Inspired by his recent interview on NPR, I decided that Van Cliburn would provide the soundtrack for my working day. I cued up a playlist of the master interpreting Rachmaninoff and went about the business of my daily grind.
Part way through the Prelude in G Minor, I was hit with a mental conflict. I knew that I’d never heard the piece before. But damn, it was familiar. An hour went by. Then two. Every so often I’d start the track over again and wrack my brains, but to little avail.
Apparently my brain needed some time off from the question, because just as I got back from lunch I figured it out.
Cantara, by Dead Can Dance. The dulcimer part is a direct, note for note lift from the Rachmaninoff prelude.
I’ll be able to sleep tonight, thank goodness.