Diary entries
November 27 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina writes that ‘the proceeds are given to help the wounded soliders’. Satina cites a reference to Apetian, p. 454, also noting that Apetian’s date for this concert was incorrect, referencing instead ‘Rachmaninoff’s booklet’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 8 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina notes that owing to Rachmaninoff’s illness this concert, which was announced for December 3, was postponed to December 8. Satina also indicates that the previously announced work by Borodin – the unfinished ballet ‘Mlada’ – was not given. She concludes: ‘All proceeds will go to the All Russian union of Cities for supplying warm clothing to the Army.’ LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 10 1914 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 4th Symphony Concert in Koussevitzky’s season, starting at 8.30pm. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 6 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 8 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
September 26 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina indicates that this ‘extra’ concert in Alexander Siloti’s season was dedicated to the memory of Alexander Scriabin. St Petersburg was known as Petrograd at this time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 12 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina indicated that this was the first concert of a Scriabin Cycle, and that it was held as a benefit in aid of Scriabin’s children. She also noted that, due to the war, audience members were allowed to listen to the final rehearsal on the previous day, October 11, for a small fee, the money raised being donated to ‘wounded men’. Reviews in Russkiye Vedomosti and Russkoe Slovo (both on October 13) indicate that Rachmaninoff played three encores, including Scriabin's Etudes in D sharp minor and C sharp minor. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 17 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 20 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. About the program at this concert, Keldysh (p. 402) included the Second and Fifth Sonatas, the Satanic Poem, 10 preludes from op. 11, and etudes from op. 8 and op. 42. The programs from later in the season in Moscow and St Petersburg, as supplied by Satina, agree in these details but add further works by Scriabin (although she did not include etudes from op. 8). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 24 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 26 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina’s notes indicated that she was unsure about which Rachmaninoff concerto was played, but ultimately concluded it was no. 2, which is also noted by Apetian. Satina was vague about the conductor, referring only to 'Mr Pyshnov', while both Apetian and Keldysh (p. 401) give the name as L.N. Pyshnov. The western version of his name, by which he became known, is given here. An advertisement for the concert in Kavkaz on October 25 provides the details of the program, which are supported by reviews in Sakhalkho Furceli (People's Paper), p. 3, and Kavkaz, p. 3, both on October 28. The second review indicates Rachmaninoff played Preludes in G sharp minor, op. 32, no. 12, and G minor, op. 23, no. 5, as encores. The State Theatre is now known as the Zacharia Paliashvili Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 29 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina noted only that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program, the program details have been taken from a review in Kavkaz on October 31, p. 3. The keys of the Preludes are possibly the same as later all-Rachmaninoff programs in Moscow and St Petersburg. The Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, and the Polka de W.R. are noted as among the encores. The Hall of the Society of Artists, also referred to as the 'salon' of Elizabeth Orbeliani, appears to have been her home, known as the Orbeliani Palace. This building is now the official home of the Georgian President, located on Atoneli St in central Tbilisi. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
October 31 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: While Satina noted only that this was an all-Scriabin recital program, the details have been taken from a review in Kavkaz on November 3, p. 4. While opus numbers and keys of the preludes and etudes are not stated in the review, they are presumed to be the same as later concerts in Moscow and St Petersburg. The Hall of the Society of Artists, also referred to as the 'salon' of Elizabeth Orbeliani, appears to have been her home, known as the Orbeliani Palace. This building is now the official home of the Georgian President, located on Atoneli St in central Tbilisi. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 3 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was an all-Scriabin program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 7 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Chamber Musician and Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was a chamber music concert, however she does not offer information on which chamber works by Rachmaninoff were played. However, Apetian recorded the works that are indicated, though also noting that it was not clear which of the Etudes-Tableaux were played. Keldysh (p. 403) notes that the violinist and cellist were local musicians. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 9 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 13 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was an all-Rachmaninoff recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 16 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that the complete program for this concert is unknown, but in later notes has indicated that included were the Prelude in G flat major, op. 23, no. 10, the Prelude in G major, op. 32, no. 5, and the Etudes-Tableaux in F minor and G minor from op. 33. Encores included the Barcarolle, op. 10, no. 3, the Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, and the transcription of ‘Lilacs’, op. 21, no. 5. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 18 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: A review in Utro Russi on November 19 indicates that Rachmaninoff played Scriabin's Etude in D sharp minor, op. 8, no. 12, as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 21 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: St Petersburg was known as Petrograd at this time. Satina notes that this was one of Siloti's Symphony Concerts. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 24 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: St Petersburg was known as Petrograd at this time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 26 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina believes that the program also included a Moment musical, op. 16, six Etudes-Tableau from op. 33, and six Preludes from op. 23 and op. 32. St Petersburg was known as Petrograd at this time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 30 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that this was the 3rd Symphony Concert of the season. As encores, Rachmaninoff played his Prelude in G sharp minor, op. 32, no. 12, and Prelude in G minor, op. 23, no. 5, which is confirmed by a review in Russkiye Vedomosti on December 3. Satina also indicated that, due to the war, audience members were allowed to listen to the final rehearsal on the previous day, November 29, for a small fee, the money raised being donated to ‘wounded men’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 3 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 5 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina writes: ‘A printed program of this concert has been given to Rachmaninoff by a Russian refugee in Europe. This rare copy is added at present to section 5 of the Rachmaninoff Archive’. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 9 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that this was an all-Scriabin recital program. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 10 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina wrote that this recital was given to students of the Conservatory in the morning. She indicated that only Rachmaninoff and Scriabin works were on the program, which itself is of interest, as up to this point in his current tours Rachmaninoff was either exclusively playing his own works, or those of Scriabin, in recitals. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 12 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina indicates that this ‘Great Concert-Performance’ was a performance for the ‘benefit of the Polish Committee to help the Refugees’. Along with performances by the Bolshoi Ballet, the event included Verses on Poland, read by M. Ermolova and T. Shepkina-Koupernik, Verses, read by Mrs Gzovskaya, and excerpts from poems by Mickiewicz. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 13 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 14 1915 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicates that the complete program for this concert is unknown, but in later notes has indicated that included were the Prelude in G flat major, op. 23, no. 10, the Prelude in G major, op. 32, no. 5, the Etudes-Tableaux in F minor and G minor from op. 33. Encores included the Barcarolle, op. 10, no. 3, the Polichinelle, op. 3, no. 4, and the transcription of ‘Lilacs’, op. 21, no. 5. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.