by Charles Lynch
Rachmaninov's First Piano Sonata was written in 1907 when the composer was residing in Dresden. During the same year Rachmaninov also completed his Symphony No. 2, in E minor, and Piano Concerto No. 3, in D minor. The Sonata has been called a pendant to the E minor Symphony in that its mood of hope is an answer to the latter's mood of despair. Furthermore, there are certain similarities in the thematic material and design of both works. The Sonata is. a work of large dimensions, almost symphonic in style, and is full of magnificent writing for the piano.