A classical moment mentioning you-know-who

[LC]

Ah, a Rachmaninoff tribute, complete with a reference to Eric, at the Hollywood LAist site:

http://laist.com/2009/03/29/classical_pick_of_the_week_ride_of.php

Never mind the headline (Ride of the Valkyries) and first paragraph. Go right to the 2nd graph and the video clip, which features Helene Grimaud (a hot pianist!) playing Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto and Claudio Abaddo conducting the Lucerne Festival Orchestra.

I get a kick out of the "My Girl" section (go to 3:20ish if you're impatient).

Here's the reference to Eric:

"This week in classical music history was a notable one for Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, who was born on April 1st and died on March 28th. A late Romantic, Rachmaninoff is best known for his piano works. The Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor is one of the most popular and difficult works in the repertoire, a typical work of Rachmaninoff. The second movement was used as the basis for Eric Carmen's hit song "All By Myself."

"Rachmaninoff was often self-critical and self-conscious of his works; he destroyed the score of his 1st Symphony right after the premiere (luckily the orchestra members saved their parts). The 2nd Piano Concerto begins with a simple chord progression which gives way to the orchestra who comes in with the theme, giving Rachmaninoff or another pianist time to warm up with the difficult passage going on simultaneously...."

[Brian Mc Carthy]

Its quite an honor to have mentioned Eric and his being inspired by this classical piece I have always been facinated by how well it payed off All by myself is immortal

[Trindy]

I love the "My Girl" section too! The first time I actually listened to the whole symphony it just tickled me to death: out of nowhere comes that oh-so-familiar French horn melody, and all of a sudden, BINGO, I realize the second movement wasn't the only one Eric got inspiration from...

[darlene]

This is very cool indeed. When my symphony played Rach and Lobsterlvr Dave was in the audience, our conductor gave the background on Eric's Never Gonna Fall In Love Again and it tickled Dave and me to hear him educate the audience about Eric.

Very cool!

--Darlene

[missm]

This was ethreal!!! I am so glad this was posted, otherwise I'd have never heard it.