Transcribing Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Corelli for Orchestral Ensemble.

Raquel Garzás Garcia-Pliego

Name: Raquel Garzás García-Pliego Main Subject: Classical Piano Research Supervisor: Anna Scott Title of Research: Transcribing Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Corelli for Orchestral Ensemble Research Question: Can creating orchestral transcriptions of this piano piece confirm or change current perceptions of its character and meaning; and can studying the relationship between the orchestral and piano duo versions of Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances help inform my arrangements of his Variations? Summary of Results: This research paper focuses on the process and effects of creating orchestral transcriptions of Sergei Rachmaninoff's piano work Variations on a Theme of Corelli. The goal of this research has been to build more than one orchestral version of some of these variations in order to help piano students (as well as myself) arrive at more than one interpretation of the piece. In order to explore this idea of interpretive multiplicity and flexibility in the Variations, I based my transcription process on Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances: a work that the composer produced first for orchestra and afterwards for piano duo. During my analysis of the Symphonic Dances I tried to understand the composer's view of the relationship between orchestral and pianistic timbres so that I could then apply similar characteristics to my own transcriptions. As pianists we are frequently asked to think and play orchestrally, but sometimes we do not have the inspiration or tools to experiment with new sonorities and modes of sound production. In making these transcriptions, I have been able to explore and expand my own relationship with this work, while also opening up my mind to the interpretive possibilities inherent in other familiar piano works. In my presentation I will highlight elements of my analysis and transcription process before demonstrating their effects on my interpretation of Rachmaninoff's Variations at the piano. Biography: Raquel Garzás was born in Spain in 1992. After finishing her Bachelor Degree in Zaragoza, Spain, she continued her studies by pursuing a Master's Degree at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Den Haag with David Kuyken. Raquel has a special affinity for chamber and contemporary repertoires, and is a member of the chamber group Camus Trio. In recent years she has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, including the "Chamber Music Orchestra Andrés Segovia" together with the "Orfeón Donostiarra" in the National Auditorium of Madrid.

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6. BIBLIOGRAPHY