This is Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor op.18, from the soundtrack of the classic British film Brief Encounter (1945), starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. This version is performed by Eileen Joyce, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, and recorded in July of 1946.
Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian Romantic, and this piece is full of lush, bold, sweeping phrases. It was composed during the fall of 1900 into the spring of 1901. The opening moderato movement is the one included here.
I have heard Rachmaninoff, a great pianist in his own right, perform this piece himself, though I still like Eileen Joyce's interpretation the best, by far. The opening sequence has such perfect tension and drama, even if you're not thinking of the film at all... it envelopes your thoughts. I think there's a very good reason Eileen Joyce's interpretation was chosen for the film.
I can get lost in this very easily...
Ochin horosho
