variations on the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini and is structured like a single-movement piano concerto.
- composer
- Sergei Rachmaninoff
- premiere_venue
- Lyric Opera House, Baltimore, Maryland
- key
- A minor (with variations in other keys)
- duration
- 22–24 minutes
- notable_variation
- Variation 18 (Andante cantabile in D♭ major)
Lore & Background
The work is a set of 24 variations on Paganini's Caprice No. 24 for solo violin. It can be divided into three sections corresponding to a concerto's movements: variations 1–10 (first movement), 11–18 (slow movement), and 19–24 (finale). The 18th variation is the best known, based on an inversion of Paganini's theme in D♭ major. Rachmaninoff called it 'This one is for my agent.' The 24th variation, nicknamed the 'Crème de Menthe Variation,' was reportedly played with a glass of crème de menthe kept beneath the piano to steady the composer's nerves.
Reader's Guide
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is one of Rachmaninoff's most popular works, notable for its fusion of virtuosic piano writing with orchestral color. The piece also quotes the Dies irae plainchant, a recurring motif in Rachmaninoff's music. Its structure—a set of variations with a pre-theme variation—was inspired by Beethoven's Eroica finale. The 24th variation's technical difficulty and the anecdote about Rachmaninoff's use of crème de menthe have added to its legendary status. The piece remains a staple of the piano concerto repertoire.
Did You Know?
- The 18th variation is based on an inversion of Paganini's theme, played 'upside down' in D♭ major.
- Rachmaninoff nicknamed the 24th variation the 'Crème de Menthe Variation' after drinking crème de menthe to steady his nerves before performances.
- The piece quotes the Dies irae plainchant, which Rachmaninoff used in several works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What melody does Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini use as its theme?
The entire work is built on the main tune from Niccolò Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A minor, his final violin caprice. Rachmaninoff takes that one line and reshapes it through 24 distinct variations, sometimes inverting, fragmenting, or reharmonizing it in unexpected ways.
How long is Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and what key is it in?
The piece runs roughly 22 to 24 minutes from start to finish. It is anchored in A minor, though individual variations wander through a wide range of other keys.
Why is Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini considered significant in the piano repertoire?
It stands as one of the last major works Rachmaninoff completed, written in his mid-sixties, and showcases the full breadth of his harmonic and virtuosic vocabulary. Its 18th variation, which layers a Gregorian chant over the Paganini theme, has become one of the most recognizable piano-and-orchestra passages of the twentieth century.
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