The last prelude of the Rachmaninov cycle – virtually unknown, and undeservedly so!! It’s in clear dialogue with his first and most famous prelude in C sharp minor: the opening motif of three descending notes is present here as well, in almost every bar, in major at first, then in minor in the middle section, before returning to triumphant major in the reprise. Such a magnificent close to the entire cycle! You can hear all 24 from Sunday Southbank Centre at 19:30 UK time today (or any point in t