Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов) was a renowned Russian composer, pianist and conductor, born on April 1, 1873, in Semyonovo, Russia. He is considered one of the last great exponents of Romanticism in Western classical music. His technical and rhythmic characteristics were excellent, and his large hands were capable of covering an interval of a 13th on the keyboard.
It has also been speculated that Rachmaninoff had Marfan Syndrome, as the size of his hand corresponded to his height, which was between 1.91 and 1.98 meters. He had the ability to perform complex compositions at first hearing. Many recordings were made by the Victor Talking Machine Company, with Rachmaninoff performing his own compositions or popular repertoires.
His compositions include four piano concertos, the famous Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, three symphonies, two piano sonatas, three operas, a choral symphony (The Bells, based on the poem by Edgar Allan Poe), twenty-four preludes (including the famous Prelude in C sharp minor), seventeen etudes, many songs, and the last of his works, the Symphonic Dances.
Rachmaninoff’s reputation as a composer has generated controversy since his death. The 1954 edition of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians notoriously dismissed his music as “monotonous in texture… consisting mainly of artificial and ugly melodies” and predicted his success as “not lasting”. However, not only have Rachmaninoff’s works become part of the standard repertoire, but his popularity among musicians and listeners has grown since the second half of the 20th century.
Rachmaninoff faleceu em 28 de março de 1943, em Beverly Hills, Califórnia, EUA.
his major compositions include:
– Four concertos for piano and orchestra, the second and third being the most famous and difficult.
– Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, a work for piano and orchestra based on a theme by the Italian violinist Niccolò Paganini.
– Two piano sonatas, monumental works that explore the sonorous and expressive possibilities of the instrument.
– Twenty-four preludes for solo piano, short but intense pieces that cover all the major and minor tones.
– Two large a cappella choral works: Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and Night Vigil (also known as Vespers), inspired by the musical tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church.
These are just some of the works by Rachmaninoff, who also composed symphonies, operas, chamber music and songs.
