Sergei Rachmaninoff: A Lifetime in Music

Description

Throughout his career as composer, conductor, and pianist, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was an intensely private individual. When Bertensson and Leyda’s 1956 biography appeared, it lifted the veil of secrecy from several areas of Rachmaninoff’s life, especially concerning the genesis of his compositions and how their critical reception affected him. The authors consulted a number of people who knew Rachmaninoff, who worked with him, and who corresponded with him. Even with the availability of such sources and full access to the Rachmaninoff Archive at the Library of Congress, Bertensson and Leyda were tireless in their pursuit of privately held documents, particularly correspondence. The wonderfully engaging product of their labors masterfully incorporates primary materials into the narrative. Almost half a century after it first appeared, this volume remains essential reading. Sergei Bertensson, who knew Rachmaninoff, published other works on music and film, often with a documentary emphasis. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ILLUSTRATIONS PROLOGUE PART I ---- Chapter 01 - Zverev and his cubs ---- Chapter 02 - A new family ---- Chapter 03 - Aleko and "free artist" ---- Chapter 04 - Deaths and failure ---- Chapter 05 - Second concerto ---- Chapter 06 - Imperial theater ---- Chapter 07 - Operas and projects ---- Chapter 08 - Dresden ---- Chapter 09 - Europe ---- Chapter 10 - First American tour ---- Chapter 11 - "Re" and The bells ---- Chapter 12 - War and Night vigil PART II ---- Chapter 13 - Virtuoso ---- Chapter 14 - Ties with Russia ---- Chapter 15 - The composer resumes ---- Chapter 16 - Work and rest ---- Chapter 17 - Exile reinforced ---- Chapter 18 - Senar and Rapsodie ---- Chapter 19 - The "Russian" symphony ---- Chapter 20 - The composer rebuffed ---- Chapter 21 - Retreat from Europe ---- Chapter 22 - Symphonic dances ---- Chapter 23 - California NOTES AND APPENDICES ---- Notes on the text ---- Appendix 1 - Works ---- Appendix 2 - Rachmaninoff's work on records REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHERS