The Bells of Moscow by Rachmaninoff arr. Stephen Primatic

Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp minor left a lasting impression on audiences when it was first premiered. It became so popular that it garnered many pseudonyms throughout the world such as The Burning of Moscow, The Day of Judgment, and The Moscow Waltz, though it’s often known as The Bells of Moscow due to the way its introduction mimics the Kremlin’s stately carillon chimes.

Originally written for piano and characterized by dense harmonies and bombastic accents, this piece is perfectly suited for a richly colored orchestration and Stephen Primatic delivers a brilliantly scored adaptation for the world of percussion.