Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff ({{lang-ru|?????? ?????????? ??????????}}, Sergej Vasil'evi? Rahmaninov, April 1, 1873–March 28, 1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. (Alternative spellings for his name include Sergey or Serge and Rachmaninov, Rachmaninow or Rakhmaninov, all transliterations of ?????? ??????????, his name in Cyrillic. "Sergei Rachmaninoff" was the spelling Rachmaninoff himself used while living in the West. It follows the generally accepted transliteration conventions of that era and is how he signed his name throughout the latter half of his life, including when he became a United States citizen.)

Works

His first three piano concertos are widely considered to be among the greatest in the literature; certainly the second and third are among the most popular ever written. The third, in particular, has the reputation of being the most difficult concerto in the entire repetoire, and is a favorite among virtuoso pianists. Interpretations considered "definitive" are those by Vladimir Horowitz, a close friend of Rachmaninoff; Byron Janis, the only student acknowledged by Horowitz and who had also worked with Rachmaninoff; as well as extant records by Rachmaninoff himself. Other noted interpreters of his music include Martha Argerich, Ruth Laredo, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Benno Moiseiwitsch, Cécile Ousset, Artur Rubinstein, Sviatoslav Richter, Van Cliburn, and Emil Gilels. His 'fifth concerto' is the Paganini Rhapsody.

Related Topics:
Vladimir Horowitz - Byron Janis - Martha Argerich - Ruth Laredo - Vladimir Ashkenazy - Benno Moiseiwitsch - Cécile Ousset - Artur Rubinstein - Sviatoslav Richter - Van Cliburn - Emil Gilels - Paganini Rhapsody

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Works for piano solo include the Preludes, Op. 23 and 32, in all 24 keys. Especially difficult are the Etudes Tableaux, which are literally very demanding study pictures. Early notable efforts include the Morceaux de Fantasie, Opus 3, the second of which, Prelude in C-Sharp minor, is one of his most famous pieces. Also well known are the Moments Musicaux. He wrote two piano sonatas, both of which are monumental works and fine post-romantic examples of the genre.

Related Topics:
Preludes - Etudes Tableaux - Morceaux de Fantasie - Moments Musicaux - Piano sonata

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Rachmaninoff wrote 3 symphonies, the first of which, in d minor, was a monumental failure. The second and third were much more popular. Other orchestral works include The Rock, Capriccio on Gypsy Themes, The Isle of the Dead, and the Symphonic Dances.

Related Topics:
First - Second - Third - The Rock - Capriccio on Gypsy Themes - The Isle of the Dead - Symphonic Dances

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Rachmaninoff wrote two major choral works: the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom and the All Night Vigil or Vespers. The Bells, a work for choir and orchestra, is based on the translated poetry of Edgar Allan Poe; its four-movement program signifies the circle of life: youth, marriage, maturity, and death. The Vespers and The Bells are widely considered to be some of his finest works.

Related Topics:
Liturgy of St John Chrysostom - All Night Vigil - The Bells - Edgar Allan Poe

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His chamber music includes the Trio Elegiaque, a piano trio written in memory of Tchaikovsky. Also well known is the Cello Sonata, which is really more aimed to show off the capacities of the piano than those of the cello. Nevertheless, it is a very finely crafted work.

Related Topics:
Trio Elegiaque - Tchaikovsky - Cello Sonata

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