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.

December 8 1922

Cincinnati, OH, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that the Liszt Etude which was played in other venues where this program featured was replaced by an Etude by Lyadov. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3; however, Ms Satina also indicates that no Nocturne was mentioned in the program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 10 1922

Indianapolis, IN, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. Satina notes that no works by Rachmaninoff, or a Chopin Polonaise, were mentioned in the review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 11 1922

Louisville, KY, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 12 1922

Terre Haute, IN, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 13 1922

St Louis, MO, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 14 1922

Dayton, OH, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 15 1922

Cleveland, OH, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 17 1922

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 6 1923

Havana, Cuba

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 9 1923

Havana, Cuba
National Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 11 1923

Miami, FL, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 14 1923

Charlestown, SC, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 19 1923

Jacksonville, FL, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 22 1923

Birmingham, AL, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 24 1923

Shreveport, LA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 26 1923

Dallas, TX, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 28 1923

San Antonio, TX, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 31 1923

San Diego, CA, USA
Spreckel’s Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that in other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. Satina indicates Liszt’s Sonetto del Petrarca [possibly no. 104] was played in this concert, but she does not state whether it replaced another work. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 1 1923

Pasadena, CA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that at this concert ‘the Chopin Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in D flat major (either op. 70, no. 3, or op. 64, no. 1)’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 2 1923

Los Angeles, CA, USA
Trinity Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina writes: ‘This program is incomplete. The copy sent to us contained several errors and it should be checked.’ LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 4 1923

San Francisco, CA, USA
Columbia Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that in other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. Satina indicates Liszt’s Sonetto del Petrarca [possibly no. 104] was played in this concert, but she does not state whether it replaced another work. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 7 1923

Portland, OR, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that in other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. Satina indicates Liszt’s Sonetto del Petrarca [possibly no. 104] was played in this concert, but she does not state whether it replaced another work. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 8 1923

Seattle, WA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 12 1923

Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 14 1923

Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that the Spinning Song was not mentioned in the review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 15 1923

Denver, CO, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina writes: ‘This program is incomplete and full of mistakes. The names of the composers were added by us.’ LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 19 1923

Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 21 1923

Minneapolis, MN, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude. Her typed notes clearly state ‘A flat major’, which could be either ‘Ricordanza’ from the Transcendental Etudes or ‘Il lamento’ from the Concert Etudes, however it could be that it should state ‘D flat major’, as this etude (‘Un sospiro’) was in various programs this season. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Nocturne was in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz was in F major, op. 34, no. 3. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 23 1923

Ames, IA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that the keys for the Chopin works were not given in the review, however they were listed in four other venues at which Rachmaninoff performed the same program and, therefore, have been added here. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 25 1923

Chicago, IL, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina recorded this date but appears to have neglected listing a program for the concert. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, L31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.