S.V.Rakhmaninov's Private Life
Sergei Vasilievich Rakhmaninov was born in March 20 (April 1), 1873
in the country estate Oneg not far of Novgorod. His father, Vasily Arkadievich, was descended from the Tambov province noble family of the Rakhmaninovs. S.Rakhmaninov's mother Lubov Petrovna was a daughter of Sofia Alexandrovna and Petr Ivanovich Butakov, lived in Novgorod.
The talant for for music was a family trait of the Rakhmaninovs. His
grandfather Arkady Alexandrovich Rakhmaninov was a brilliant pianist, a pupil of J.Field. He performed in the charitable concerts and musical salons of Tambov, Moscow, St.Petersburg. His aptitude for music Sergei V.Rakhmaninov showed in the early childhood. When he was 4 years old his mother began to teach him playing the piano.
In the early 1880s the hard adversities falled upon the family of the
Rakhmaninovs. They sold their estate Oneg and removed to St.Petersburg. In 1882 Sergei V.Rakhmaninov entered St.Petersburg Conservatory but the disagreement in his family hadn't assisted him in his studies and three years later he moved to Moscow Conservatory. The prominent musician, professor N.S.Zverev was his teacher. As a result he succeeded in mastering the program. At that time Rakhmaninov went to the concerts by such brilliant pianists as A.N.Yesipov, A.I.Ziloti, A.G.Rubinstein, acquainted with S.I.Taneyev, V.I.Safonov, P.I.Tchaikovsky. He acquired the ability to work persistently; it helped him later to become a brilliant composer, pianist and conductor. At the end of of 1889 S.Rakhmaninov left N.Zverev for the Satins. Annually he spent summer in the country estate in Ivanovka in the Tambov province, which became his favourite place for rest and creative work forever.
In 1892 S.Rakhmaninov went down from the conservatory with the gold
medal. The one-act opera Aleko was his diploma work. It was staged in the Bolshoi Theatre and later in Kiev where Rakhmaninov performed as a conductor for the first time. The Tchaikovsky's death (October 25, 1893) was a hard blow to him. Under the influence of this event he created the "Trio elegiac" dedicated to the memory of Tchaikovsky.
In 1895-1897 Rakhmaninov created his largest composition the "First
Symphony". But a singularity of the symphony and unsuccessful rendering of it by A.Glazunov led to its flop, which was felt keenly by the composer. In 1899 he underwent a course of medical treatment by a physician-hypnotist N.Dal. It had been considerably improved his health. In spring 1899 he performed abroad for the first time. It was England.
During the early nineteenth century S.Rakhmaninov experienced a powerful
upsurge of the creative energy. The violent growth of his genius talant of a composer, pianist and conductor came at that time. He created new musical compositions, performed on the stages of Vienna, Moscow, St.Petersburg. Since 1904 Rakhmaninov became a bandmaster of the Bolshoi Theatre.
In 1902 Rakhmaninov married off his cousin N.A.Satina and went on the
tours of Italy, Switzerland and Germany. In autumn 1909 he visited America to perform in solo and symphonic concerts for the first time.
In the early 1910s the events, which were about to happen in Russia,
found their reflection in Rakhmaninov's creative work. His compositions became more emotional and complicated.
In 1910 as a joint owner of the country estate in Ivanovka S.Rakhmaninov
indulged in agriculture. His favourite pursuit was a car driving, which he bought in 1912.
The World War I (1914-1918) Rakhmaninov interpreted as the terrible ordeal
for Russia. Since the beginning of the war he took part in the charitable concerts. The October Revolution in 1917 was perceived by the composer with the alarm. He considered his concert activity might end for many years because of the state system breaking in Russia. That is why in December 1917 hitting the road to Sweden with his family, Rakhmaninov had never went back to Russia. Having settled down in Denmark he performed some monthes in Scandinavia. In November 1918 the Rakhmaninovs removed to America and settled down in New-York. The parting with his motherland was such a tragic fact in his biography that he hadn't composed during eight years. Performing in concerts in America and Europe Rakhmaninov attained stable material well-being, but lost his peace of mind.
Since 1924 till 1939 the Rakhmaninovs spent summer in Europe and autumn,
winter and spring in New-York. In 1926 Rakhmaninov resumed his activity and during a year composed the Fourth Concert and three Russian songs for a chorus with the orchestra.
Hard work undermined his health but he hadn't stopped to perform in
concerts. In 1930 Rakhmaninov bought a plot in Switzerland near Lucerne. He named this country-house Senar. It was the reminiscent of Ivanovka. Here Rakhmaninov lived the most fruitful part of his life abroad. In spite of felling ill Rakhmaninov started his last concert season in October, 12, 1942. In February, 17, 1943 Rakhmaninov performed for the last time. He might break off a tour because of the illness. In March, 28, 1943 Sergei V.Rakhmaninov died. He was buried on the Russian cemetry in Kensico.
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