Sergei Rachmaninoff Research Paper

Sergei Vassilievich Rachmaninoff was born on April 1st, 1873 in Semyonovo, Russia on an estate owned by his grandparents that bordered Lak Ilmen. Sergei was born into an experienced military family. His grandmother, Arkady, was a retired army general and a cadet school teacher, his father, Vasily, a retired army officer, and his mother, Lubov, the daughter of an army general. Sergei also had two sisters, Yelena and Sofia. Both of Sergei’s parents were amateur pianists, and at a young age it was his mother who gave him his first lessons. After realizing their son was talented, they hired Anna Ornatskaya, a St. Petersburg musician who would give Sergei lessons for the next three years. These expensive lessons ended when his father caused massive financial debts for their family, ultimately leading to their last estate, Oneg, to be sold at an auction in 1882. To get away from Semyonovo, the Rachmaninoff’s moved to St. Petersburg where Sergei was granted a scholarship by the local conservatory. Unfortunately, harsh times
His success took off from there as his Piano Concerto 1 and Prelude in C-Sharp minor for the piano became popular as well. After his short case of depression, Sergei wrote what was to be known as the most beloved concerto in western music, Piano Concerto 2. In 1909, Sergei wrote Isle of the Dead, a tone poem based on a painting by Arnold Bocklin. Also in 1909, Piano Concerto 3 was written as specifically for his new tour in the United States. This concerto laid the foundation for his 25-year music career in the United States. During his short second stint in Moscow, Sergei wrote The Bells in 1913, a choral symphony based on a poem by Edgar Allen Poe. Later in 1934, Sergei finished what was to become his most beloved piece of all, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. This piece was to be played on the piano and with an