Rahmaninov Sergey Vasilevich

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov is a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist and conductor. He created an original style by synthesizing the principles of the St. Petersburg and Moscow schools of composition.

Childhood and education

He was born on March 20 [April 1], 1873 in a noble family. His paternal grandfather, Arkady Alexandrovich, was a musician who studied with John Field.
He received his first music lessons at home: his mother taught him to play the piano, and he played four-handed with his grandfather.
His grandmother took young Sergei to the monastery — church chants and bell ringing were later reflected in his work.
In 1882 he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory, then moved to the Moscow Conservatory.
He graduated from the Conservatory as a pianist (1891) and composer (1892). His thesis was the opera "Aleko" (based on A. S. Pushkin's poem "Gypsies"), written in 17 days. P. I. Tchaikovsky was present at the premiere at the Bolshoi Theatre.

The beginning of a career and the first successes

At the age of 20, he began teaching at Moscow women's institutes (Mariinsky, Elizabethan, Catherine) and giving private lessons.
At the age of 24 (1897) he became the second conductor of the Moscow Russian Private Opera by S. I. Mamontov. There he became friends with F. I. Chaliapin.
He quickly gained the love of the Moscow audience as a composer, pianist and conductor.

Creative crisis and recovery

March 15, 1897 — the unsuccessful premiere of the First Symphony in St. Petersburg. The failure was caused by the substandard performance of the conductor A. K. Glazunov, the innovative essence of the music, not understood by the public and critics.

After the failure, Rachmaninov fell into depression, and did not compose for almost three years.
The help of hypnotist N. V. Dahl helped to overcome the crisis.

1901 — the creation of the Second Piano Concerto, which marked the return to composition and the beginning of a period of creative flourishing.

The heyday of creativity (1900s — 1910s)

Key works:
The second Piano Concerto (1901) became a symbol of the composer's renaissance.
The Prelude in G Sharp Minor (1903) is one of the most famous piano miniatures.
The Third Piano Concerto (1909) was included in the repertoire of the world's leading pianists.
The symphonic poem "The Island of the Dead" (1909, based on the painting by A. Beklin).

Spiritual writings:
The Liturgy of St. St. John Chrysostom (1910);
The All—Night Vigil (1915) is the pinnacle of Russian sacred music.

Vocal works (romances, song cycles) have enriched Russian chamber vocal lyrics.

Emigration

December 1917 — went on tour with his family to Sweden, effectively starting emigration.
1918-1919 — lived in Scandinavia, then moved to the USA.
In exile, he almost did not compose (for about 8 years), focusing on concert activities. He explained it this way: "After leaving Russia, I lost the desire to compose. Having lost my homeland, I lost myself."
He returned to composition only in 1926-1927.

Late masterpieces:
The Fourth Piano Concerto (1926, revised 1941);
Three Russian Songs for choir and orchestra (1926);
Symphony No. 3 (1936);
"Symphonic Dances" (1940) is the last work, the result of his creative career.

Performing arts

Rachmaninoff the pianist:
a benchmark for generations of musicians;
He established the world priority of the Russian piano school (deep content, attention to intonation, "singing on the piano");
combined phenomenal technical skill with simplicity and refusal to demonstrate virtuosity;
He left reference recordings of his own and others' works.

Style Features

synthesis of the traditions of Russian Romanticism and the achievements of 20th century music;
the use of znamenny chant and bell ringing (connection with the Russian spiritual tradition);
Symbolism: the motif of Dies Irae (premonition of disaster);
expressive, catchy melodies;
complex harmony and virtuoso piano texture.

Personal life

His wife is Natalia Alexandrovna Satina (cousin), married since 1902.
Children: daughters Irina (1903-1969) and Tatiana (1907-1961).
Despite living abroad, he remained in touch with Russia: he helped his compatriots and sent parcels during the famine of the 1920s.

Recognition and memory

Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society (1932).

Concert halls, streets, schools are named after Rachmaninov.;
Tambov Airport;
a crater on Mercury.

He was buried at Kensico Cemetery (near New York), next to his wife.