Vocalise (Rachmaninoff)

"Vocalise" is a song by Sergei Rachmaninoff, composed and published in 1915 as the last of his "14 Songs" or "14 Romances", Op. 34. Written for high voice (soprano or tenor) with piano accompaniment, it contains no words, but is sung using only one vowel of the singer's choosing ("see also vocalise"). It was dedicated to soprano singer Antonina Nezhdanova.
Range.
Although the original publication stipulates that the song may be sung by either soprano or tenor voice, it is usually performed by a soprano. Though the original composition is in the key signature of C-sharp minor, it is sometimes transposed into a variety of keys, allowing performers to choose a vocal range more suitable to their natural voice, so that artists who may not have the higher vocal range of a soprano can perform the song.
Arrangements.
"Vocalise" has been arranged for many different instrument combinations. Examples are:
For/with orchestra.
also by Zoltán Kocsis
Derivative works.
The Pet Shop Boys song "Happiness Is an Option" on their 1999 album "Nightlife" incorporates a large portion of the "Vocalise" melody in each verse, performed on oboe as background material beneath the spoken text.