Polichinelle in f sharp minor Op 3 No 4 - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Morceaux de fantaisie Op 3: Morceaux de fantaisie (French for Fantasy Pieces; Russian: Пьесы Фантазии, Pyesy Fantazii), Op. 3, is a set of five piano solo pieces composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1892. The title reflects the pieces’ imagery rather than their musical form, as none are actual fantasies. The set was dedicated to Anton Arensky, his harmony teacher at the Conservatory. Polichinelle in f sharp minor Op 3 No 4: The fourth piece, called Polichinelle (Полишинель, Polishinyelʹ), is in an ambiguous key although often referred to as “in f sharp minor“ (the f sharp minor triad has never been established throughout), and played Allegro vivace. It is a character piece, based on the Commedia dell’arte character Pulcinella (Polichinelle is the French translation of this word) from which Punch (from Punch and Judy) derives. It is in ternary form (ABA), beginning and ending with a fast section that gives way to a slower, lyrical melodious passage in the middle. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use“ for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use ©Sergei Rachmaninoff