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In 1893, Peter Tchaikovsky died of cholera at age 53. As to whether he was simply careless or was ordered to commit suicide by a secret court of honor is debated even today, with strong partisans on either side. As a homosexual pedophile, Pete liked his boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Even though the Russian nobility could literally get away with murder under the tsars, Pete had to be careful, which was why he had entered into a fake marriage.

Sergei Rachmaninov had met and conversed with Tchaikovsky at Zverev’s home at the Moscow Conservatory, and Sergei was probably careful when dealing with the older composer. Now with Tchaikovsky dead, Sergei wrote a chamber work to commemorate the composer.

A decade before, when Tchaikovsky was teaching at the Conservatory under Nikolai Rubinstein, who had preceded Zverev as head honcho, Old Nick had died suddenly. In response, Pete wrote his Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in A minor, one of the monuments of the Russian chamber repertory.

Sergei’s single movement Elegiac Trio from his student days was such a blatant ripoff of Tchaikovsky’s trio that he didn’t bother to attempt publication. Wise move! Now with Pete gone, Sergei decided to write a second Elegiac Trio in three movements as a tribute to Tchaikovsky himself. As a result, it didn’t hurt that this piece sounded a lot like the late master.

This is a 45 minute piece, a bit long for my taste, so set aside time, preferably with a strong drink. Anything with vodka will do. I prefer tomato juice, Tobasco and Worcestershire, with just a touch of bitters.

Rachmaninov: Trio elegiaque #2 in D minor, Op, 9