Programme

🍷 Stellenbosch Vineyards Grenache

Tasting notes- Candied red currants. Light elegant

Bright, crisp tannins

Pieces-

Rachmaninoff- Vocalise

Rachmaninoff- Prelude in D major, Op. 23 No. 4

Tchaikovsky- November from ‘The Seasons’, “Troika”

Rachmaninoff- Prelude in G# minor, Op. 32, No. 12

We begin our programme with Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, one of his most popular works, and originally composed for piano and voice without lyrics. It is bitter sweet and poignant, but light enough to prepare our deep dive dive into his music. His romantic D major prelude will follow, and if you know his music well, has some of the most romantic moments ever written. November, subtitled ‘Troika’ is a cheerful number from Tchaikovsky’s ‘Seasons’. You may ask, why is a Tchaikovsky composition appearing in a Rachmaninoff concert? Well, as a concert pianist, this piece was one of Rachmaninoff’s favourite encores, Tchaikovsky taught Rachmaninoff as his theory professor at the Moscow Conservatory, so the relationship between the two composers do run deep. The piece depicts the joy of riding on Troika- a three horse Russian sleigh.We will end this set with Rachmaninoff’s sparkling G# minor prelude. The writing conjures images of falling snow and the delicate ringing of bells.

Part 2-

🍷Saronsberg Shiraz

Tasting notes- Succulent ripe fruit flavours. Delicate floral notes. Violets and spice. Depth. Oak flavours

Rachmaninoff- Prelude in F# minor, Op. 23 No. 1

Tchaikovsky- Nocturne in C# minor, Op. 19 No. 4

Rachmaninoff- Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano (3rd movement)

With Rachmaninoff’s F# minor prelude, we enter into some quintessential Rachmaninoff territory. The harmonic language is highly chromatic and dark and complex, and there’s an overriding sense of searching throughout the piece. The Tchaikovsky nocturne is lighter, but still melancholic in mood. But there is a contrasting middle section which signals a glimmer of hope. We end this set with the much-loved slow movement of Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata. Throughout the movement, cello and piano converse with each other, and the lines interweave often. The build-up to the climax is extremely intense, and many have been moved by this achingly beautiful melody.

Part 3-

🍷 Backsberg Family Reserve

Tasting notes- Concentrated Black Forest berries. Spice. Vanilla. Spice. Complex. Lingering after taste.

Rachmaninoff- Trio elegiaque no. 1 in G minor

Written when Rachmaninoff was just 18 years old, this may seem like a surprising choice to pair with such a complex wine. But his work already contains all the hallmarks of the Rachmaninoff style, and it’s a deep, rich piece of composition which has remained firmly in the chamber music repertoire since it’s conception.