Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor, known for his romantic compositions and technically challenging piano works. Born in Semyonovo, Russia, Rachmaninoff's early life was marked by tragedy; his sister died when he was only nine, and his father's financial mismanagement led to the family's impoverishment, which forced Rachmaninoff to study music more seriously to support himself.
Initially, Rachmaninoff studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory but soon transferred to the Moscow Conservatory where he studied under Nikolai Zverev, a strict but influential teacher, alongside other notable musicians like Alexander Scriabin. His early works, including his first piano concerto, showed promise but also received criticism, affecting him deeply.
Rachmaninoff suffered from bouts of depression, particularly after the disastrous premiere of his first symphony in 1897. This led to a period of creative block, from which he recovered with the help of hypnotherapy from Nikolai Dahl, dedicating his Piano Concerto No. 2 to him.
After the Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff left Russia in 1917, eventually settling in the United States. He became a celebrated concert pianist, though this left him less time for composition. His later works, like the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, reflect both his technical prowess and compositional maturity.
Rachmaninoff's music is characterized by its rich harmonic texture, lyricism, and the integration of Russian folk melodies. He was not only a composer but also a significant interpreter of his own and others' works, contributing to the piano literature with his transcriptions and arrangements. His legacy is preserved through recordings and the continued performance of his music worldwide.