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 18 1918
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 8 1918
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that in Providence a program misprint had stated that the Chopin Nocturne was in A minor. She also notes that this was Rachmaninoff’s first appearance in the USA since 1910. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 15 1918
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that the concert began with ‘the American Hymn’ ('The Star-Spangled Banner'). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89. Review: Boston Herald 1918.12.16 p. 11.
December 16 1918
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 17 1918
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 21 1918
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The concert began at 2.30pm. The attached review notes that Beethoven's Scherzo from the Sonata in E flat major, op. 31, no. 3, was given as an encore after the Sonata. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 4 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review notes that Rachmaninoff played the Scherzo from Beethoven's Sonata in E flat major, op. 31, no. 3, as an encore after the Beethoven Sonata. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 10 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89. Review: Boston Herald 1919.01.11 p. 11.
January 13 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The 250th Musical Morning of Mr Bagby’s Concerts, beginning at 11am. Satina indicates that the other soloists were Louise Homer, Maria Rappold (standing in for Florence Easton), and Reinald Werrenrath. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 21 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached reviews indicate Rachmaninoff's Barcarolle, op. 10, no. 3, and Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, were played as encores at the end of the recital, and that a 'Scherzo, op. 31' of Beethoven was played after the sonata. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 23 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was the first time the inclusion of Rachmaninoff’s cadenza was mentioned in the program, and that the Polka de W.R. was performed 'by request'. This concert was given under the auspices of the Society for Prevention and Relief of Tuberculosis. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 2 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 9 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 19 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 22 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The concert commenced at 2.30pm. It is not indicated whether the 2nd or 3rd piece from Medtner's op. 7 was performed. The second attached review indicates that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was given as an encore at the end. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89. Review: Boston Herald 1919.02.23 p. 11.
February 23 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was the first time Rachmaninoff played an all Russian recital program in New York. It is not indicated whether the 2nd or 3rd piece from Medtner's op. 7 was performed. The third attached review notes that among the audience were Nellie Melba and Geraldine Farrar, and that Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was one of a small group of encores at the end. The fourth attached review indicates that 'The Star-Spangled Banner' was played at the beginning. Regarding Rachmaninoff's Variations, op. 22, the first attached review indicates: 'As played yesterday it was in a form somewhat changed from that in which it first was published ten or more years ago. Some six of the original variations were left out yesterday, one, new, was substituted and a bravura finale is now set as a quiet mood.' LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 1 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 4 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The concert commenced at 8.15pm. The first attached review notes Rachmaninoff began by playing 'The Star-Spangled Banner', and that the Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, was one or two encores at the end. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 7 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The concert commenced at 8.15pm. The first attached review notes that Rachmaninoff began by playing 'The Star-Spangled Banner', and that Tchaikovsky's Troika and Rachmaninoff's Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 5, were played as encores. As the attached press clipping indicates, the program was different to what was advertised in relation to Rachmaninoff's own works. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 9 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 13 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The concert commenced at 4.30pm. Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor, op. 23, no. 5, is noted as an encore, along with Tchaikovsky's Troika, a Nocturne perhaps by Field, and a Chopin waltz. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 23 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached reviews indicate a Chopin Waltz in A flat major was played as an encore after the Strauss-Tausig works, while Tchaikovsky's Troika was given at the end. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 28 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina lists this concert as being on April 27 three times in her files, as does Martyn, however the program indicates that it took place on April 28. Satina writes that as an encore Rachmaninoff played the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3 no. 2, and that his performance was an ‘auction’ for one million dollars (or more). In his book, Martyn claims that the ‘purchaser’ was Ampico, ‘who achieved enormous publicity, and business, from this stratagem for promoting one of their artists’ (p. 499). It is not indicated which of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies was played - both nos. 2 and 12 were frequent inclusions in his repertoire at the time. Lieut. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, also known as Theodore Jr, was the son of US President Theodore Roosevelt. Satina lists the following personnel for this Victory Liberty Loan Concert:
Victory Liberty Loan Committee (C Conway, Chairman)
Concert Committee (E Irion, Chairman)
Liberty Loan Representatives
Trade and Professional Committee
Advisory Committee
Executive Committee
Piano Committee
Talking Machine Committee
Piano and Organ Supply Committee
Musician Committee
Music Publishers and Music Roll Committee
Music Teachers Committee
Music and Merchandise Committee
Publicity
LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 12 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that the key of the Chopin Waltz was not given in the review, and that Rachmaninoff played his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. It might be presumed that Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso and Chopin's B flat minor Scherzo were included in the program, as they appeared in most later iterations of it. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 15 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that the key of the Chopin Waltz was not given in the review she was sent (although it would have been either op. 64, no. 1, or op. 70, no. 3), and that Rachmaninoff played his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. It might be presumed that Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso followed the Beethoven Sonata, and that Chopin's Scherzo no. 2 in B flat minor was played at the end of that group. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 17 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina listed this date in her summary of the season but apparently missed identifying a program. Given the recitals in venues on either side, the program can perhaps be presumed as the same or at least similar. The attached review notes the Chopin Scherzo and Gounod-Liszt Waltz, along with the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. Paderewski's Minuet is noted as the encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 19 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unaware that Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso and Chopin's Scherzo were on the program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 25 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No details were identified by Satina, although Apetian noted that this was a ‘mixed concert’ at which 5 unidentified pieces were performed, presumed to be solos. The attached review and press clippings indicate the concert was a fundraiser for the King and Queen of Belgium, specifically for a medical research centre in Brussels. While the attached review refers to Rachmaninoff playing a 'famous Nocturne' by Chopin, it could have been confused with the first work played by Heiftetz. The program given here is according to the attached press notice; there is no indication of any encores given. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 26 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina wondered if the Funeral March by Alkan might not have been played, which the second attached review confirms was removed from the program. Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as the encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89. Review: Boston Herald 1919.10.27 p. 13.
October 28 1919
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unable to identify any details of this program, yet the attached review identifies the pieces. Mendelssohn's Spinning Song and a Chopin waltz are noted as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.