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First Symphony Premiere Ruined His Confidence
- Rachmaninoff's first symphony premiere was a disaster due to conductor Alexander Glazunov's poor rehearsal and drunken conducting.
- The hostile reviews plunged Rachmaninoff into depression and halted composition for three years before he returned with the Second Concerto.
Theme Came Ready Made While Accompaniment Took Work
- The famous opening piano theme of the Third Concerto came to Rachmaninoff "ready-made," while orchestral accompaniment was the compositional challenge.
- He chose a sparse, clarinet-plus-bassoon and string ostinato accompaniment to let the piano 'sing.'
Theme Echoes Russian Orthodox Chant
- The concerto's main theme resembles a Russian Orthodox chant but is not a direct quote; Rachmaninoff denied copying it.
- Musicologist Joseph Yasser noted contours similar to the chant 'Thy grave, O Savior, guarded by warriors.'