Biography of Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov

Brief biography of Sergei Rachmaninov

Rachmaninov Sergei Vasilievich - an outstanding Russian composer, conductor and pianist;
representative of the St. Petersburg and Moscow composer schools; founder of his original musical style. Born on April 1, 1873 in the Starorussky district of the Novgorod province on a family estate. Sergei's parents came from the nobility, his grandfather was a talented musician. Previously, the future composer spent his childhood on the Oneg estate, which instilled in him a lifelong love for the poetics of Russian nature. He often heard Russians, visited Novgorod monasteries with his grandmother, so the theme of the homeland was embodied with particular force in his work. In general, his style was characterized by romantic pathos combined with lyrical and contemplative moods. Sergei's passion for music manifested itself very early. At the age of nine he studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. When he moved to Moscow and entered the N. S. Zverev Conservatory, he was lucky enough to meet P. I. Tchaikovsky. The experienced composer quickly noticed the hidden talent in the young talent and predicted a great future for him.

Rachmaninov, in fact, had perfect hearing and perfect memory. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatory with flying colors. At the final exam, he presented the opera “Aleko”, which he wrote in a matter of days. Among his outstanding works are the symphonic fantasy “The Cliff”, concerto No. 1 for piano and orchestra, the elegiac trio on the death of Tchaikovsky and many other works. In 1897, he conducted the private opera of Savva Mamontov, and two years later his first foreign tour took place. He was lucky enough to perform with F. Chaliapin.

In 1900, having overcome a creative crisis, he entered a long period of fruitful period. Since 1904, Sergei Vasilyevich worked as a conductor at the Bolshoi Theater. During this period, one-bar operas “The Miserly Knight” and “Francesca da Rimini”, major instrumental opuses and concertos for piano, and a cello sonata were written. From 1906 he performed in Dresden for three winters in a row. His biography also included working periods in Germany, Italy and England, and in 1909 he performed for the first time in the USA. The composer greeted the February Revolution joyfully, but the October events rather put him on guard.

At the end of 1917, he went on tour to Scandinavia, and from there to the United States, and never returned to Russia. Numerous concerts and performances did not leave him time to compose new works, but he successfully interpreted the works of other romantic composers in his own way. In the first 10 years of emigration, he wrote nothing new. Then came the 4th piano concerto, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, “Three Russian Songs” for choir and symphony orchestra. The great composer died in March 1943 in the USA.

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Biography

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov was born on the Semenovo estate (Novgorod) on March 20, 1873. He was the sixth child in the family. The family soon moved to St. Petersburg, where the parents of the future pianist divorced. At the age of four, Rachmaninov received his first piano lesson from his mother. Then one of the conservatory graduates began to study with the boy. Sergei’s father was not a certified musician, but he often performed popular melodies at friendly evenings. Sergei Vasilievich has been interested in music since childhood. He attended the conservatory in St. Petersburg, where, along with piano lessons, he studied music theory and general education subjects. During the final exams, Rachmaninov failed to successfully pass general subjects. The guy was deprived of his scholarship, and he left the conservatory. Later, his relative, the famous pianist Alexander Ziloti, invited Sergei Vasilyevich to attend the classes of piano teacher N. S. Zverev at the Moscow Conservatory. Taking a small amount of money, Sergei Rachmaninov went to the capital. Later he moved to the class of Alexander Ziloti. In the spring of 1981, he passed his final exams brilliantly. After some time, his first opera “Aleko” appeared, the performance of which at the Bolshoi Theater brought the young composer fame in certain circles and offers of cooperation. Before “Aleko,” the pianist composed the 1st piano concerto in F sharp minor. At the beginning of 1982, he played the title sentence at one of the concerts of the conservatory, causing great delight among the audience. Having learned the taste of fame, Sergei Vasilyevich switched to a rather wasteful lifestyle, which soon depleted all his reserves. Despite the fact that the composer's Moscow publisher published everything that Rachmaninov composed, his financial problems continued to worsen. He tried to teach piano, but soon abandoned this idea. Sergei Vasilyevich did not like traveling, so he interrupted his tour of Russian cities, despite the potential profit. After some time, his 1st symphony failed with the public and critics. Later, the orchestra's conductor Glazunov admitted that he was not an admirer of Rachmaninov's work and directed the performance of the work while drunk. In 1901 he finished work on the Second Piano Concerto. In April 1902, the pianist married his cousin Natalya Alexandrovna Zatina. Rachmaninov’s wife graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in piano, and, understanding her husband perfectly, supported him in his desire to develop. In his marriage to Natalya Alexandrovna, Rachmaninov had two daughters. In 1904, he took the position of conductor at the Bolshoi Theater, and remained there for two years. He soon left Russia and lived with his family in Germany and the USA. In subsequent years I composed a lot. Rachmaninov's concertos were increasingly successful, but it seemed to him that the American public perceived him as the composer of the only great work. In 1909 he composed the Third Piano Concerto. In 1918, he performed for the first time in Copenhagen, where he presented his Second Concerto with conductor Heeberg. In the fall of 1918, he moved with his family to New York. Until 1926, he was in a creative crisis, without writing any significant works. New works appeared in 1926-1927: the Fourth Concert, as well as “Three Russian Songs”. During his creative activity he created 6 works that were ranked among the pinnacles of world and Russian music. Sergei Rachmaninov chose the USA as his place of residence for himself and his family. He was recognized as one of the greatest pianists of his era. In 1941 he wrote his last work, “Symphonic Dances.” He passed away on March 28, 1943 in Beverly Hills.

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S. V. Rachmaninov briefly for children

The article is devoted to a brief biography of Rachmaninov, the famous Russian composer, performer and conductor.

Biography of Rachmaninov before emigrationpp. V. Rachmaninov was born in 1873 near Novgorod. The future composer spent his childhood on a family estate, where he was able to become closely acquainted with simple village life. The beauty of Russian nature was forever deposited in Rachmaninov’s soul. He became seriously interested in simple folk art, primarily songs. Rachmaninov’s family was very musical, and his parents instilled a love of music in the boy. From early childhood he played the piano. Rachmaninov showed great talent. The family moved to St. Petersburg, where the boy was sent to study at the conservatory. Rachmaninov stood out among other students for his abilities. Noticing this, Rachmaninov's brother takes him to the Moscow Conservatory, where the young composer met Tchaikovsky, who predicted a great future for Rachmaninov. In 1892, Rachmaninov graduated from the conservatory with two specialties (composer and performer), for which he was awarded a large gold medal. Rachmaninov’s examination work, the opera “Aleko,” was presented at the Bolshoi Theater a year later. Essentially a student's work, it was highly appreciated by leading music critics and ordinary spectators. Of particular importance for the young composer was the positive characterization of the opera by Tchaikovsky, who then, until the end of his life, patronized Rachmaninov in every possible way. The composer continued his musical work, he wrote the fantasy “The Cliff”, a number of romances, and other works. In 1895, Rachmaninov wrote his first symphony. Two years later it was executed, but failed. There is an opinion that she was simply not understood. According to other sources, the symphony was performed unsuccessfully because of the conductor. One way or another, the fiasco greatly influenced Rachmaninov, who had high hopes for the symphony. He falls into a creative crisis and even undergoes a course of psychiatric treatment. In 1900, Rachmaninov resumed his composing activities. Creative growth is accompanied by success in his personal life: the composer finds his other half - N. A. Satina. The successful performance of his last works opens up a source of new strength for Rachmaninov. In 1901, he wrote one of his best works, the Second Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. This marks the beginning of a new stage in the composer’s creative rise. He writes a large number of beautiful works, including successful symphonic works. At the same time, Rachmaninov’s active work as a performer and as a conductor began. He makes constant concert trips both in Russia and abroad. Contemporaries call him the greatest pianist of his time, distinguished by his unique style of performance. The composer became the author of a large number of works written for piano. In them, he continued the best traditions of the Russian musical school, making extensive use of folk elements. Biography of Rachmaninov in exile Rachmaninov did not accept the October Revolution. At the end of 1917 he was invited to perform concerts in Denmark. Taking his family with him, the composer did not return to his homeland, which he later bitterly regretted. Rachmaninov lived in Denmark for some time, making concert tours. Then he moved to the USA and devoted his life entirely to concert activities. In America, Rachmaninov enjoyed wild success, perhaps the greatest success that could accrue to a performer from another country. Rachmaninov’s attitude towards the Soviet regime remained purely negative. But during the Second World War, many political emigrants again turned their attention to their homeland, which was in mortal danger. Rachmaninov was also deeply worried about the fate of his people. Having held a number of major concerts, he sent all the money he earned to the Soviet Army Fund. Rachmaninov was on his next concert tour when he suffered an acute attack of a special form of cancer. The composer died in 1943, not having lived to see the victory over Nazi Germany. Rachmaninov’s life passed against the backdrop of great historical events. He witnessed two world wars and a revolution in Russia. Having emigrated in accordance with his political convictions, the composer remained a Russian man at heart until the end of his life, selflessly devoted to his homeland.

Emigration and success

After the revolution of 1917, Rachmaninov had to leave Russia. He left everything here and left with debts. The revolution became a tragedy for the Rachmaninov family. Sergei Vasilievich continued to play and give concerts. He was loved by European audiences and highly regarded in America. The great composer and musician himself had a hard time with forced emigration. He wrote that he lost himself when he left.

“After leaving Russia, I lost the desire to compose. Having lost my homeland, I lost myself...”

In 1926 he began work on the Fourth Concerto and Russian songs. Despite his attitude towards Soviet power, Rachmaninov was homesick. One of Rachmaninov’s last works was “Symphonic Dances,” critics also call it the composer’s best work. Rachmaninov performed until the very end. He gave his final concert 6 weeks before his death. The composer died in 1943, only a few days short of his 70th birthday. He is buried in a New York cemetery next to the graves of his wife and daughter.

Composers Biography of Rachmaninoff

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov was born on April 1 (March 20), 1873 in the Semenovo estate, Starorussky district, Novgorod province. Rachmaninov's father, Vasily Arkadyevich, was a retired officer of the Grodno hussar regiment. The composer's mother, Lyubov Petrovna, was the daughter of General Butakov. Sergei Rachmaninov began studying music at the age of four. His first instrument is the piano. First, classes are held under the guidance of Lyubov Petrovna, then a friend of the parents, A.D., is invited for these purposes. Ornatskaya. The beginning of the 1880s - the Rachmaninov family is becoming poorer before our eyes. The father fails to competently manage either his own property or his wife’s rich dowry. They sell their last estate and move to St. Petersburg. 1882 - Sergei Rachmaninov enters the junior piano department of the St. Petersburg Conservatory

Studying doesn't matter. 1885 - Rachmaninov is transferred to the Moscow Conservatory, and sent to be raised in a private boarding school of the conservatory professor N.S.

Zvereva. He introduces the future composer to the circle of famous musicians of his time. Thanks to Zverev, Rachmaninov meets P.I. Tchaikovsky, whose friendship he values very much. January 30, 1892 - Sergei Rachmaninov gives his first independent concert, performing not only as a pianist, but also as a composer of music. May 29, 1892 - Rachmaninov graduates from the conservatory with a large gold medal. In the Small Hall of the Conservatory, his name is written on a marble plaque in gold letters. The same year, the opera “Aleko” (Rachmaninov’s diploma work, written based on A.S. Pushkin’s poem “Gypsies”) was staged at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, and after some time in Kyiv, where the author of the music himself conducted the orchestra. October 25, 1893 - P.I. dies. Chaikovsky. For Rachmaninov this is a huge loss. He dedicates the Elegiac Trio to the memory of the composer. 1894 - Rachmaninov begins teaching at the Mariinsky Women's School and the Elisabeth Institute. 1897 - The First Symphony was written. The audience does not accept it due to the unsuccessful performance of A.K. Glazunov. The author is very upset by the failure and stops writing music for several years. Only with the help of a psychiatrist does he manage to survive a creative crisis. The same year - Rachmaninov becomes the second conductor of the S.I. Opera Theater. Mamontova. 1899 – Sergei Rachmaninov’s first tour abroad (England). 1901 – The Second Piano Concerto was written. 1902 - marriage to cousin Natalya Satina. March 14, 1903 - birth of daughter Irina. 1904 – position of conductor of the Bolshoi Theater. 1905 - after the revolution, Sergei Rachmaninov writes several articles on the topic of supporting reforms. 1906 - 1909 - the Rachmaninov family lives for six months in Dresden and in Russia, on the family estate Ivanovka. Throughout the entire period, Rachmaninov wrote music, occasionally giving concerts. June 21, 1907 – birth of daughter Tatyana. Autumn 1909 - first tour in the USA. World War I - Sergei Rachmaninov constantly participates in charity concerts. Organizes a series of concerts in memory of A.N. Scriabin. December 1917 - the composer and his family go on tour to Sweden. He never returns to Russia. After several months of Scandinavian touring, the family stops in Denmark. November 1918 - Rachmaninov takes his family to the USA, they remain to live in New York. 1926 - resumption of composing activity, interrupted by emigration. Rachmaninov writes the fourth concerto and “three Russian songs” for choir and orchestra. Spring 1934 - Rachmaninov acquires an estate in Switzerland, which it was decided to call “Senar” (Sergei and Natalya Rachmaninov). Here the composer spends several years, after which he returns to New York. 1941 - having learned about the German attack on the USSR, Rachmaninov holds a charity concert in New York and transfers all proceeds to the USSR Defense Fund with the words: “From one of the Russians, all possible assistance to the Russian people in their fight against the enemy. I want to believe, I believe in complete victory.” October 1942 – the beginning of the composer’s last concert tour. March 28, 1943 - Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov dies. He was buried in the Russian cemetery in Kensico, near New York.

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