Morceaux de fantaisie


Morceaux de fantaisie, 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.

Composition

Elegie in E minor

Elegie is a musical elegy at moderato tempo.

Prelude in C minor

The second piece, Prelude is undoubtedly the most famous of the set.

Melody in E major

Melody is a short piece played Adagio sostenuto. It was rewritten by Rachmaninoff in 1940, along with the Serenade.

Polichinelle in F minor

The fourth piece, called Polichinelle, is in an ambiguous key although often referred to as "in F minor", and played Allegro vivace. It is a character piece, based on the Commedia dell'arte character Pulcinella from which Punch derives. It is in ternary form, beginning and ending with a fast section that gives way to a slower, lyrical melodious passage in the middle.

Serenade in B minor

The set ends with Serenade. It was rewritten by Rachmaninoff in 1940, along with the Melodie in E major. In several places, the key is in B Dorian mode instead of B minor.