Sergei Rachmaninoff Biography - A Very Quick Guide
Artist:
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Born:
April 1, 1873
Died:
March 28, 1943
Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff was born in 1873 on an estate near Staraya Russa, in north-west Russia. He trained first in St. Petersburg and later at the Moscow Conservatory. His early success with the Prelude in C-sharp minor (1892) made him widely known, but the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony in 1897 led to a period of deep depression. A course of therapy with Dr. Nikolai Dahl helped him recover, after which he entered a sustained period of compositional success.
What was his early life like?
Rachmaninoff grew up in a declining aristocratic family. After financial mismanagement by his father, the family estate was lost and his parents separated. He was sent to Moscow to study music seriously and, despite an uneven academic record, showed strong ability as both pianist and composer. His graduation piece, the Piano Concerto No. 1, indicated his early interest in large-scale forms and virtuosic piano writing.
Why did he leave Russia?
Rachmaninoff left Russia permanently after the October Revolution of 1917. The upheavals made it impossible for him to continue his life as a composer and landowner, and he accepted an offer to leave the country as a touring pianist. He settled first in Scandinavia, then in the United States, where he resumed his career primarily as a performer.
Why were Rachmaninoff’s hands famous? How big were they?
Rachmaninoff had exceptionally large hands, with a span often described as able to cover a 13th (C–A) or even a 14th depending on the individual key widths of the piano. His long fingers and wide stretch contributed to his powerful tonal projection and ability to shape large chordal textures cleanly.
However, most of his music is playable for smaller hands. Many pianists with normal hand spans perform his works successfully using rolled chords, redistribution between hands, or small adjustments that remain faithful to the score.
How did he earn a living after leaving Russia?
Because emigration left him without the rights to his earlier compositions or any property income, Rachmaninoff relied almost entirely on concert performance and recording for his livelihood. His touring schedule was extremely demanding, leaving him limited time and energy for composition. As a result, he wrote only six major works after leaving Russia.
Final years and death
Rachmaninoff became a U.S. citizen and lived largely in Beverly Hills, California, while maintaining a summer home, “Villa Senar,” on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Senar was the site of much of his late-period composing. He died on 28 March 1943 in Beverly Hills, shortly after being diagnosed with advanced melanoma. He was 69. His final public performance took place only weeks earlier, in February 1943.
What was his early life like?
Rachmaninoff grew up in a declining aristocratic family. After financial mismanagement by his father, the family estate was lost and his parents separated. He was sent to Moscow to study music seriously and, despite an uneven academic record, showed strong ability as both pianist and composer. His graduation piece, the Piano Concerto No. 1, indicated his early interest in large-scale forms and virtuosic piano writing.
Why did he leave Russia?
Rachmaninoff left Russia permanently after the October Revolution of 1917. The upheavals made it impossible for him to continue his life as a composer and landowner, and he accepted an offer to leave the country as a touring pianist. He settled first in Scandinavia, then in the United States, where he resumed his career primarily as a performer.
Why were Rachmaninoff’s hands famous? How big were they?
Rachmaninoff had exceptionally large hands, with a span often described as able to cover a 13th (C–A) or even a 14th depending on the individual key widths of the piano. His long fingers and wide stretch contributed to his powerful tonal projection and ability to shape large chordal textures cleanly.
However, most of his music is playable for smaller hands. Many pianists with normal hand spans perform his works successfully using rolled chords, redistribution between hands, or small adjustments that remain faithful to the score.
How did he earn a living after leaving Russia?
Because emigration left him without the rights to his earlier compositions or any property income, Rachmaninoff relied almost entirely on concert performance and recording for his livelihood. His touring schedule was extremely demanding, leaving him limited time and energy for composition. As a result, he wrote only six major works after leaving Russia.
Final years and death
Rachmaninoff became a U.S. citizen and lived largely in Beverly Hills, California, while maintaining a summer home, “Villa Senar,” on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Senar was the site of much of his late-period composing. He died on 28 March 1943 in Beverly Hills, shortly after being diagnosed with advanced melanoma. He was 69. His final public performance took place only weeks earlier, in February 1943.
Top Pieces on 8notes by Sergei Rachmaninoff