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CORVALLIS - Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Concerto No. 3 for Piano and Orchestra," featured in the film "Shine," is the focus of a lecture and discussion at Oregon State University on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

The presentation, by Michael Coolen of the OSU Department of Music, begins at 7:30 p.m. in OSU's Walker Recital Hall (Benton Hall Room 303). It is free and open to the public.

"For two decades after he composed it, Rachmaninoff was the only pianist who performed this extremely difficult concerto," Coolen said. "When it was finally performed by Vladimir Horowitz, it is said that Rachmaninoff vowed never to play it again."

Since the debut of "Shine," the concerto has become more familiar to the public. Coolen hopes that the presentation will give the audience an opportunity to hear and learn more about this piece, which is "renowned for demanding passionate virtuosity" from its performer.

During the first half of the presentation, audience members will listen to and discuss three different performances of excerpts from the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto without knowing the names of the performers. They will then have an opportunity to vote for their favorite.

During the second hour, Coolen will present an overview of the form and main sections of the concerto, and the audience will listen to a complete performance of the work by the artist selected in the first half of the presentation. The audience also will have an opportunity to view a taped performance of the third movement of the concerto by Seattle concert pianist Craig Sheppard, from his 1972 performance at the Leed's International Piano Competition in England.