Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor, whose works are among the pinnacles of Romantic music. Born on April 1, 1873, in Semyonovo, Russia, he became one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music. Rachmaninoff's career began after he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, having studied piano under Nikolai Zverev and composition under Sergei Taneyev and Anton Arensky. His early triumphs as a composer were overshadowed by the poor reception of his Symphony No. 1 in 1897, which contributed to a period of depression and low creative output that he later overcame with the success of his Piano Concerto No. 2.

Known for his intricate and emotionally charged compositions, Rachmaninoff's technical proficiency and expressive depth have made his works staples in the classical music canon. For much of his life, his reputation as a composer was secondary to his fame as a pianist, and it was his breathtaking performances that captivated audiences worldwide. After the 1917 Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff immigrated to the United States, where he enjoyed a prolific career as a concert pianist and conductor. Despite his expatriate status, his music remained deeply rooted in the Russian tradition, driven by a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. His oeuvre includes symphonies, operas, a variety of orchestral works, chamber music, and a vast number of piano compositions, of which the Preludes, Études-Tableaux, and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini are profoundly admired. Rachmaninoff's enduring legacy rests on his profound musical language and deep connection to the expressive power of the Romantic spirit. He passed away on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills, California, but his music continues to resonate with audiences around the globe.

Genres

Classical

Post-romantic Era

Russian Romanticism

Ukrainian Classical

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Latest Release

Mirage. Piano Works by Bartok, Rachmaninoff & Prokofiev

Irene Cantos•

Sergei Rachmaninoff•

Sergei Prokofiev•

Ludwig van Beethoven•

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Album - 56 Tracks - Released September 17, 2024