Sergei Rachmaninoff

(1873-1943)
(Sir-gay Rock-mon-in-off)

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian pianist, composer, and conductor. Rachmaninoff began piano lessons at age four and attended both Saint Petersburg Conservatory and Moscow Conservatory. He became a virtuoso performer and had successes with his early compositions. However, his First Symphony was a critical disaster which caused him to fall into a deep depression. For the next four years, Rachmaninoff composed almost nothing. After a year of intensive therapy, he completed his Piano Concerto No. 2 which was a huge success and is still one of his best-loved works. Rachmaninoff and his family left Russia in 1917 following the Communist Revolution. Eventually they settled in the United States where he became a sought-after performer and conductor. Due to his busy schedule, he completed only six works after 1918. Rachmaninoff and his wife became American citizens in 1943; he died one month later leaving behind a legacy of lush romantic works for symphony and piano.

Important Works

• Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor

• Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor

• Piano Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor

• Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

• Symphony No. 2 in E minor

• Symphonic Dances

• 24 Preludes

• Variations on a Theme of Chopin

• Variations on a Theme of Corelli

• Vespers

• The Bells

• Concerto for Choir

Further Listening