Rachmaninoff had sunk into a depression after the failure of his First Symphony in 1897, and it took the hypnotic treatment—or the sympathetic conversations—with Dr. Nicolai Dahl to bring him out of it. The spectacular result of his “cure,” for which the composer remained eternally grateful to Dr. Dahl, was his famous Second Piano Concerto in 1900, followed by the Cello Sonata in 1901. Rachmaninoff wrote the Sonata for cellist Anatoly Brandukov, with whom he gave the first performance in Moscow on December 2, 1901. Though much of the piece had been composed that summer, Rachmaninoff dated the manuscript December 12, 1901, after the premiere, indicating that he had some second thoughts that he incorporated in the final version. 

With its sweeping passion and melodic appeal, much in the same vein as the Second Piano Concerto, the Cello Sonata has enjoyed immense popularity. Its virtuoso piano part makes it an especially attractive vehicle for the pianist, but cellists, too, revel in its luxurious melodies. Regrettably it was Rachmaninoff’s last piece of chamber music.

The slow movement basks in Rachmaninoff’s rich, songful style, initiated by the piano. The central section in the minor mode comes to a dramatic climax before the varied return of the main theme.

—©Jane Vial Jaffe