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.

March 9 1927

Portland, OR, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that Rachmaninoff also played one of his Preludes in this concert. No keys were given for the Etudes-Tableaux on the program, but they have been presumed to have been the same as for other locations where Rachmaninoff performed this program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 10 1927

Seattle, WA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that Rachmaninoff also played one of his Preludes in this concert. No keys were given for the Etudes-Tableaux on the program, but they have been presumed to have been the same as for other locations where Rachmaninoff performed this program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 11 1927

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that Rachmaninoff also played his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, in this concert. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 15 1927

Saint Paul, MN, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina was unable to ascertain any details about this recital. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 24 1927

Brooklyn, NY, USA
Academy of Music

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 27 1927

Montreal, QC, Canada
Princess Theatre

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that no keys were given for the Etudes-Tableaux on the program, but they have been presumed to have been the same as for other locations where Rachmaninoff performed this program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 30 1927

Washington, DC, USA
The White House

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that this concert was ‘by invitation’. Satina believes that the Waltz by Strauss-Tausig was ‘Man lebt nur einmal’, but it may be possible that it was ‘Wahlstimmen’, as this was also in Rachmaninoff’s repertory at the time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

April 2 1927

New York, NY, USA
Carnegie Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

April 3 1927

Boston, MA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

January 18 1928

Plainfield, NJ, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

January 23 1928

Trenton, NJ, USA
Crescent Temple

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

January 27 1928

Andover, MA, USA
George Washington Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

January 29 1928

Boston, MA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 2 1928

Detroit, MI, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 3 1928

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 5 1928

Chicago, IL, USA
Orchestra Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 8 1928

Cleveland, OH, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 9 1928

Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Carnegie Music Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 10 1928

Greenburg, PA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 15 1928

Buffalo, NY, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 16 1928

Northampton, MA, USA
John M Greene Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 18 1928

New York, NY, USA
Carnegie Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina uses the word ‘apparently’ when indicating which prelude Rachmaninoff played, however it is confirmed in review from the New York Times. According to the review, however, the Chopin Polonaise was a different one. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 20 1928

Ottawa, ON, Canada

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina has later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude in her notes for three recitals in Canada at this time. Satina noted in regard to the concert in Ottawa that the Chopin works were listed without their keys (either in the program or a review, presumably), and that ‘Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34 but it might be incorrect’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 21 1928

Toronto, ON, Canada

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina has later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 26 1928

Montreal, QC, Canada
Princess Theatre

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina has later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude. Satina also notes that the work by Medtner in this concert was Sonata Fairy Tale, op. 25, no. 1. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 27 1928

Brooklyn, NY, USA
The Academy of Music

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 29 1928

Philadelphia, PA, USA
Academy of Music

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina lists this date as February 28 in one list, but as February 29 elsewhere. In any event, its proximity (both chronological and geographical) to the recording with Kreisler is curious. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 2 1928

Washington, DC, USA
Poli’s Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 5 1928

Palm Beach, FL, USA
Paramount Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 7 1928

St Petersburg, FL, USA
Senior High School

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicates that the two Chopin etudes were not in the program, however it is not clear whether she is indicating that there simply not mentioned in the review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.