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 7 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review indicates that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was one of numerous encores given. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 10 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Chopin's Scherzo no. 4 is noted in the attached press clipping, it appears that, as with other venues where this program was played, it was not performed. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, a Chopin waltz, and Liszt's transcription of Chopin's 'Maiden's Wish', are noted as the encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 12 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While the attached press clipping includes Chopin's Scherzo no. 4, which Satina also believed was played, the attached review appears to indicate that it was not performed. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, Chopin's Waltz in E minor, and Liszt's transcription of Chopin's 'Maiden's Wish', are noted as the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 14 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believed that Chopin's Scherzo no. 4 was also played at this recital, however it does not appear on the program, nor is it mentioned in the attached reviews. Two Chopin waltzes, Liszt's transcription of Chopin's 'Maiden's Wish', and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 18 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that the review of this concert she had been sent did not mention the opus number of the Rachmaninoff Etudes-Tableaux, however they perhaps can be assumed given the works played in other concerts of the time. One of the attached review indicates that four encores were played, while another notes the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, as being among them. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 19 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Two works by Chopin are noted as encores in one of the attached reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 20 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 23 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that this program was speculative as the review she had been sent mentioned only ‘7 pieces by Chopin and 4 by Liszt' without further details. Yet the attached review appears to confirm her thoughts. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 25 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 27 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A Chopin waltz, the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, and Liszt's transcription of Chopin's 'Maiden's Wish' are noted as encores in the attached reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 29 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A Chopin waltz and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as among the encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 30 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review indicates that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was the final encore played. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 3 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that this program is speculative: the review she had been sent mentioned only ‘7 pieces by Chopin and 4 by Liszt' without further details. It seems likely she believed it was the same program as in early venues where this program was performed throughout the second half of March, and two nights later in New York. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 5 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review indicates that a 'half dozen' encores were played, however they are not named. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 25 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 28 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that in this concert only 3 Etudes-Tableaux were played, but their keys are not known. The details given here accord with other venues where Rachmaninoff played this program, although it could be that the three were the same as played at The Hague on November 5. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 5 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A review in Algemeen Handelblad on November 6 names the keys of the etudes-tableaux as they appear here, however a review that appeared in Het Vaderland on the same day indicates the second was in the key of G minor, contrary to the printed program. A waltz in A flat major by Chopin is noted as the third encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 8 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that in this concert only three Etudes-Tableaux were played, but their keys are not known. It could be that the program matched that given in The Hague on November 5. The attached review confirms that only 3 were played, but also makes reference to a different work by Liszt (Abendklänge, i.e., Harmonies du soir). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 12 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While five Etudes-Tableaux, op. 33, were programmed, as with other concerts in this season, the attached reviews indicate only three were played. As keys were not given, it is unclear which of those in F minor, E flat minor, E flat major, G minor and C sharp minor, were left out. Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, and his transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak are noted as the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 15 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as the encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 18 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believed that five Etudes-Tabelaux were programmed, however the attached review refers to five Preludes. The second attached press clipping indicates that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was not to be on the program, however there may have been a change of plan. The source for the amusing references about Rachmaninoff's address in the United States and his method of working can only be speculated on. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 19 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The works by Rachmaninoff are not mentioned in the first attached review, despite the reviewer highlighting the composer's music, however in the second review there is a reference to only three being played (it is not known which these were). The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as one of two encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 22 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 25 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While the attached press clipping notes that 5 Etudes-Tableaux were to be played, and a Nocturne by Chopin after the two scherzi, Satina noted that in this concert only 3 Etudes-Tableaux were played while not mentioning the nocturne. Their absence appears to be confirmed by the attached reviews. It could be that the three Etudes-Tableaux that were played align with the program given in The Hague on November 5, or in Antwerp the following day. The third attached review indicates that a Chopin nocturne, Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, his transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak, and Rubinstein's transcription of the Turkish March from Beethoven's Ruins of Athens were given as encores. The second attached review indicates the King and Queen were in attendance. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 26 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The concert hall, also known as the Thèâtre Royal Français, is now known as the Bourla Theatre (Bourlaschouwburg). The second attached review indicates that Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, were among the encores. There may be doubt about which of Rachmaninoff's Etudes-Tableaux were played, as the third attached review notes that the keys did not accord with the printed program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 30 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review refers to scherzi by Schumann, which appears to be a clear error. The attached press clipping notes works by Chopin on the program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 1 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that her program was speculative, writing that ‘we only assume that the same program as in Germany and Zurich was played’. The attached reviews largely confirm the works she believed were played. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 2 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: This program is speculative, as Satina indicates that she had neither a program nor a review. She writes that ‘we only assume that the same program as in Germany and Zurich was played’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 4 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 5 1930
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.