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.
February 3 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: No review of this concert has yet been located, yet two press clippings are attached. In the first, it notes Rachmaninoff being inconvenienced by the sudden closure of the Pabst Theater, where he had played previously; while in the other it refers to the concert taking place in the Davidson Theater. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 5 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 8 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 9 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A Chopin Nocturne in E flat major (likely op. 9, no. 2) and Liszt's Valse oubliée are noted as the encores. Satina was unaware which Prelude by Rachmaninoff was played, but its key is taken from the second attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 10 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 15 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 16 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The first attached review notes the Andante spianato which accompanies Chopin's Grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, as seeming to be within the program, however the second review appears to indicate it was played as an encore. Two Chopin waltzes (one in A flat major) are noted as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 18 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina uses the word ‘apparently’ when indicating Rachmaninoff played the Prelude in G major, op. 32, no. 5, however it is confirmed in the review from the New York Times. In a later concert, Rachmaninoff played the Andante spianato before the Grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, but it does not appear to have been included at this concert. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted among 'half a dozen' encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 20 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: In her notes, Satina later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude for three recitals in Canada at this time, however the second attached review clearly indicates that it was op. 25, no. 1. Similarly, the other etude that Satina believed was played - op. 10, no. 1 - was in fact op. 25, no. 7. While two of Rachmaninoff's Etudes-Tableaux appear to have been advertised, the second piece was the Prelude in C sharp minor. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 21 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: In her notes, Satina later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude for three recitals in Canada at this time. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as the third and final encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 26 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: In her notes, Satina later typed ‘or op. 10, no. 10’ after the second Chopin etude for three recitals in Canada at this time. Yet the attached review indicates that the Etude in C minor, op. 25, no. 12, was played. According to the review, it appears the Medtner might have been played before the Chopin etudes. The Valse brillante of Chopin, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 27 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Conflicting information about the works on this program is evident in the attached press clippings. Taking the first attached review as definitive, primarily as it also lists the program separately, the works presented here differ to those assembled by Satina. Of note is Rachmaninoff's playing of Chopin's Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, which authors, such as Martyn (p. 421), have not included in his repertoire. Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, op. 9, no. 2, Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak and his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, along with a Chopin waltz, are noted as the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 29 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unsure whether this concert occurred on February 28 or February 29, a view perhaps compounded by the proximity to the recording with Kreisler, however the attached review confirms the date. Satina was unaware of a second Polonaise by Chopin on the program: referred to in the review as E flat major, this was presumably the Grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, as it was played in Brooklyn on February 27. It is not clear if the Andante spianato which precedes it was also played. Chopin's Nocturne in F sharp major, op. 15, no. 2, is noted among the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 2 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, op. 9, no. 2, Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as the encores in the first attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 5 1928
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.
March 7 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina doubted that the two Chopin etudes were included in the program at this venue, although the attached review appears to indicate they were performed. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 12 1928
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.
March 15 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unsure of which works by Chopin were played, however the attached press clippings clarify the program further. The second attached review indicates that Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, op. 9, no. 2, Tchaikovsky's Troika, and Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak were played as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 21 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The details of the Chopin Etudes and Scherzo are likely similar to what was played in New York a few nights later. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 25 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina was unaware of the details for the Chopin pieces, but these have been confirmed by the attached review. The encores are noted as Tchaikovsky's Troika, Rachmaninoff's transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak, and his Preludes in G minor, op. 23, no. 5, and C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 29 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached press clipping notes that the program played was the same as for New York the following evening. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 31 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 19 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 22 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was Rachmaninoff’s third appearance in New York in the Spring of 1928, and that the concert was a benefit for Russian war invalids abroad, raising $4,635. In the attached review, however, Olin Downes indicates a figure of over $6,000 was raised. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
May 19 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina did not provide any information about the Rachmaninoff Preludes, the attached review indicates their keys. It is not clear, however, whether the C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was played as the encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 2 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 5 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Scarlatti Sonata in D minor is presumably L. 413, which he recorded. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 9 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 10 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The Scarlatti Sonata in D minor was presumably L. 413, which he recorded. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 16 1928
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.