Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff writes with long, singing melodies and lush, chromatic harmonies—his music is intensely emotional and unapologetically Romantic. His piano writing is idiomatic and virtuosic, exploiting his own enormous hands and technique. He favors rich orchestration, often dark in color, and his music builds to overwhelming climaxes. There's often a melancholic, autumnal quality even in joyful moments.

He studied with Taneyev and Arensky at Moscow Conservatory, absorbing Russian Romantic tradition. Tchaikovsky was an early supporter and influence. He knew and competed with Scriabin. His exile meant he developed outside Soviet musical trends. He influenced film music enormously—his lush orchestration became Hollywood's language for emotion.

His early works show confident Romanticism. The Symphony No. 1 disaster triggered a creative crisis resolved by the Second Piano Concerto. His mature Russian period (1900-1917) brought his greatest works. After fleeing the Revolution, he focused on performing over composing, though late works like the Symphonic Dances show continued mastery. He died in America, permanently exiled.

After the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony in 1897 (conducted badly by a drunk Glazunov), Rachmaninoff fell into depression and couldn't compose for three years. He was cured through hypnotherapy by Dr. Nikolai Dahl, to whom he dedicated his Piano Concerto No. 2—the work that restored his confidence and became his most famous piece.

Rachmaninoff had enormous hands—he could span a 13th on the piano—which explains some of the extreme technical demands in his piano writing. There are photographs of his hands that show their remarkable size and stretch.

Rachmaninoff is massively popular—his Piano Concertos 2 and 3 are among the most performed concertos, his Rhapsody is constantly programmed, and his symphonies appear regularly. His piano music is recital standard. He's one of the most audience-friendly composers, guaranteed to sell tickets. Absolutely evergreen.