Solo Pianist - Diary entries
Many of the initial performance details listed here were compiled from Zarui Apetian’s important research, published in Literaturnoye Nasledie [Collected Literature] (Sovietskii Kompozitor: Moscow, 1980, vol. 3, pp. 439-467). These details have been subsequently cross-referenced and checked with the many itineraries and other corroborating materials, especially substantial research that identified precise program details, collected by Rachmaninoff’s sister-in-law, Sophia Satina, housed in the Rachmaninoff Archive of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C (LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R22, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89). Further information has been gathered from Barrie Martyn’s book Rachmaninoff: Composer, Pianist, Conductor (Scolar Press: London, 1990), A Catalogue of the Compositions of S. Rachmaninoff by Robert Threlfall and Geoffrey Norris (Scolar Press: London, 1982), and research undertaken at the Glinka Museum of Musical Culture, Moscow.
March 10 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that Rachmaninoff also played one of his Preludes in this concert, which is confirmed by the attached press clipping. No keys were given for the Etudes-Tableaux on the program, but she presumed them to have been the same as for other locations where Rachmaninoff performed this program. She believed that two Strauss-Tausig transcriptions closed the concert, yet is presumed that Wahlstimmen was not played. Chopin's Waltz in C sharp minor, op. 64, no. 2, and Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted among the encores in the second attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 11 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believed that there were two Strauss-Tausig works at the end of the concert, however the reviews note only one. It is likely that the other - Wahlstimmen - was not performed. A Chopin waltz and Rachmaninoff's transcription of the Minuet from Bizet's L'Arlesienne are noted as the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 15 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina was unable to ascertain any details about this recital, it can be reconstructed from the attached review. The program appears almost identical to that given a few days earlier in Vancouver and in other places at the time. It might be presumed that the Etudes-Tableaux were the same, and that, if so, the unidentified 'A minor' from op. 39 in other programs was no. 6 ('... a feminine treble and a threatening and brutal bass...') and not no. 2. The attached press clipping appears to be unreliable in regard to program (the review specifically states that Rachmaninoff did not play his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2), and in regard to the direction of his tour (he was heading back east). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 24 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 27 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that no keys were given for the Etudes-Tableaux on the program, but she has presumed them to have been the same as for other locations where Rachmaninoff performed this program. Two of the attached reviews indicate that two works by Medtner were performed. The encores are noted as a Chopin waltz, 'an arrangement of a Schubert song', the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, and Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 30 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this concert was ‘by invitation’. She believes that the Waltz by Strauss-Tausig was ‘Man lebt nur einmal’, but it may have been ‘Wahlstimmen’ as this was also in Rachmaninoff’s repertory at the time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 2 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review mentions only a single Strauss-Tausig waltz, although it indicates there were 'many encores'. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 3 1927
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review only mentions one waltz by Strauss-Tausig. In describing the encores, the review highlights 'familiar nocturnes, waltzes and ballades by Chopin'. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 18 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Three encores are noted in the attached review, but their details are not given. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 23 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review indicates that a further Nocturne by Chopin was played as an encore at the end of the bracket. The final encores are noted as the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, and a polka (presumably the Polka de W.R.) LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 27 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 29 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 2 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: From the comment in the attached review, it is conceivable that the Prelude in G major, op. 32, no. 5, which Rachmaninoff played in other iterations of the same program, was played. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 3 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No review of this concert has yet been located, yet two press clippings are attached. In the first, it notes Rachmaninoff being inconvenienced by the sudden closure of the Pabst Theater, where he had played previously; while in the other it refers to the concert taking place in the Davidson Theater. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 5 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 8 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 9 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A Chopin Nocturne in E flat major (likely op. 9, no. 2) and Liszt's Valse oubliée are noted as the encores. Satina was unaware which Prelude by Rachmaninoff was played, but its key is taken from the second attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 10 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 15 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 16 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The first attached review notes the Andante spianato which accompanies Chopin's Grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, as seeming to be within the program, however the second review appears to indicate it was played as an encore. Two Chopin waltzes (one in A flat major) are noted as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 18 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina uses the word ‘apparently’ when indicating Rachmaninoff played the Prelude in G major, op. 32, no. 5, however it is confirmed in the review from the New York Times. In a later concert, Rachmaninoff played the Andante spianato before the Grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, but it does not appear to have been included at this concert. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted among 'half a dozen' encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 20 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: In her notes, Satina later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude for three recitals in Canada at this time, however the second attached review clearly indicates that it was op. 25, no. 1. Similarly, the other etude that Satina believed was played - op. 10, no. 1 - was in fact op. 25, no. 7. While two of Rachmaninoff's Etudes-Tableaux appear to have been advertised, the second piece was the Prelude in C sharp minor. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 21 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: In her notes, Satina later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude for three recitals in Canada at this time. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as the third and final encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 26 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: In her notes, Satina later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude for three recitals in Canada at this time. Yet the attached review indicates that the Etude in C minor, op. 25, no. 12, was played. According to the review, it appears the Medtner might have been played before the Chopin etudes. The Valse brillante of Chopin, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 27 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Conflicting information about the works on this program is evident in the attached press clippings. Taking the first attached review as definitive, primarily as it also lists the program separately, the works presented here differ to those assembled by Satina. Of note is Rachmaninoff's playing of Chopin's Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, which authors, such as Martyn (p. 421), have not included in his repertoire. Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, op. 9, no. 2, Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak and his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, along with a Chopin waltz, are noted as the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 29 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unsure whether this concert occurred on February 28 or February 29, a view perhaps compounded by the proximity to the recording with Kreisler, however the attached review confirms the date. Satina was unaware of a second Polonaise by Chopin on the program: referred to in the review as E flat major, this was presumably the Grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, as it was played in Brooklyn on February 27. It is not clear if the Andante spianato which precedes it was also played. Chopin's Nocturne in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, is noted among the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 2 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, op. 9, no. 2, Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as the encores in the first attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 5 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 7 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina doubted that the two Chopin etudes were included in the program at this venue, although the attached review appears to indicate they were performed. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 12 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.