Composer of the Week: Rachmaninov: A Secret Admirer

In this series of programme, Donald Macleod turns his attention to Rachmaninov's great choral works and his story during the periods in which they were composed. Today, Rachmaninov is stung by an unexpected rivalry, and inspired by secret admirers. Rachmaninov: Lilacs, Op 21 No 5. Alessio Bax (piano). Rachmaninov: The Muse, Op 34 No 1. Joan Rodgers (soprano), Howard Shelley (piano). Rachmaninov: It Cannot Be, Op 34 No 7. Annamaria Popescu (mezzo-soprano), Howard Shelley (piano). Rachmaninov: The Bells, Op 35. L'uba Orgonasova (soprano), Dmytro Popov (tenor), Mikhail Petrenko (baritone), Rundfunkchor Berlin, Berliner Philharmoniker, Simon Rattle (conductor). Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 2 in B flat minor, Op 36 (Allegro molto). Zoltan Kocsis (piano)