The composer claimed that much of it was modeled after Totentanz by Liszt.  
The composer claimed that much of it was modeled after Totentanz by Liszt.  The main instrument in the 19th part is marked quasi pizzicato, modeled on the technique of its subject.  The minuet in the 12th section is the first appearance of a woman, following a long stretch concentrating on the evil spirit.  Written for solo piano and orchestra, it tells of troubles with the church, a love affair, and the selling of one's soul to the devil; all composed 96 years after its subject's death in 1840.  FTP, name this series of 24 variations composed by Rachmaninov in honor of a famous Italian violin virtuoso.
The composer claimed that much of it was modeled after Totentanz by Liszt.  
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini