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The Symphonic Dances , Op. 45, is an orchestral suite in 3 movements. Completed in 1940, it is Sergei Rachmaninoff's last composition.

Rachmaninoff composed the Symphonic Dances four years after his Third Symphony, mostly in Orchard Point, New York on Long Island, USA. Its original name was Fantastic Dances. The work was premiered by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra on January 3, 1941, and is dedicated to them. Rachmaninoff composed the work nearly 50 years after his first published composition - the First Piano Concerto.

Originally scored for two pianos, it is usually heard in the orchestral version, remarkable for its use of the alto saxophone as a solo instrument. The Dances combine energetic rhythmic sections, reminiscent of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, with some of the composer's lushest melodies.

The composition includes several quotations from Rachmaninoff's other works, and can be regarded as a summing-up of his entire career as a composer. The first dance ending with a quotation from his unfortunate First Symphony (1897). The ghostly second dance (called "dusk" in some sketches) symbolises the years from the turn of the century up to the Russian revolution. The final dance is a kind of struggle between the Dies Irae theme, representing Death, and a quotation from his All-night Vigil (1915), representing Resurrection. The Resurrection theme proves victorious in the end (he wrote the word Hallelujah at this place in the score).

1. Non allegro
2. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse)
3. Lento assai - Allegro vivace - Lento assai. Come prima - Allegro vivace.

The name Symphonic Dances suggests that the composition can be danced to. Rachmaninoff corresponded with choreographer Mikhail Fokine about possibly creating a ballet from the Dances, even playing the composition for Fokine on the piano. Fokine's death in August 1942 put an end to any possible collaboration in this direction.

Salvatore Aiello choreographed the Symphonic Dances for the North Carolina Dance Theater in 1991. Peter Martins did so in 1994 for the New York City Ballet.

1. Kiril Kondrashin, conducting the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.

1. Vladimir Ashkenazy, conducting the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

• Liner notes to DG recording conducted by Mikhail Pletnev
• Liner notes to Reference Recordings recording conducted by Eiji Oue
• San Francisco Symphony program notes by Michael Steinberg

• Ormandy and Rachmaninoff
• Recording on 2 Pianos at Pandora Records
• Rachmaninov and the Day of Wrath inkpot.com
• San Francisco Symphony Program Notes by Michael Steinberg