This haunting piece was originally written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as “Lullaby” - but composed as a song for voice and piano - and then twice recast by Tchaikovsky in his own arrangements of this piece.

We know and hear little of those two arrangements, but this arrangement written by Rachmaninoff is popular and has been offered often as an encore by pianists.

While most melodies are usually quite direct, this one being no different, in true Rachmaninoff style it’s the accompanimental writing that creates mood and atmosphere. The tonal centre of A-flat minor is exotic and not often heard...but then so is his shifting tonal centres, which depart from harmonic norms with a deft subtlety.

Rachmaninoff uses long chains chromatic double-third scales which create the effect of blurry vision if played without touching the key bed by use of a light hand.

Tragedy is never far from Tchaikovsky or, indeed, from Russian creative output in
earlier times - not for the sake of tragedy itself but, very much like what one can
find in western European literature (especially children’s stories), tragedy isn’t
reserved for adults.

Tragedy, even the mildest forms, are shared with children, in preparation for those tragedies which will confront them in later life. This piece does that...but cloaks any perceived harshness in mystery, dim light, blurred vision, and a gentle wind that rocks the cradle.

Listen to Rachmaninoff's Transcription of Tchaikovsky's Lullaby

On Spotify

On Apple Music

On Deezer

On YouTube Music

On Pandora