Sergei Rachmaninov

Sergei Rachmaninov
Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Rakhmaninov) (Russian: Серге́й Васи́льевич Рахма́нинов,1 April [O.S. 20 March] 1873 – 28 March 1943) was a Russian pianist, composer, and conductor of the late-Romantic period, some of whose works are among the most popular in the classical repertoire.

Born into a musical family, Rachmaninoff took up the piano at age four. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1892 and had composed several piano and orchestral pieces by this time. In 1897, following the critical reaction to his Symphony No. 1, Rachmaninoff entered a four-year depression and composed little until successful therapy allowed him to complete his enthusiastically received Piano Concerto No. 2 in 1901. After the Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff and his family left Russia and resided in the United States, first in New York City. Demanding piano concert tour schedules caused his output as composer to slow tremendously; between 1918 and 1943, he completed just six compositions, including Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Symphony No. 3, and Symphonic Dances. In 1942, Rachmaninoff moved to Beverly Hills, California. One month before his death from advanced melanoma, Rachmaninoff acquired American citizenship.

Early influences of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev, Mussorgsky, and other Russian composers gave way to a personal style notable for its song-like melodicism, expressiveness and his use of rich orchestral colors. The piano is featured prominently in Rachmaninoff's compositional output, and through his own skills as a performer he explored the expressive possibilities of the instrument.
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Sergei Rachmaninov

Sergei Rachmaninov

Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Rakhmaninov) (Russian: Серге́й Васи́льевич Рахма́нинов,1 April [O.S. 20 March] 1873 – 28 March 1943) was a Russian pianist, composer, and conductor of the late-Romantic period, some of whose works are among the most popular in the classical repertoire.

Born into a musical family, Rachmaninoff took up the piano at age four. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1892 and had composed several piano a...
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3 albums
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RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor
The legendary 1929 recording in two different versions
and an additional alternate take

Recorded in 1929
Total duration: 66:39

Sergei Rachmaninov piano
The Philadelphia Orchestra
conducted by Leopold Stokowski

Download from €14.00 | Buy on CD from €20.00

RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 1
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 4
RACHMANINOV Paganini Rhapsody

Studio recordings, 1929-1941
Total duration: 2hr 17:25

Sergei Rachmaninov, piano
The Philadelphia Orchestra
conducted by Eugene Ormandy & Leopold Stokowski

Download from €7.00 | Buy on CD from €10.00

    RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 2
    VARIOUS
    Symphonic movements and short pieces
    Acoustic studio recordings, 1917-1924
    Total duration: 79:41

    Leopold Stokowski, conductor
    Sergei Rachmaninov,
    piano
    The Philadelphia Orchestra