Romance was composed in 1891 for three sisters who were Rachmaninoff's cousins: Natalya, Lyudmila, and Vera Skalon. Rachmaninoff would later use the opening material of this work in the second movement of his Piano Concerto No. 2. Rachmaninoff sent specific directions to the Skalon sisters about the performance of this piece. These directions were translated by Ruth Burgess as follows:

This piece should be performed not too fast. Better to play it slowly and almost entirely with the second pedal. The melody and harmony should stand out. In the beginning, the Primo part should stand out. On the other hand, at the beginning of the middle section, the Primo should be subordinate to the Terzo part. I do not envy, from my point of view, the performer of the Secondo part - this part constantly has the accompaniment and further more, always plays "piano." My advice to the dear performers: first study each part separately. After studying it as necessary, play the piece together. I ask you to please follow my advice, otherwise, in my opinion, nothing will come out.

Performed November 14, 2014 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Southern Pines, NC. Pianists: Dr. Homer A. Ferguson III, Marylee Schulte, and Lydia Gill.

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