Tears
This adaptation for 5-7 octaves of bells and chimes is the third movement of Rachmaninoff’s Suite #1 for two pianos, Fantasy, Op. 5, written when he was a 20 year old student at the Moscow Conservatory. Even at that time his monumental talent and technique was legendary, and the original piece for 2 pianos uses nearly every note on both keyboards. Adapting this achingly beautiful lament for bells highlights the resonance, melodic layering, fabulous harmonic structure and bell-tone lines that Rachmaninoff is noted for. Enharmonics abound in this arrangement. Much equipment is juggled as ringers will occasionally use bells and chimes simultaneously. Rhythmic layering of triplets amongst duples, observance of dynamics, voicing challenges to make sure the 4 note motif is always heard above the murmur of inner lines and keeping the tempo at a brisk pace to connect the slower moving long lines will be the challenges and joys of performing this piece. For the advanced ensemble wanting a breathlessly gorgeous moment in their concert. Written for the 40th anniversary year of the Bay View Week of Handbells festival, Bay View, Michigan, 2017. 109 measures.