Art Collage JANG: COMPOSER OF THE WEEK: 36. Sergei Rachmaninoff

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

COMPOSER OF THE WEEK: 36. Sergei Rachmaninoff

Born: April 1, 1873; Starorussky Uyezd, Russia

Died: March 28, 1943; Beverly Hills, USA

Nationality: Russian

Occupation: Composer, pianist, conductor

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist and conductor of the late Romantic period, born on April 1, 1873 and died on March 28, 1943.

Sergei Rachmaninoff

In his early works, the influence of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Mussorgsky, and other Russian composers can be seen, after which he developed his own style, notable for his song-like melody, expressiveness and rich orchestral colors.

Born into a musical family, Rachmaninoff started the piano at the age of four. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1892, where he has already composed several piano and orchestral works.

Rachmaninoff at age 10

In 1897, he entered a four-year depression as a result of the negative critical reaction to his Symphony No. 1, and little composed until he had a successful therapy and completed Piano Concerto No. 2, which received a fervent response in 1901.

Rachmaninoff in 1897,
the year his Symphony No. 1 premiered

Then, he worked as a conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre, moved to Dresden, Germany, and toured the United States for the first time.

The Bolshoi Theatre during Rachmaninoff's time
as conductor (1905)

He often featured the piano in his works, and explored the expressive possibilities of the instrument through his own skills as a pianist.

Rachmaninoff with a piano score

Following the Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff and his family left Russia and settled in New York City, USA in 1918. In the United States, since his main source of income was through his performances as a pianist and a conductor, many tour schedules led to a reduction in his time for composition.

Statue commemorating Rachmaninoff's
last concert, Knoxville, TN, USA

Between 1918 and 1943, he completed only six works, including “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, “Symphony No. 3”, and “Symphonic Dances”.

A Victor advertisement featuring Rachmaninoff (1921)

In 1942, he moved to Beverly Hills, California due to his failing health, and was granted American citizenship one month before his death from advanced melanoma.