Sergei Rachmaninov
March 31, 2009
Tomorrow is the 136th anniversary of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov’s day of birth. Radio WRTI is celebrating with a 12-hour marathon of the Rusky ex-pat’s crystal-clear texture and elegant yet strong phrasing.
Rachmaninov is best known for his Prelude in C-sharp minor, which he composed at age 19. He lost his land during the Bolshevik revolution and subsequently fled Russia for the United States, though he was consoled by an estate he managed to buy in Switzerland. He died in 1943, and his wish to be buried at his Swiss estate could never be fulfilled because of the ravages of the Second World War.
Rachmaninov on Rachmaninov, Prelude in C-sharp Minor.
Rachmaninov on Chopin, Nocturne in E-flat.
Mr. Rachmaninov's Neighborhood
April 13, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Rachmaninov made great romantic music at a time when the misfits of the 20th century were starting to write atonal, 12 tone serialist noise. Some critics didn’t take his music seriously at the time because melody was supposedly out of fashion.
I’m glad his music is still performed.
Yes, he does resemble Mr. Rogers.