Such an underrated piece. And so so difficult, though it may not seem like it, not only musically but also technically. Great performance, very original. Would've loved to hear Rachmaninoff record this. I feel like this is the piece that most reflects his life. Especially after leaving Russia forever.
Var. XV is very beautiful by itself but it hits very different after all these variations before it. Despite it probably being the only happy-ish variation, it is the one that makes me feel the most sad when l listen to this piece