Sergei Rachmaninoff

Biography

Sergei Rachmaninoff (also spelled "Rachmaninov," 1873–1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. Rachmaninoff, it seemed, could do nothing right by most of his contemporary critics' and composers' standards. As a person, he appeared somewhat cold and aloof — Stravinsky once called him "a six-and-a-half foot tall scowl."

Sergei Rachmaninoff was born on April 1st 1873 in Semyonovo, north-west Russia.

Rachmaninoff's student years were nothing short of phenomenal. He consistently amazed his teachers with his jaw-dropping ability as a pianist and composer. In 1891 at the age of just 18, he created a storm with his First Piano Concerto, an incredibly accomplished student work.

Music continued to flow from the young genius, including an apprentice opera, Aleko, in 1892.

Rachmaninoff seemed unstoppable, composing a great run of pieces including the Cello Sonata and the Second Suite for Two Pianos, both in 1901.

However, his First Symphony from 1896 was roundly panned by critics, and caused the composer to enter a deep depression.

Rachmaninoff's masterpiece was surely the Second Piano Concerto from 1901. It's subsequent use in the film Brief Encounter have made it a constant favourite.

With his phenomenal conducting skills, Rachmaninoff was appointed Principal Conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre in 1904 and offered several major posts in America, most notably with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

He left Russia for good after the 1917 Russian revolution, first heading to Helsinki and finally ending up in the US.

Rachmaninoff died of melanoma on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills, four days before his 70th birthday.