Lynn Harrell: Rachmaninoff: Cello Sonata in G Minor, IV: Allegro Mosso

                            I am practicing this piece in college. The allegro mosso is the finale from probably the
                     most popular and in my opinion the greatest of romantic cello sonate. All movements are
                     sweeping and romantic. The cello part is challenging, but the piano part was essentially written
                     for the composer himself, because of the technical demands incumbent on the pianist that
                     is not very common at least in an accompaniment role. The finale in my opinion has melodic
                    elements that conjure images. It opens with a brief introduction with the piano, and the cello
                    immediately takes over with a joyous and beguiling melody reminiscent of American Western
                    films. Passing through moods of romanticism, turbulence, the sonata ultimately comes to a              
                   naive sounding coda that brings this sonata to a triumphant but brilliant and joyous coda
                  Unfortunately, I won't be able to perform it this year, but that does not detract from Harrell's      
                  virtuosity.

                  -JD