Works of Rachmaninov: list. Famous works of Rachmaninov

Born on March 20, 1873 in the Novgorod province on the Oneg estate and comes from an ancient noble family. The child’s attraction to music was evident at a very early age, and for four years he was taking music lessons from his mother, and then until the age of 9 his classes were supervised by the pianist Ornatskaya. From 1882 he studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under the guidance of professors F.P. Demyansky and Sacchetti, from 1885 - at the Moscow Conservatory under N.S. Zverev and A.I. Ziloti, S.I. Taneev and A.S. Arensky (composition). During the years of study, he composed a number of works, incl. romance “In the Silence of a Secret Night.”

He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in piano (1891) and composition (1892, with a large gold medal). Rachmaninov’s diploma work was the one-act opera “Aleko” (libretto by V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko based on the poem “Gypsies” by A.S. Pushkin), which was performed for the first time in April 1893 in Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.

As a pianist, Rachmaninov performed for the first time in the fall of 1892 at the Moscow electrical exhibition in a concert conducted by Hlavach, and as a composer - in one of the symphonic meetings of the 1892-93 season, where dances from his opera "Aleko". In the same year, the 1st piano concerto opus 1 was written, performed for the first time in 1895 abroad by A.I. Ziloti (2nd edition - 1917); two pieces for cello and 5 for piano. In 1893, 6 romances were written (opus 4), the first suite for two pianos, 2 pieces for violin, fantasy for orchestra “The Cliff” (first performance on March 20, 1894 in a symphony meeting), then 6 more romances (opus 8) and an elegiac trio in memory of P.I. Tchaikovsky, performed in 1894 in his own concert.

In 1894, 7 pieces were written for piano, 6 pieces for piano 4 hands, and “Capriccio on Gypsy Themes” for orchestra, performed in 1895. symphony orchestra under the direction of the author. In 1896, the 1st symphony, written a year earlier, was performed for the first time in St. Petersburg at the Russian Symphony Collection under the direction of Glazunov. In the same year, 12 romances, 6 choirs for female voices and 6 pieces for piano were published.

From September 1897, Rachmaninov was invited as a conductor to the Moscow Private Opera, where he stayed for two seasons (here his friendship with F.I. Chaliapin began). During these two years, due to lack of time, he wrote nothing, and only at the end of 1899 his romance “Fate” was published, performed in March 1900. The following year, 1901, he wrote the second suite for two pianos, opus 17, performed for the first time on 24 November at the Philharmonic Assembly; then the second concert for piano and orchestra, performed by the author at the first Philharmonic Assembly on October 27, and the sonata for piano and cello (opus 19) - first performance on December 2, 1901 in charity concert.

In 1904 - 1906 Rachmaninov was the conductor of the Bolshoi Theater and the symphony concerts of the Circle of Russian Music Lovers. Since 1900, he constantly gave concerts as a pianist and conductor in Russia and abroad (in 1907 - 14 - in a number of European countries, in 1909 - 10 - in the USA and Canada). In 1909 - 12 participated in the activities of the Russian musical society(one of the directorate inspectors), in 1909 - 17 - Russian music publishing house.

At the same time, he wrote the symphonic poem “Island of the Dead” (based on the painting by A. Beklin, 1902), the opera “ Stingy Knight"(after Pushkin) and "Francesca da Rimini" (after Dante, both 1904), 2nd symphony (1907), cantata "Spring" (1908), 3rd concert for piano and orchestra (1909), poem "Bells" " for orchestra, choir and soloists (1913), " All-night vigil"for choir a capella (1915); 2 sonatas (1907, 1913); 23 preludes, 17 etudes-pictures (1911, 1917) for piano.

In December 1917, Rachmaninov went on tour to Scandinavia, and in 1918 he moved to the USA. In 1918 - 1943 he was mainly engaged in concert pianistic activities (USA and Europe). Works - 4th concert (1926), “Rhapsody on Themes of Paganini” (1934) for piano and orchestra, “Three Russian Songs” for orchestra and choir (1926), “Variations on a Theme of Corelli” for piano (1931), 3 th Symphony (1936), “Symphonic Dances” (1940). In 1941-1942 performed concerts, the proceeds from which he donated to help Soviet army.

Rachmaninov - one of the greatest musicians turn of the XIX century- XX centuries His art is distinguished by vital truthfulness, democratic orientation, sincerity and emotional fullness of artistic expression. He followed best traditions musical classics, primarily Russian. Rachmaninov’s acutely lyrical sense of the era of grandiose social upheavals is associated with the embodiment of images of the homeland. Rachmaninov was a soulful singer of Russian nature. In his works, passionate impulses of irreconcilable protest and quiet contemplation, trembling alertness and strong-willed determination, gloomy tragedy and enthusiastic anthemism closely coexist.

Rachmaninov's music, which has inexhaustible melodic and subvocal polyphonic richness, absorbed Russian folk song origins and some features of Znamenny chant.

One of the original foundations musical style Rachmaninov - an organic combination of breadth and freedom of melodic breathing with rhythmic energy. A nationally colorful feature of the harmonic language is the diverse implementation of bell sonorities. Rachmaninov developed the achievements of Russian lyric-dramatic and epic symphonism. The theme of the homeland, central to mature creativity Rachmaninov, was most fully embodied in his major instrumental works, especially in the 2nd and 3rd piano concertos, refracted in a lyrical-tragic aspect in the composer’s later works.

The name of Rachmaninov as a pianist is on a par with the names of F. Liszt and A. Rubinstein. Phenomenal technique, melodious depth of tone, flexible and imperious rhythm, were completely subordinated in Rachmaninov's playing to high spirituality and bright originality of expression. Rachmaninov was also one of the greatest opera and symphony conductors of his time.

S.V. Rachmaninov died on March 28, 1943 in Beverly Hills, California, and was buried in Valhalla, near New York.

Sergei Rachmaninov (whose work and biography are studied in all musical educational institutions not only our country, but also the world) is a great Russian composer, as well as a pianist and conductor. He is the author of a huge number of works of various genres - from sketches to operas. S. Rachmaninov's music is imbued with romance, energy, lyricism and freedom.

Briefly about the composer

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov, biography, whose photos are presented in this article, was outstanding composer. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky himself, when he first heard the conservatory student S. Rachmaninov, predicted a great future for him. The composer had an unusually excellent ear and excellent musical memory. The first opera written by S. Rachmaninov, “Aleko,” was staged at the Bolshoi Theater when the author was only 20 years old. Since 1894 S.V. Rachmaninov began his teaching career. During the years of the Revolution, he emigrated from the country and lived the rest of his life abroad, where he was very homesick, but he was not destined to return.

Childhood and youth

The biography of Rachmaninov is interesting starting from his childhood. The composer was born on April 1, 1873. The place of birth has not been precisely established. But Sergei Vasilyevich spent his entire childhood on an estate called Oneg near Novgorod, which belonged to his mother. Although in some sources you can find the statement that he was born in Starorussky district, in the Semyonovo estate. Sergei Vasilievich was not only child in family. In total, his parents had six children. He had two brothers - Arkady and Vladimir, and three sisters - Varvara, Sofia and Elena. S. Rachmaninov studied music from the age of 5.

Biography of Rachmaninov S.V. associated with such names as V.V. Demyansky, Nikolai Zverev and S.I. Taneev. These are three great teachers from whom Sergei Vasilievich studied. Higher musical education the composer began to receive in St. Petersburg. But after 3 years of study he moved to Moscow. Then he studied at the capital's conservatory in two departments: composition and piano. Sergei Vasilyevich graduated from the Conservatory with a gold medal. S. Rachmaninov began giving concerts back in student years. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky attended Sergei Vasilyevich’s exam and gave him an A with three pluses.

Composer's parents

Composer Sergei Rachmaninov was born into a family of a military man and a pianist. The biography of his mother Lyubov Butakova is not very well known. She was the daughter of a general. Born in 1853, died in 1929. She graduated from the conservatory in piano. Her teacher was Anton Rubinstein. She had a rich dowry - five estates with large plots of land. One estate was a family estate, the rest were received by her father as a reward for service.

The biography of Vasily Arkadyevich Rachmaninov, the father of the great composer, is connected with the army and music. He was born in 1841 and died at the age of 75. He was an officer, a hussar, and was musically gifted. He entered service at the age of 16 with the rank of non-commissioned officer. A year later he became a cadet, and a year later - an ensign. Then he held the ranks: second lieutenant, cornet, senior adjutant, staff captain, lieutenant. Resigned several times family circumstances and again returned to the ranks of the military.

He was finally dismissed from service for health reasons in 1872. After which he was appointed as a mediator of land delimitation in several districts of the Novgorod province. Over the years military service was awarded: a cross for the conquest of the Caucasus, a Silver medal for the conquest of Chechnya and Dagestan, a medal for the pacification of the Polish rebellion and a silver medal for the conquest of the Western Caucasus.

Sergei Vasilievich's wife

Biography of Rachmaninov S.V. would not be entirely complete without a story about his beloved wife. Changes occurred in the composer's personal life in 1902. With my future wife He spent almost all of his teenage years with Natalya Satina; they were very friendly. The composer dedicated his famous romance “Don’t sing, beauty, in front of me” to her.

On April 29, 1902, the wedding of a couple in love took place in a small church on the outskirts of Moscow, after which the newlyweds immediately left for the station and went on a trip. They returned to Russia only a few months later.

Soon their eldest daughter Irina was born. Sergei and Natalya were relatives - cousins. At that time, it was forbidden for close relatives to marry; for this it was necessary to obtain permission from the emperor himself, and he gave such permission only in particularly exceptional cases. Sergei Rachmaninov submitted a petition to the Tsar, but the lovers got married without waiting for an answer from him. Everything worked out fine. A few years later their second daughter was born.

Descendants of the great composer

Sergei Rachmaninov was a loving father. The biography of his descendants is also connected with music. The composer had two wonderful daughters who loved their father very much and cherished his memory. Irina studied in the USA and was fluent in two languages - English and French. For a long time lived in Paris. She was the wife of Prince P. Volkonsky. The marriage lasted only 1 year, the husband died, although he was only 28 years old. Second daughter of S.V. Rachmaninova, Tatyana, also studied in America. In the 30s of the 20th century she moved to Paris. Her husband was Boris Konyus, the son of a violinist, composer and teacher, who studied at the conservatory on the same course as her father, S. Rachmaninov.

Alexander Rachmaninov-Konyus is the son of the composer’s daughter Tatyana. He is the only grandson of Sergei Vasilyevich. He inherited his grandfather's letters, his archive and autographs. Alexander was involved in organizing competitions named after his great grandfather, and also held celebrations dedicated to S.V. Rachmaninov in Switzerland.

The most famous opuses

Sergei Rachmaninov wrote a huge number of works. The biography and work of this great Russian composer are significant for our country. He left a huge legacy for posterity.

Works by Sergei Rachmaninov:

Operas: “The Miserly Knight”, “Francesca da Rimini”, “Aleko”.
Sonata for cello and piano.
Concertos for piano and orchestra.
Vocalise for voice accompanied by piano (dedication to the opera soloist A. Nezhdanova).
Symphonies.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Poems: “Island of the Dead”, “Bells” and “Prince Rostislav”.
Suite "Symphonic Dances".
Cantata "Spring".
Fantasy "Cliff".
Fantasy pieces for piano.
Sonatas for piano.
Capriccio on gypsy themes.
Pieces for cello and piano.
Works for a-capella choir: “All-Night Vigil” and “Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.”
Russian songs for choir and orchestra.
Pieces for piano 4 hands.

As well as a large number of romances, preludes, Russian songs, etudes and much more.

Conducting activities

The composer Rachmaninov, whose biography is not limited only to performing and composing activities, began conducting in 1897. He served as conductor at the opera house famous philanthropist Savva Mamontov. Here Sergei Vasilyevich met Fyodor Chaliapin, with whom he was on friendly terms all his life. In 1898, Sergei Rachmaninov was on tour in Crimea with opera house, there he met Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. A year later, conductor S. Rachmaninov went on tour abroad for the first time - to England.

Emigration

During the revolution of 1917, Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov went on tour abroad. The composer never returned to Russia. The family first settled in Denmark, and a year later moved to America. Sergei Vasilyevich lived there until his death. He was very homesick and dreamed of returning. For a long time, living in exile, he did not write new works. Only 10 years later the muse visited him again, he continued his composing activities, but performed extremely rarely as a conductor. Most of the works written by Sergei Vasilievich abroad are imbued with longing for home country. In America, S. Rachmaninov was a huge success. The composer died on March 28, 1943. Buried near New York.

This article gives full biography Rachmaninov - from childhood to last days life.

S. Rachmaninov was a passionate, honest person, demanding of others and himself. Biography, Interesting Facts from which this evidences, was considered by us in this article. But few people know that:

as a child, Sergei Vasilyevich loved to visit monasteries with his grandmother and listen to the ringing of bells;
the composer's grandfather was an amateur pianist, took lessons from John Field, wrote music, and several of his works were published;
at the age of 4, Sergei Vasilyevich already knew how to play four hands in a duet with his grandfather;
the composer's first love was Vera Skalon, she also fell in love with the young S. Rachmaninoff, he dedicated the romance “In the Silence of the Secret Night” and several other works to her, wrote touching letters to her;
Sergei Vasilievich was very punctual;
when the composer was angry, his face became scary;
S. Rachmaninov had a very quiet voice;
the composer did not like to be photographed;
preferred Russian cuisine;
S. Rachmaninov's favorite pastimes are horse riding, skating, swimming, cars and motor boats, agriculture.

Sergei Rachmaninov (whose work and biography is studied in all music educational institutions not only in our country, but also in the world) is a great Russian composer, as well as a pianist and conductor. He is the author of a huge number of works of various genres - from sketches to operas. S. Rachmaninov's music is imbued with romance, energy, lyricism and freedom.

Briefly about the composer

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov, biography, whose photos are presented in this article, was an outstanding composer. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky himself, when he first heard the conservatory student S. Rachmaninov, predicted a great future for him. The composer had an unusually excellent ear and excellent musical memory. The first opera written by S. Rachmaninov, “Aleko,” was staged at the Bolshoi Theater when the author was only 20 years old. Since 1894 S.V. Rachmaninov began his teaching career. During the years of the Revolution, he emigrated from the country and lived the rest of his life abroad, where he was very homesick, but he was not destined to return.

Childhood and youth

The biography of Rachmaninov is interesting starting from his childhood. The composer was born on April 1, 1873. The place of birth has not been precisely established. But Sergei Vasilyevich spent his entire childhood on an estate called Oneg near Novgorod, which belonged to his mother. Although in some sources you can find the statement that he was born in Starorussky district, in the Semyonovo estate. Sergei Vasilyevich was not the only child in the family. In total, his parents had six children. He had two brothers - Arkady and Vladimir, and three sisters - Varvara, Sofia and Elena. S. Rachmaninov studied music from the age of 5.

Biography of Rachmaninov S.V. associated with such names as V.V. Demyansky, Nikolai Zverev and S.I. Taneev. These are three great teachers from whom Sergei Vasilievich studied. The composer began receiving higher musical education in St. Petersburg. But after 3 years of study he moved to Moscow. Then he studied at the capital's conservatory in two departments: composition and piano. Sergei Vasilyevich graduated from the Conservatory with a gold medal. S. Rachmaninov began giving concerts during his student years. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky attended Sergei Vasilyevich’s exam and gave him an A with three pluses.

Composer's parents

The biography of Vasily Arkadyevich Rachmaninov, the father of the great composer, is connected with the army and music. He was born in 1841 and died at the age of 75. He was an officer, a hussar, and was musically gifted. He entered service at the age of 16 with the rank of non-commissioned officer. A year later he became a cadet, and a year later - an ensign. Then he held the ranks: second lieutenant, cornet, senior adjutant, staff captain, lieutenant. He resigned several times for family reasons and returned to the military.

He was finally dismissed from service for health reasons in 1872. After which he was appointed as a mediator of land delimitation in several districts of the Novgorod province. During the years of military service he was awarded: a cross for the conquest of the Caucasus, a Silver medal for the conquest of Chechnya and Dagestan, a medal for the pacification of the Polish rebellion and a silver medal for the conquest of the Western Caucasus.

Sergei Vasilievich's wife

Biography of Rachmaninov S.V. would not be entirely complete without a story about his beloved wife. Changes occurred in the composer's personal life in 1902. He spent almost all of his teenage years with his future wife Natalya Satina; they were very friendly. The composer dedicated his famous romance “Don’t sing, beauty, in front of me” to her.

Descendants of the great composer

Sergei Rachmaninov was a loving father. The biography of his descendants is also connected with music. The composer had two wonderful daughters who loved their father very much and cherished his memory. Irina studied in the USA and was fluent in two languages - English and French. She lived in Paris for a long time. She was the wife of Prince P. Volkonsky. The marriage lasted only 1 year, the husband died, although he was only 28 years old. Second daughter of S.V. Rachmaninova, Tatyana, also studied in America. In the 30s of the 20th century she moved to Paris. Her husband was Boris Konyus, the son of a violinist, composer and teacher, who studied at the conservatory on the same course as her father, S. Rachmaninov.

The most famous opuses

Sergei Rachmaninov wrote a huge number of works. The biography and work of this great Russian composer are significant for our country. He left a huge legacy for posterity.

Works by Sergei Rachmaninov:

Operas: “The Miserly Knight”, “Francesca da Rimini”, “Aleko”.
Sonata for cello and piano.
Concertos for piano and orchestra.
Vocalise for voice accompanied by piano (dedication to the opera soloist A. Nezhdanova).
Symphonies.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Poems: “Island of the Dead”, “Bells” and “Prince Rostislav”.
Suite "Symphonic Dances".
Cantata "Spring".
Fantasy "Cliff".
Fantasy pieces for piano.
Sonatas for piano.
Capriccio on gypsy themes.
Pieces for cello and piano.
Works for a-capella choir: “All-Night Vigil” and “Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.”
Russian songs for choir and orchestra.
Pieces for piano 4 hands.

As well as a large number of romances, preludes, Russian songs, etudes and much more.

Conducting activities

The composer Rachmaninov, whose biography is not limited only to performing and composing activities, began conducting in 1897. He served as conductor at the opera house of the famous philanthropist Savva Mamontov. Here Sergei Vasilyevich met Fyodor Chaliapin, with whom he was on friendly terms all his life. In 1898, Sergei Rachmaninov was on tour in Crimea with the opera house, where he met Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. A year later, conductor S. Rachmaninov went on tour abroad for the first time - to England.

Emigration

During the revolution of 1917, Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov went on tour abroad. The composer never returned to Russia. The family first settled in Denmark, and a year later moved to America. Sergei Vasilyevich lived there until his death. He was very homesick and dreamed of returning. For a long time, living in exile, he did not write new works. Only 10 years later the muse visited him again, he continued his composing activities, but performed extremely rarely as a conductor. Most of the works written by Sergei Vasilyevich abroad are imbued with longing for his native country. In America, S. Rachmaninov was a huge success. The composer died on March 28, 1943. Buried near New York.

This article gives a complete biography of Rachmaninov - from childhood to the last days of his life.

S. Rachmaninov was a passionate, honest person, demanding of others and himself. The biography, interesting facts from which testify to this, was examined by us in this article. But few people know that:

as a child, Sergei Vasilyevich loved to visit monasteries with his grandmother and listen to the ringing of bells;
the composer's grandfather was an amateur pianist, took lessons from John Field, wrote music, and several of his works were published;
at the age of 4, Sergei Vasilyevich already knew how to play four hands in a duet with his grandfather;
the composer's first love was Vera Skalon, she also fell in love with the young S. Rachmaninoff, he dedicated the romance “In the Silence of the Secret Night” and several other works to her, wrote touching letters to her;
Sergei Vasilievich was very punctual;
when the composer was angry, his face became scary;
S. Rachmaninov had a very quiet voice;
the composer did not like to be photographed;
preferred Russian cuisine;
S. Rachmaninov's favorite pastimes are horse riding, skating, swimming, cars and motor boats, agriculture.

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov is a great Russian composer, also famous as a pianist and conductor. He first gained fame while still a student, as he wrote a number of very popular romances, the famous Prelude, the First Piano Concerto and the opera “Aleko”, which was staged at the Bolshoi Theater. In his work, he synthesized two main Russian schools of composition, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and created his own unique style, which became the pearl of classical music.

Sergei was born in the Semyonovo estate, located in the Novgorod province, but grew up on the Oneg estate, which belonged to his father, nobleman Vasily Arkadyevich. The composer's mother, Lyubov Petrovna, was the daughter of the director of the Arakcheevsky Cadet Corps.

S. Rachmaninov in childhood

Rachmaninov, apparently, inherited his musical talent from male line. His grandfather was a pianist and performed in concerts in many cities Russian Empire. Dad was also known as an excellent musician, but he only played with friends. X.

Parents: mother Lyubov Petrovna and father Vasily Arkadyevich

The music of Sergei Rachmaninov was very interesting early years. His first teacher was his mother, who introduced the child to the basics of musical notation, then he studied with a visiting pianist, and at the age of 9 he entered the junior class of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. But finding himself at such an early age to be his own master, the boy could not cope with the temptation and began to skip classes. At a family council, Sergei Rachmaninov briefly explained to his family that he lacked discipline, and the father transferred his son to Moscow, to a private boarding school for musically gifted children. The students of this institution were under constant supervision, honed their playing of instruments for six hours a day and without fail went to the Philharmonic and the Opera House.

Sergei Rachmaninov in childhood

However, four years later, having quarreled with his mentor, the talented teenager quits his studies. He remained to live in Moscow, as his relatives sheltered him, and only in 1988 he continued his studies, already at the senior department of the Moscow Conservatory, from which he graduated with a gold medal at the age of 19 in two areas - as a pianist and as a composer. By the way, even at a tender age Sergei Rachmaninov short biography who is inextricably linked with the greatest Russian musicians, met Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was thanks to him that the first opera young talent“Aleko” based on the work of A. S. Pushkin was staged on the stage of the Moscow Bolshoi Theater.

Sergei Rachmaninov in his youth

After graduating from the conservatory, the young man began teaching young ladies at women's institutes. Sergei Rachmaninov also taught piano privately, although he never liked being a teacher. Later, the composer took the place of conductor at the Moscow Bolshoi Theater and led the orchestra when they staged performances from the Russian repertoire. Another conductor, Italian I. K. Altani, was responsible for foreign productions. When did it happen October Revolution 1917, Rachmaninov did not accept her, so at the first opportunity he emigrated from Russia. He took advantage of the invitation to give a concert in Stockholm and never returned from there.

Sergei Rachmaninov

It should be noted that in Europe Sergei Vasilyevich was left without money and property, since otherwise he would not have been allowed to go abroad. He decided to perform as a pianist. Sergei Rachmaninov gave concert after concert and very quickly paid off his debts, and also gained enormous fame. At the end of 1918, the musician sailed by boat to New York, where he was greeted as a hero and a star of the first magnitude. In the USA, Rachmaninov continued to tour as a pianist, and occasionally as a conductor, and did not stop this activity until the end of his life.

Americans literally idolized the Russian composer, and a crowd of photographers always followed him. Sergei even had to use tricks to get rid of the annoying attention. For example, he often rented a hotel room but slept in a private railroad car to confuse reporters.

Works by Rachmaninov

While still a student at the conservatory, Rachmaninov became famous at the Moscow level. It was then that he wrote the First Piano Concerto, Prelude in C sharp minor, which became his business card on long years, as well as many lyrical romances. But the career that had started so successfully was interrupted due to the failure of the First Symphony. After its performance in St. Petersburg concert hall The composer received a barrage of criticism and devastating reviews.

Romance “It’s good here...” by Sergei Rachmaninov performed by Anna Netrebko

For more than three years, Sergei Vasilyevich did not compose anything, was depressed and spent almost all the time lying at home on the sofa. Only by resorting to the help of a hypnotist did the young man manage to overcome his creative crisis.

In 1901, Rachmaninov finally wrote a new great work, "Second Piano Concerto". And this opus is still considered one of greatest works classical music.

S.V.RachmaninovPlaysHisconcertoNo2

Even modern musicians note the influence of this creation. For example, based on it Matthew Bellamy, frontman of the group “Muse", created such compositions as "SpaceDementia», « Megalomania" And "RuledbySecret" You can feel the melody of the Russian composer in the songs “TheFallenPriest" Freddie Mercury, "AllbyMyself"Celine Dion and "IThinkofYou» Frank Sinatra.

The symphonic poem “Island of the Dead”, “Symphony No. 2”, which, unlike the first, was a tremendous success with the public, as well as the very complex “Piano Sonata No. 2” turned out to be absolutely stunning. In it, Rachmaninov made extensive use of the effect of dissonance and developed its application to the maximum level.

Anna Moffo: S. Rachmaninoff, “Vocalise”. Op. 34 No 14

Speaking about the work of the Russian composer, one cannot help but mention the magically beautiful “Vocalise”. This work was published as part of the collection of Fourteen Songs, but is usually performed alone and is an indication of the performance's mastery. Today there are versions of “Vocalise” not only for voice, but also for piano, violin and other instruments, including with orchestra.

After emigration, Sergei Vasilyevich did not write significant works for a very long time. Only in 1927 did he release Piano Concerto No. 4 and several Russian songs. Behind last years Rachmaninov created only three lives musical works- “Symphony No. 3”, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra” and “Symphonic Dances”. But it is noteworthy that all three belong to the pinnacle of world classical music.

Personal life

Rachmaninov was a very amorous man, in whose heart feelings for the ladies around him repeatedly flared up. And it was precisely thanks to such emotionality that the composer’s romances turned out to be so lyrical. Sergei was about 17 years old when he met the Skalon sisters. The young man especially singled out one of them, Vera, whom he called either Verochka or “My Psychopath”. Rachmaninov's romantic feeling turned out to be mutual, but at the same time purely platonic. The young man dedicated the song “In the Silence of the Secret Night,” a romance for cello and piano, as well as the second part of his First Piano Concerto, to Vera Scalon.

After returning to Moscow, Sergei writes the girl a huge number of love letters, of which about a hundred have survived. But at the same time, the ardent young man falls in love with Anna Lodyzhenskaya, the wife of his friend. For her, he composes the romance “Oh no, I pray you don’t go!”, which has become a classic. And Rachmaninov met his future wife, Natalya Alexandrovna Satina, much earlier, because she was the daughter of the very relatives who sheltered him when Sergei dropped out of school at the boarding house.

With daughters Irina and Tatyana

In 1893, Rachmaninov realized that he was in love and gave his beloved a new romance, “Don’t sing, beauty, in front of me.” The personal life of Sergei Rachmaninov changes nine years later - Natalya becomes the official wife of the young composer, and a year later - his mother eldest daughter Irina.

Dinara Aliyeva - “Don’t sing beauty in front of me...”

Rachmaninov also had a second daughter, Tatyana, who was born in 1907. But Sergei Vasilyevich’s love of love did not exhaust itself there. One of the “muses” of the Russian classical legend was the young singer Nina Koshits, for whom he specially wrote a number of vocal parts. But after Sergei Vasilyevich emigrated, he was accompanied on his tours only by his wife, whom Rachmaninov called “the good genius of my whole life.”

Sergei Rachmaninov and his wife Natalya Satina

Despite the fact that the composer and pianist spent most of his time in the United States, he often visited Switzerland, where he built the luxurious Senar villa, which offers an amazing view of Lake Firvaldstät and Mount Pilatus. The name of the villa is an abbreviation of the names of its owners - Sergei and Natalia Rachmaninov. In this house, the man fully realized his long-time passion for technology. There you could find both an elevator and a toy store. railway, and one of the new products of that time - a vacuum cleaner. The composer was also the holder of a patent for his invention: he created a special muff with a heating pad attached to it, in which pianists could warm their hands before a concert. Also in the star’s garage there was always a brand new Cadillac or Continental, which he changed every year.

With grandchildren Sofinka Volkonskaya and Sasha Konyus

The biography of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov would be incomplete if we did not talk about his love for Russia. All his life the composer remained a patriot; in exile he surrounded himself with Russian friends, Russian servants, and Russian books. But he didn’t want to come back because he didn’t recognize Soviet power. However, when Nazi Germany attacked the USSR, Rachmaninov was almost on the verge of panic. He began sending money collected from many concerts to the Red Army Fund and encouraged many of his acquaintances to follow his example.

Death

All his life, Sergei Vasilyevich smoked a lot, almost never parting with cigarettes. Most likely it's this one bad habit caused melanoma in the composer in his declining years. True, Rachmaninov himself cancer did not suspect, he worked until his last days and just a month and a half before his death he gave grand concert in the USA, which was his last.

The great Russian composer did not live to see his 70th birthday by only three days. He died in his California apartment in Beverly Hills on March 28, 1943.

April 1 (March 20), 1873, Oneg estate, now Novgorod region - March 28, 1943, Beverly Hills, California, USA. He was buried in Walhall, near New York.
Russian composer, pianist, conductor.

In 1904-1906 - conductor of the Bolshoi Theater. From December 1917 he lived abroad (from 1918 in the USA). The theme of the homeland is embodied with particular force in Rachmaninov’s work. Romantic pathos is combined in his music with lyrical and contemplative moods, inexhaustible melodic richness, breadth and freedom of breathing - with rhythmic energy. 4 concerts, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” (1934) for piano and orchestra, preludes, etudes-pictures for piano, 3 symphonies (1895-1936), fantasy “The Cliff” (1893), poem “Island of the Dead” (1909), “Symphonic Dances” (1940) for orchestra, cantata “Spring” (1902), poem “Bells” (1913) for choir and orchestra, operas “Aleko” (1892), “The Miserly Knight”, “Francesca da Rimini” (both 1904), romances.

Years of study
Rachmaninov was born in noble family with long musical traditions (his grandfather Arkady Aleksandrovich Rachmaninov, 1808-1881, was known as the author of salon romances). He began systematically studying music at the age of five. In 1882 he entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory. In 1885 he moved to Moscow and became a student at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied first with the famous pianist-teacher N. S. Zverev (whose student was also Scriabin), and from 1888 with A. I. Ziloti (piano), A. S. Arensky (composition, instrumentation, harmony), S. I. Taneyev (counterpoint of strict writing). Among the works written during his studies are Concerto No. 1 for piano and orchestra (1891, 2 edition, 1917), a youth symphony (1891), and a symphonic poem “Prince Rostislav” (after A.K. Tolstoy, 1991). In 1891, Rachmaninov graduated from the conservatory with a large gold medal as a pianist, and in 1892 - as a composer. Thesis work Rachmaninov's one-act opera "Aleko" based on Pushkin's poem "Gypsies" (1892, staged at the Bolshoi Theater in 1893).

Tchaikovsky, under whose strong influence the young composer’s creative development took place, had a high opinion of Rachmaninov’s talent. Rachmaninov responded to the death of Tchaikovsky with the Elegiac Trio “In Memory of the Great Artist” for piano, violin and cello (1893). Among other works of the 1890s. notable are the symphonic fantasy “The Cliff” (1893), Musical Moments for piano (6 pieces, 1896) and a number of romances, including such pearls of Russian vocal lyrics as “In the Silence of a Secret Night” to the words of Fet, “Don’t sing, beauty, with me" to the words of Pushkin, " Spring waters"to the words of Tyutchev. From the day of its first performance until our time, the Prelude in C sharp minor for piano (1893) - chronologically the earliest of Rachmaninoff's 24 plays in this genre - has enjoyed exceptional popularity.

In 1895, Rachmaninov composed the First Symphony, the premiere of which, held two years later under the baton of A.K. Glazunov, turned out to be a major failure. According to contemporaries, due to extremely careless performance, the symphony was not properly appreciated; Nevertheless, Rachmaninov took the incident as proof of his own creative insolvency and withdrew from composing music for several years, concentrating on performing activities. In the 1897/98 season, Rachmaninov conducted performances of the Moscow Private Russian Opera. I. Mamontova; At the same time, his international performing career began (Rachmaninoff’s first foreign performance took place in London in 1899). In 1898-1900, Rachmaninov repeatedly performed in an ensemble with F. I. Chaliapin.

1900s
By the early 1900s. Rachmaninov managed to overcome his creative crisis. The decade and a half that followed became the most fruitful in his biography. Rachmaninov's style is deeply rooted in the tradition of Russian music of the 19th century, especially the Moscow movement, the recognized leader of which was Tchaikovsky. This style of the composer finds clear expression in the very first major works of this period - the most popular Second Concerto for Piano and Orchestra and Sonata for Cello and Piano (both 1901).

The cantata “Spring” based on the poems of Nekrasov (1902) is imbued with a joyful, truly spring attitude. Other major instrumental opuses of the 1900s - Symphony No. 2 (1907) and Concerto No. 3 for piano and orchestra (1909), - for all their dramatic richness, also end with an unconditionally “positive” emotional outcome. Against this background, the symphonic poem “Island of the Dead” (1909), inspired by the painting of the same name by the Swiss painter A. Böcklin, popular at the turn of the century, stands out with its gloomy coloring.

In 1904-06, Rachmaninov worked as a conductor of the Bolshoi Theater, where his “specialty” was operas by Russian composers of the 19th century. At the same time, he wrote two one-act operas, which, unlike “Aleko,” did not receive wide recognition: “Francesca da Rimini” to a libretto by M. I. Tchaikovsky based on Dante and “The Miserly Knight” based on Pushkin. Both operas were released in 1906 at the Bolshoi Theater under the direction of the author. The third opera of this period, “Monna Vanna” (based on the play of the same name by M. Maeterlinck) remained unfinished.

In the 1910s Rachmaninov pays considerable attention to large choral forms. His magnificent liturgical compositions - the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (1910) and All-Night Vigil (1915). In 1913, the monumental poem “The Bells” was written based on poems by E. Poe for soloists, choir and orchestra; in its style, this work is associated not so much with Russian examples of the cantata-oratorio genre (Tchaikovsky, Taneyev), but with the vocal-symphonic frescoes of the late Liszt.

Richly and diversely represented in the works of the 1900s-10s. and small forms: romances (including the famous “Lilac” to the words of E. A. Beketova and “It’s good here” to the words of G. Galina, 1902, “Daisies” to the words of I. Severyanin, 1916, and many others), plays for piano (including 2 notebooks of preludes, 1903, 1910, and 2 notebooks of “Etudes-pictures”, 1911, 1916-17). Unlike most other composer-pianists, Rachmaninov did not attach much importance to the genre of the piano sonata: neither of his two works in this genre (1907, 1913) are among the major artistic successes.

Emigration

In December 1917, Rachmaninov went on tour to Scandinavia, from where he never returned to Russia. In 1918, he and his family settled in the USA. For the last 25 years, Rachmaninoff led the life of a traveling virtuoso pianist. Rachmaninov's fame as a pianist, which was quite great even before 1917, soon became truly legendary. His interpretations of his own music and works of romantic composers - Chopin, Schumann, Liszt - enjoyed particular success. Gramophone recordings of Rachmaninov's playing give an idea of his phenomenal technique, sense of form, and exceptionally responsible attitude to detail. Rachmaninov's pianism influenced such outstanding masters piano performance, like V.V. Sofronitsky, V.S. Horowitz, S.T. Richter, E.G. Gilels.

Numerous concert performances did not leave Rachmaninov the strength and time to compose music; The composer’s long-term separation from his homeland also played a role in the decline in creative activity. During the first nine years of emigration, Rachmaninov did not write a single new work; then came Concerto No. 4 for piano and orchestra (started in Russia in the mid-1910s, it was completed in 1926), “Three Russian Songs” for choir and orchestra (1926), Variations on a Theme of Corelli for piano (1931) , Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra (1934), Symphony No. 3 (1935-36) and Symphonic Dances for orchestra (1940). In the last two works, the theme of longing for a lost Russia sounds with particular force.