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.
May 20 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina did not include the Liszt Rhapsody in this program, but it is clearly noted in the first attached review. The third review indicates that four Etudes-Tableaux were played, likely in error, and that encores included the transcription of 'Daisies', the Barcarolle op. 10, no. 3, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 10 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 14 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 16 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, and Liszt's transcription of Chopin's 'Maiden's Wish', are noted as encores after the Chopin Sonata in the first attached review, while both note the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, at the end of the program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 17 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: An unusual identification of pieces in the attached program cast doubt for Satina about whether both the Prelude and Serenade by Rachmaninoff were played, however the attached review indicates they both were heard. Satina does not indicate if she was basing her opinion about the program on a review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 19 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 20 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude in A flat major, although Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was often in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz in F major, op. 34, no. 3. Regarding the attached review, Satina also noted that the Chopin Polonaise and the Liszt were not mentioned. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89. Review: Philadelphia Inquirer 1922.11.21 p. 11.
November 21 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached reviews indicate that Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, was one of two encores given at the end. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 22 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 23 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 27 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached reviews indicate that Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, was played as an encore after the Chopin Sonata, and Rachmaninoff's Preludes in G major, op. 32, no. 5, and C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, were played at the end. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 28 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2 was also heard, which the first attached review confirms was the last of three encores at the end of the recital. The second attached review notes that Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, was played as an encore after the Chopin Sonata. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 3 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude in A flat major, although Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. In other venues where this program was played, the Chopin Polonaise was often in E flat minor, op. 26, no. 2, the Nocturne in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, and the Waltz in F major, op. 34, no. 3. Two of the attached reviews (including from the New York Times) indicate that Beethoven's 'Appassionata' Sonata was played, yet both the attached image of the program and two of the other reviews indicate the Weber Rondo was played. The third attached review comments on the change of program. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, as well as Liszt's transcription of Chopin's 'Maiden's Wish', are noted as among six encores given at the end of the recital. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 4 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that the review she had been sent did not mention Medtner’s Improvisation. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 5 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: As the attached reviews note, Rachmaninoff altered his program at this recital, which is also confirmed by the attached press clipping. Satina was unaware of this change. Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, is noted as an encore after the Chopin Sonata. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 6 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude in A flat major, although Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. In some 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. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore at the end of the recital in the first attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 8 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believed that a Chopin polonaise was played at this concert, however it does not appear on the program in the attached press clipping nor is it mentioned in the reviews. Both Satina and Martyn identify an etude by Lyadov in this concert, however the first attached review notes Liszt's Etude in D flat major, while the press clipping refers to Liszt's Etude in A flat major (possibly due to an error in information distributed by Rachmaninoff's agent). The first attached review notes that Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, and Liszt's transcription of Chopin's Maiden's Wish were played as encores after the Chopin Sonata, while the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as one of three encores at the end of the recital. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 10 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believed that a Chopin polonaise was played at this concert, however it is does not appear on the program in the attached press clipping. Regarding Liszt's Etude in A flat major, Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. 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. Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op.. 64, no. 1, is noted as an encore after the Chopin Sonata in the attached reviews, while a Tchaikovsky waltz, Tausig's transcription of Schumann's Kontrabandiste, and Rachmaninoff's Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, are noted as encores at the end of the recital. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 11 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believed that a Chopin polonaise was also played at this concert, however the attached press clipping indicates this was not the case. The attached review refers to two Chopin waltzes, and it is possible that one of them was given as an encore after the Chopin Sonata. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted, and could have been played at the end of the recital as an encore. Regarding the Liszt Etude in A flat major, Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. 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.
December 12 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 13 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While the attached press clipping and two of the reviews refer to Liszt's Etude in 'A' flat, the first review identifies it as 'D flat major'. Martyn (p. 426) identifies Concert Etude no. 1 'Il lamento' as the work played in this season, however misprinted details of works distributed by Rachmaninoff's agent are known to have occurred. While the press clipping indicates a polonaise was played, none of the reviews note it. According to the third review, Chopin's Waltz in D flat major ('Minute'), op. 64, no. 1, was given as an encore after the Chopin Sonata, while a piece by Tchaikovsky, Tausig's transcription of Schumann's Kontrabandiste, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores at the end of the recital. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 14 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The first attached review notes that Moszkowski's La jongleuse was played as an encore at the end of the recital, while the second review indicates a Chopin etude was played after the Chopin group. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 15 1922
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude in A flat major, although Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. 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
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude in A flat major, although Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. 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
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina does not indicate further about the Liszt Etude in A flat major, although Martyn (p. 426) indicates that the Concert Etude no. 1 ‘Il lamento’ was played at this time. 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
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 11 1923
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The first attached review indicates that Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody and Rachmaninoff's Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, were given as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 14 1923
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The location of this concert was doubted due to the problematic location of the subsequent concert in Dayton. While no press clippings or reviews from Charleston have so far been found, the attached press clipping from a neighbouring county confirms that the concert took place in South Carolina. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 19 1923
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached review notes two encores were given, the first being Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 22 1923
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached reviews note that Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody and the transcription of Kreisler's Liebesleid were given as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.