Diary entries
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 notes 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. 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.
February 8 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 6th Symphony Concert in the season of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, beginning at 9pm. Satina also indicates that it was the first performance in Moscow of both Rachmaninoff’s, op. 35, and the works by Roger-Ducasses and Ravel. Keldysh (p. 348) lists this concert as being on February 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 24 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 1 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 7th Symphony Concert of the season of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, beginning at 9pm. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 22 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina indicates that this was the 8th Symphony Concert of the season of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, beginning at 9pm. Martyn indicates that the songs were not accompanied by Rachmaninoff (p. 569), and does not include Lyadov's op. 66 in the program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 25 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina noted that this was the 1st concert in the season of the Moscow Branch of the Russian Music Society, given in memory of the late composer, A.K. Lyadov. Satina added that it was the first performance of Lyadov’s Nénie. Reviews in Russkiye Vedomosti and Utro Russii (both on October 26) indicate that only six of Lyadov's Folk Songs, op. 58, were performed, without identifying which were omitted. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 22 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina notes that the exact order of the program is unknown. Satina also indicates that ‘the proceeds are given to help the wounded soldiers’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 24 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina writes that ‘the proceeds are given to help the wounded soliders’. Satina also cites a reference to Apetian, p. 454. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 26 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina notes that the order of the program is unknown. Satina also indicates that ‘the proceeds are given to help the wounded soldiers’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 27 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina writes that ‘the proceeds are given to help the wounded soliders’. Satina cites a reference to Apetian, p. 454, also noting that Apetian’s date for this concert was incorrect, referencing instead ‘Rachmaninoff’s booklet’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 8 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina notes that owing to Rachmaninoff’s illness this concert, which was announced for December 3, was postponed to December 8. Satina also indicates that the previously announced work by Borodin – the unfinished ballet ‘Mlada’ – was not given. She concludes: ‘All proceeds will go to the All Russian union of Cities for supplying warm clothing to the Army.’ LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 10 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 4th Symphony Concert in Koussevitzky’s season, starting at 8.30pm. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 6 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 8 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
September 26 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina indicates that this ‘extra’ concert in Alexander Siloti’s season was dedicated to the memory of Alexander Scriabin. St Petersburg was known as Petrograd at this time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 12 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina indicated that this was the first concert of a Scriabin Cycle, and that it was held as a benefit in aid of Scriabin’s children. She also noted that, due to the war, audience members were allowed to listen to the final rehearsal on the previous day, October 11, for a small fee, the money raised being donated to ‘wounded men’. Reviews in Russkiye Vedomosti and Russkoe Slovo (both on October 13) indicate that Rachmaninoff played three encores, including Scriabin's Etudes in D sharp minor and C sharp minor. 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 notes that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital 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 notes that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. About the program at this concert, Keldysh (p. 402) includes 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 does not include etudes from op. 8). 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 notes that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 26 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina’s notes indicated that she was unsure about which Rachmaninoff concerto was played, but ultimately concluded it was no. 2, which is also noted by Apetian. Satina was vague about the conductor, referring only to 'Mr Pyshnov', while both Apetian and Keldysh (p. 401) give the name as L.N. Pyshnov. The western version of his name, by which he became known, is given here. An advertisement for the concert in Kavkaz on October 25 provides the details of the program, which are supported by reviews in Sakhalkho Furceli (People's Paper), p. 3, and Kavkaz, p. 3, both on October 28. The second review indicates Rachmaninoff played Preludes in G sharp minor, op. 32, no. 12, and G minor, op. 23, no. 5, as encores. The State Theatre is now known as the Zacharia Paliashvili Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 29 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina noted only that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program, the program details have been taken from a review in Kavkaz on October 31, p. 3. The keys of the Preludes are possibly the same as later all-Rachmaninoff programs in Moscow and St Petersburg. The Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, and the Polka de W.R. are noted as among the encores. 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. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 31 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina noted only that this was an all-Scriabin recital program, the details have been taken from a review in Kavkaz on November 3, p. 4. While opus numbers and keys of the preludes and etudes are not stated in the review, they are presumed to be the same as later concerts in Moscow and St Petersburg. 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. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 3 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was an all-Scriabin program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 7 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Chamber Musician and Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was a chamber music concert, however she does not offer information on which chamber works by Rachmaninoff were played. However, Apetian recorded the works that are indicated, though also noting that it was not clear which of the Etudes-Tableaux were played. Keldysh (p. 403) notes that the violinist and cellist were local musicians. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 9 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 13 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.