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.
October 19 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unable to find program details for this concert, beyond indicating that Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. The History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 470), citing Naumov, indicates the works listed here. The Moments musicaux are so indicated (i.e., in plural), but it is not clear whether only a few or the complete set of 6 were played. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 21 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unable to find program details for this concert, beyond indicating that Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. The History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 470), citing Naumov, indicates the works listed here. The performance of the Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36, is confirmed through a review in Yuzhnaya Mysl on October 22, which does not name any of the other works played. The first listed 'Prelude' was presumably op. 3, no. 2, although it is not specified. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 22 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert he would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. The Moldovan capital is also known as Kishinev. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 24 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert he would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 25 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert he would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 26 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert he would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 28 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert he would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. When Rachmaninoff performed in this city, it was known as Yekaterinoslav. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 30 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert he would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 31 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. The name of the venue is given as City Theatre in the History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 470), although in other sources it is referred to as Asmolovsky Theatre, acknowledging the philanthropy of Vladimir Asmolov during its construction. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 1 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unable to find details of works played in this concert, however the History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 470), names the Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36, as one of the pieces. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 3 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. When Rachmaninoff played in this city it was known as Ekaterinodar. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 7 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No program details. Satina indicated that in this concert Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. The name of the venue is according to the History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 472). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 9 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina's limited information regarding this concert has been confirmed and expanded through a review in Kavkaz on November 12 (p. 3). The review notes that Rachmaninoff played for a capacity audience with many people turned away, and that he played several of his works as encores. A press notice in Kavkaz on the day of the concert indicates the grand piano was supplied by Bechstein. The Hall of the Society of Artists, also referred to as the 'salon' of Elizabeth Orbeliani, appears to have been her home, known as the Orbeliani Palace. This building is now the official home of the Georgian President, located on Atoneli St in central Tbilisi. The city was known as Tiflis at the time of this concert. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 13 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that in this concert Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. The History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 472), citing Naumov, indicates the program included the Preludes. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 17 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that in this concert Rachmaninoff would have played his own works. In other programs of this time, he frequently played his Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 36. The History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 472), citing Naumov, indicates the program included the Preludes. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 23 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was Alexander Siloti’s 3rd concert of the season, also indicating that it was the first time that the Sonata no. 2, and the Polka de W.R., were heard in St Petersburg. A reference to Apetian is cited, p. 442. A review in the journal of the Russkaya Muzikal'naya Gazeta on December 1 confirms the Sonata, the Barcarolle and Elegy, 'Lilacs' and the Polka de W.R., and notes a collection of Preludes while omitting any reference to the Etudes-Tableaux. The Etudes-Tableaux are included in Barber's biography of Siloti (p. 315), which also includes the Moment musical in 'E minor', op. 16. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 3 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was Alexander Siloti’s 3rd concert of the season. She also indicated that it was the first time that the Second Piano Sonata, and the Polka de W.R., were heard in Moscow. A reference to Apetian is cited, p. 442. Threlfall and Norris claimed that this was the first performance of Rachmaninoff’s Sonata no. 2, however previous dates on this tour for which program details are known indicate this not to be the case. A review by Kurov in Ranneye Utro on December 4, confirms the Sonata, the Barcarolle and Elegy, and the order of the program, without providing specific details of the Etudes-Tableaux and Preludes that were played, while a review by Engel in Russkiye Vedomosti on December 5 names the Prelude in G minor, op. 23, no. 5, noting also that the Barcarolle was played twice. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 8 1913 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that the proceeds from this recital were given ‘to the needy Students of Moscow Women’s College’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 10 1914 (Julian Calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist and Solo Pianist
Notes: Apetian indicated that Rachmaninoff played some of his preludes and etudes-tableaux at this concert, but did not know which. Keldysh (p. 348) believed that Rachmaninoff's Concerto no. 2 was performed at this concert, however the performance of op. 30 is confirmed in the History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 476). A note to letter 495 in Literaturnoye nasledie (vol. 2, p. 398) confirms op. 30, also stating that 'three etudes-tableaux' from op. 33, 'Lilacs', Barcarolle, op. 10, no. 3, and Polka de W.R. were played as solos. The order of the program is according to Rachmaninoff's letter to Zataevich (no. 495), which indicates 'solos' would be played after The Rock, op. 7, making it unclear whether the listed piano pieces were programmed, or whether all were given as encores (as the note to the letter appears to indicate). In the Gregorian Calendar, this date was January 23. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 27 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist and Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that this was a concert of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society, and was aware only of the performance of Rachmaninoff's concerto, which she mistakenly believed was the Third Concerto, op. 30. The further details are according to the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 28 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina provided an insight into Rachmaninoff when she observed the following: ‘in S. Rachmaninoff book it is written that he played January 15, 1914. Mr J. Tillett writes to S.S. that the concert was given January 28. It is correct in both cases, S.R. used apparently the date according to the old calendar’. Satina also notes that it was a recital arranged ‘by the Gentlemen’s Concerts’. This was a 'mixed' concert, at which Esta D'Argo also sang a selection of songs with the accompaniment of R.J. Forbes. The attached reviews indicate that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was played, presumably as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 29 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist and Solo Pianist
Notes: While Mottl's transcription of two movements from Rameau's Concerto in G minor for orchestra alone is not mentioned in the attached reviews, the Hallé Orchestra archive indicates that it was performed. There is discrepancy about which Preludes by Rachmaninoff were played, with the attached press clipping being at odds with the first attached review; the keys and order of the works are given according to the review. The Polka de W.R. is noted as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 30 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that this was the 6th concert of the Bradford subscription series season, although she did not note that it was a mixed concert with others performing. The second attached review indicates that the Sonata in D minor, op. 28, was performed, and not the one in B flat minor, yet in giving the tempo indications mainly names those of the later work. There is no apparent reason for this confusion, and the first attached review refers to the program as it appears here. Satina noted the first Prelude as being in E major, however the first review indicates that the one in C sharp minor was substituted for it. The Melody, op. 3, no. 3, was given as an encore. Correspondence from Rachmaninoff to his English agents, Ibbs and Tillett, regarding this concert indicate that he had agreed to play his Cello Sonata at this concert, which ultimately did not occur (Fifield, p. 535). The images of the Bradford Daily Argus and the Bradford Daily Telegraph are used with kind permission of The British Library Board. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 1 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist and Solo Pianist
Notes: The image of the Westminster Gazette is used with kind permission of The British Library Board. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 3 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unable to find program details for this concert, however they can reconstructed from the attached review. The exact order of the program is not known. The Polka de W.R. and a 'delightfully Chopinesque waltz' are noted as encores from Rachmaninoff. The images of the Sheffield Independent and the Sheffield Daily Telegraph are used with kind permission of The British Library Board. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 4 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina was unable to find program details, a press announcement in the Nottingham Daily Express indicates the concert was likely the same as the concert the previous day in Sheffield, with the same artists performing. The works by Rachmaninoff are noted in the announcement. The attached press clipping (under response to 'G. W. M.') indicates that Rachmaninoff played the Polka de W.R. and the Prelude in G flat major, op. 23, no. 10, as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 9 1914
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina had no details for this concert, the program has been partially reconstructed from the attached reviews. The Polka de W.R. was given as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 17 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. The name of the venue is according to the History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 494), which, however, states that it was an all-Scriabin program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 20 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. About the program at this concert, Keldysh (p. 402) included the Second and Fifth Sonatas, the Satanic Poem, 10 preludes from op. 11, and etudes from op. 8 and op. 42. The programs from later in the season in Moscow and St Petersburg, as supplied by Satina, agree in these details but add further works by Scriabin (although she did not include etudes from op. 8). The name of the venue is according to the History of Russian Music (vol. 10V, book 2, p. 494). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 24 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.