Composer of the Week: Rachmaninov

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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Rachmaninov in America: In America: Earning a Living

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

In America: Earning a Living

Rachmaninov in America

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Rachmaninov in America, In America: Earning a Living

Donald Macleod follows his Rachmaninov's progress in the US.

After the 1917 Revolution, Rachmaninov fled to the US. Donald Macleod follows his progress as the composer adjusted to life as a New York-based concert pianist.

Reluctant even to visit at first, and once there always more than a little homesick, this proudly Russian composer in fact lived in the United States of America for 25 years, from the end of the First World War until his death in 1943. His life there was principally that of a virtuoso performer, not a composer; and Rachmaninov gave recitals for presidents, recorded discs for Thomas Edison, and felt obliged to rattle off his “hated” Prelude in C sharp minor for concert audiences wherever he went.

Today, Donald Macleod finds out how Rachmaninov adjusted to life in New York. Fleeing extreme socialism, he quickly encountered extreme capitalism: greeted on arrival by a succession of celebrated artists and reporters, the composer was wooed by record companies and piano manufacturers eager for his endorsement.

Prelude in C sharp minor
Sergei Rachmaninov, piano

Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor, 1st movement
Krystian Zimerman, piano
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa, conductor

Polichinelle in F sharp minor, Op 3 No 4
Sergei Rachmaninov, piano

Lento a capriccio (The Bells)
BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Yevgeny Svetlanov, conductor

Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 in C sharp minor (Liszt, arr. Rachmaninov)
Sergei Rachmaninov, piano

Liebeslied (arr. for piano)
Sergei Rachmaninov, piano

Produced by Dominic Jewel for BBC Wales

Composer of the Week: Rachmaninov in America

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod follows Rachmaninov's career after he left Russia to settle in the US.

After the 1917 Revolution, Rachmaninov fled to the US where he settled and stayed for the rest of his life. Donald Macleod follows his progress.

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