TOUCH 2015 INSTALMENT #1: The Life of Sergei Rachmaninov
- Chu Lee Voon
- Feb 2, 2015
- 2 min read
In conjunction with NUSPE’s annual flagship concert, Touch 2015, we will be sharing a series of articles leading up to the performance. The topic of these articles may be related to the composers or even specific pieces showcased in our concert. Welcome to the first piece of the series!
The Life of Sergei Rachmaninov
Today’s article will be a short introduction to the tumultuous life of a prolific and arguably popular Russian composer, conductor and pianist, Sergei Rachmaninov (1875 – 1943). For many of us, upon mention of his name, the pieces that come to mind are his piano concertos 2 and 3, and the 24 preludes he had written in all the major and minor keys. Behind these rich harmonies and long melodic lines that pull at our heartstrings lies the soul of a man who has been through numerous ups and downs in life.
Rachmaninov was born to a family of aristocratic heritage. Exposed to music by his mother at the tender age of 4, he had his first music teacher at age 7, and subsequently enrolled in the St Petersburg Conservatory at age 10. His years of music education finally saw him passing his final examination with honours at age 16 from the Moscow Conservatory.
While we may perceive a prized composer’s life to be all fame and riches, it was certainly not smooth-sailing for young Rachmaninov. In 1897, he experienced his first major setback – the premiere of his First Symphony, Op. 13 (which was composed in 1896) was faced with derogatory criticism and flak. Some nationalist critiques even described the work as one that could only be admired by “inmates” of a music conservatory in hell. To make matters worse, his engagement to his cousin was strongly opposed by both the Russian Orthodox Church and her parents. This was a huge blow for Rachmaninov, who fell into a period of depression for 3 years.
With the counsel and support from psychologist and friend Nikolai Dahl, Rachmaninov eventually regained his confidence and later composed his Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 in 1901. He dedicated this work to Dahl, and premiered it as the soloist.
Has this piqued your interest in Rachmaninov? Do have a listen to his works! --> Rachmaninov plays his piano concerto No. 2.
For our concert, we will be performing a two-piano work: Movt III, Romance from his Suite No. 2. See you there!
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