Sergei Rachmaninov was 19 when, in 1892, he composed his set of 5 solo piano Morceaux de fantasie (“Items of fantasy”). The gathering was dedicate to Anton Arensky, Rachmaninov’s concord instructor on the Moscow Conservatory. It consists of the well-known Prelude in C-sharp minor, with its allusion to the Bells of Moscow. Shortly after publication, the younger composer gave a replica to Tchaikovsky, who commented on the standard of the work.
The set begins with the melancholy Elegie in E-flat minor. Its lamenting melody rises over darkish accompanying arpeggios.
