Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor and is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music. Rachmaninoff’s music is known for its complexity and the rich melodies that take audiences on a journey of soaring, expansive emotions. His various piano concertos bear testament to a mastery and knowledge of that instrument’s nuances that puts him among the greatest artists in classical music. He didn’t have that one distinctive piece that makes a connection to his music easy, such as Ludwig von Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5,” Pyotr Illich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” or Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.” Rachmaninoff’s signature piece, his “Piano Concerto No. 2,” is considered the greatest piano concerto ever written—an intense display of piano virtuosity that illustrates the composer’s depth and breadth better than anything in his repertoire. His early fame came with the Prelude in C-sharp Minor, but his first symphony's failure in 1897 led to a deep depression and creative crisis. He eventually recovered and made a triumphant return with his Piano Concerto No. 2, which remains one of his most beloved works. Rachmaninoff became internationally known for his virtuosic piano playing and deeply expressive compositions, including the Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphony No. 2, and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. After leaving Russia due to the 1917 Revolution, he settled in the United States, where he focused more on performance and conducting, composing less frequently. His final major work, Symphonic Dances, reflects a nostalgic and reflective tone.