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.

January 23 1939

Rochester, NY, USA
Eastman Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: While the number of the Etude-Tableau in A minor is not clear, it is likely no. 6. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 16 1939

Birmingham, England
Town Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is not clear which work by Rameau is indicated, but it could be the Gavotte and Variations (Gavotte et six doubles) from the Suite in A minor, RCT 5. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 18 1939

London, England
Queen’s Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is not clear which work by Rameau is indicated, but it could be the Gavotte and Variations (Gavotte et six doubles) from the Suite in A minor, RCT 5. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 19 1939

Liverpool, England
Paramount Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is not clear which work by Rameau is indicated, but it could be the Gavotte and Variations (Gavotte et six doubles) from the Suite in A minor, RCT 5. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 21 1939

Sheffield, England
City Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

February 24 1939

Southampton, England

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Apetian did not list this concert, but details appeared in records maintained by Rachmaninoff's UK agent, and the program was collected by Satina. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 28 1939

Middlesbrough, England
Town Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 2 1939

Glasgow, Scotland
St Andrew’s Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 4 1939

Edinburgh, Scotland
Usher Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 7 1939

Oxford, England
New Theatre

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 11 1939

London, England
Queen’s Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 12 1939

Cardiff, Wales
New Theatre

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 28 1939

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina includes this ‘incomplete program’. It is likely that the Chopin Etudes were the same as played in other concert in Europe at this time. Similarly, the work or works by Liszt. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 30 1939

Brussels, Belgium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina appears to have been unable to find any details for this concert, which is presumed to have been a solo recital. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

April 25 1939

Paris, France

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina appears to have been unable to find any details for this concert, which she presumed to have been a solo recital, however a review in Le Ménestrel from May 5 indicates that the program was similar to recitals in the United Kingdom in March, and a more recent concert in Amsterdam. The four etudes by Chopin were likely nos. 7, 5, 4 and 12 from op. 25, the works by Liszt could have been the Concert Etude in D flat major, Waldesrauschen and Gnomenreigen. There is no explanation for the reference to Rachmaninoff being Danish. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

October 18 1939

Worchester, MA, USA
Memorial Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

October 20 1939

Syracuse, NY, USA
Lincoln High School

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

October 23 1939

Cincinnati, OH, USA
Taft Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu is op. 90, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

October 24 1939

Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Hill Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu is op. 90, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

October 30 1939

Davenport, IA, USA
College

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

November 7 1939

Oberlin, OH, USA
Finney Memorial Chapel

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu was op. 90, no. 4, and that Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34, no. 2. Satina notes that Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G major, op. 32, no. 5, was also played in this concert, in place of ‘the 2 pieces listed in the program’ – it is not clear which pieces were not played. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 8 1939

Newark, NJ, USA
Mosque Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu is op. 90, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 11 1939

New York, NY, USA
Carnegie Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu is op. 90, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 12 1939

Washington, DC, USA
Constitution Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that Schubert’s Impromptu in A flat was added to this program, likely op. 90, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 14 1939

Harrisburg, PA, USA
Forum Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu was op. 90, no. 4, and that Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 19 1939

Boston, MA, USA
Symphony Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu was op. 90, no. 4, and that Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 21 1939

Greensboro, NC, USA
Aycock Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu was op. 90, no. 4, and that Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

November 23 1939

San Diego, CA, USA
Savoy Theater (or Capitol Theater)

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu was op. 90, no. 4, and that Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 14 1940

Chicago, IL, USA
Auditorium of Northwestern University

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu is op. 90, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

January 15 1940

Wichita, KS, USA
Arcadia Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that Schubert’s Impromptu was op. 90, no. 4, and that Medtner’s Fairy Tale was op. 34, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.