Sergei Rachmaninov: Prelude In C Sharp Minor Op.3 No.2

Probably one of Sergei Rachmaninov's most well-loved works, the Prelude In C Sharp Minor is sometimes nicknamed "The Bells of Moscow" for its stately darkness, like "bells ringing on a dark winter's night". The gloomy, brooding chordal opening is contrasted with a tense restless, middle section, which does not break the mood, but offers livelier and more driven music before the monolithic restatement of the chordal opening theme.