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Rachmaninov, Sergey
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Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Russian: ?????? ?????????? ??????????, Sergej Vasil’evi? Rahmaninov, April 1, 1873 (N.S.) or March 20, 1873 (O.S.) ? March 28, 1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. (“Sergei Rachmaninoff” was the spelling the composer himself used while living in the West throughout the latter half of his life, including when he became a United States citizen. However, alternative transliterations of his name include Sergey or Serge, and Rachmaninov, Rachmaninow, Rakhmaninov or Rakhmaninoff.)
Rachmaninov is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. He had legendary technical facilities and rhythmic drive, and his large hands were able to cover the interval of a thirteenth on the keyboard (a hand span of approximately twelve inches). His large handspan roughly corresponded with his height; Rachmaninov was 6 feet 6 inches (1.98m) tall according to sources. He also had the ability to play complex compositions upon first hearing. Many recordings were made by the Victor Talking Machine Company recording label of Rachmaninov’s performing his own music, as well as works from the standard repertory.
His reputation as a composer, on the other hand, has generated controversy since his death. The 1954 edition of Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians notoriously dismissed his music as “monotonous in texture … consist mainly of artificial and gushing tunes …” and predicted that his popular success was “not likely to last”. [1] To this, Harold C. |
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Genre(s):
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New Age
Classical
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