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.
November 12 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 14 1938
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The attached press clipping appears to indicate that a different Beethoven sonata would be played, yet given the other error it is perhaps unreliable. No review has been found. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 15 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. A Chopin mazurka and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 18 1938
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this concert began at 8.15pm. 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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. The Spinning Song from Wagner's 'The Flying Dutchman' and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores in the attached reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 22 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 23 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. Tchaikovsky's Troika, the transcription of Rimsky-Korsakov's Bumble Bee, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 26 1938
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 28 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as the sole encore in the second attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 29 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as one of a number of encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 1 1938
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. Satina noted that the Rameau and Wagner-Brassin were not mentioned in the review she had been sent, yet the latter is noted in the one attached. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted as the third encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 5 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no, 2, is noted as the encore in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 11 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 13 1938
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this concert began at 8.30pm. 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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. Tchaikovsky's Troika, the transcription of Mussorgsky's Hopak, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores in the attached reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 15 1938
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. While the key of the Schubert Impromptu was consistently listed as A flat minor, Martyn (p. 434) confirms it was D. 899, no. 4. Satina has placed a question mark next to this recital, but it is not clear why. The attached review confirms the program Satina identified. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 17 1938
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. It is possible that Liszt's Etude in D flat major was also played at this concert. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 19 1938
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. Five encores are noted in the attached reviews, these being: the transcription of Kreisler's Liebesleid, Liszt's Liebestraum no. 3, the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, and the transcriptions of Rimsky-Korsakov's Bumble Bee and Mussorgsky's Hopak. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 21 1938
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. The transcription of Rimsky-Korsakov's Bumble Bee and a Chopin waltz are noted as encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 16 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While the number of the Etude-Tableau in A minor is not clear, Satina believed it was likely no. 6. There were four encores at this concert, according to a review she had been sent, which included the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, the transcription of Mussorgsky’s Hopak, and Spinning Song, by Wagner-Liszt. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 17 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: The transcription of Schubert's 'Wohin?' and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, are noted as encores in the attached reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 19 1939
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.
January 22 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While the number of the Etude-Tableau in A minor is not clear, Satina believed it was likely no. 6. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 23 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While the number of the Etude-Tableau in A minor is not clear, Satina believed it was likely no. 6. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 16 1939
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. The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted in the attached reviews as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 18 1939
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
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
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A review in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph the following day confirms the program, also indicating that Liszt's Liebestraum no. 3, a Chopin waltz, Tchaikovsky's Troika, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, were played as encores. The image of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph is used with kind permission of The British Library Board. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 24 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Apetian did not list this concert, yet details appeared in records maintained by Rachmaninoff's UK agent, and the program was listed by Satina. A newspaper review article in the Hampshire Advertise and Southampton Times the day after the concert, on February 25, written by their music critic, 'Faux Bourdon', noted that Rachmaninoff's concert would be covered the following week, perhaps suggesting that publication issues might have prevented immediate filing of notices, and also explaining why Satina might have been convinced Rachmaninoff performed. Yet in the issue of March 4, Bourdon opened by stating 'It was, no doubt, a great disappointment to many that Rachmaninoff, the great composer-pianist, was unable to appear at last Friday's Celebrity Concert'; it noted that Vladimir Horowitz appeared instead. Hence, it is clear that Rachmaninoff did not perform at this time in Southampton. The program would have been identical to that played in Sheffield on February 21, and in Middlesborough on February 28, with works by Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Liszt. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 28 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 2 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 4 1939
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Reviews in The Scotsman and the Edinburgh Evening News, both on March 6, indicate that Rachmaninoff played his Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, and Liszt's Liebestraum no. 3 as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.