Diary entries

November 23 1937

Chicago, IL, USA
Northwestern University Auditorium

Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist

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

November 27 1937

New York, NY, USA
Carnegie Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

November 28 1937

Boston, MA, USA
Symphony Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

November 30 1937

Newark, NJ, USA
Mosque

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

December 2 1937

Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Syria Mosque

Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist

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

December 3 1937

Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Syria Mosque

Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist

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

December 7 1937

Richmond, VA, USA
Mosque

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina had a different ordering of the Chopin group to that outlined in the attached reviews, hence her indication of key for the Mazurka could be mistaken. The Waltz in A flat major, op. 42, was played two nights later, so was perhaps performed here. Liszt's transcription of 'Die Forelle' and 'two Russian numbers' are noted as encores in the reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 9 1937

Atlanta, GA, USA
Fox Theater

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina was not aware of the inclusion of the Waltz in A flat, op. 42, in the Chopin group. Rachmaninoff's transcriptions of Schubert's 'Wohin?', Mussorgsky's Hopak, and Rimsky-Korsakov's Bumble Bee are noted as encores in the attached reviews. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 12 1937

Exeter, NH, USA
Thompson Gymnasium

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

December 13 1937

Brockton, MA, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that in this program the Beethoven sonata that appeared in Exeter and Norwalk on the days either side was not played, but rather the Chopin Waltz and Ballade were added. However, Satina does not indicate the exact placement of these works, thus where they were added cannot be indicated with certainty. The Liebestraum similarly replaced the Liszt Sonetto. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 15 1937

Norwalk, CT, USA

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

December 24 1937

Boston, MA, USA
Symphony Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist

Notes: Satina indicates that this concert began at 2.30pm. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

December 25 1937

Boston, MA, USA
Symphony Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist

Notes: Satina indicates that this concert began at 8.15pm. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 14 1938

The Hague, Netherlands
Gebouw voor Kunst en Wetenschappen

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Both Satina and Apetian (p. 462) list this concert occurring in Amsterdam, however press notices and reviews indicate it was held in The Hague. It is likely that the Chopin Mazurka was op. 63, no. 3, given that Rachmaninoff played it in other concerts this season. A review in De Avondpost on February 15 notes Liszt's transcription of Schubert's 'Das Wandern', Rachmaninoff's transcription of Kreisler's Liebeslied, and the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, as encores, LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 16 1938

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Concertgebouw

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Both Satina and Apetian (p. 462) list this concert occurring in The Hague, however press notices and reviews indicate it took place in Amsterdam. It is likely that the Chopin Mazurka was op. 63, no. 3, given that Rachmaninoff played it in other concerts this season. A review in De Telegraaf on February 17 indicates a work by Chopin, and Brassin's transcription of Wagner's Magic Fire Music, from Valkyrie, were among the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

February 20 1938

Cannes, France
Théâtre du Caslno

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: A note in Satina's files indicates that brief details of the concert were found in the journal 'l'Eclaireur'. Works by Bach-Liszt, Bach, Chopin, Debussy, and two of Rachmaninoff's compositions were performed. The works noted appear similar to a program Rachmaninoff gave on February 28 in Vienna.

February 22 1938

Nice, France

Notes: No details.

February 23 1938

Cannes, France
Théâtre du Casino

Notes: A note in Satina's files indicated that brief details of this concert were found in the journal 'l'Eclaireur'. Works by Handel, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff were performed. While no orchestra is listed, the notice continues that 'he will play Beethoven's Concerto in C major as the opening act' ['... il jouera en première partie le concerte en ut majeur de Beethoven']. This seems odd, although the concerto was played a few weeks later at a concert in Manchester, UK, on March 10. Beethoven's piano sonata in D minor, op. 31, no. 2, appeared in programs at the time, so it seems possible that details may have been muddled. The attached press clipping notes two 'recitals' in Cannes, which makes an error appear more likely to have been the case.

February 28 1938

Vienna, Austria
Großer Musikvereinsaal

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina noted that she copied the keys and opuses of these works from the same program that Rachmaninoff played in Newcastle a few weeks later, although the attached reviews confirm the main works. In the attached review from Telegraf on March 1, an announcement in the bottom righthand corner details the planned performance of Rachmaninoff's The Bells, op. 35, and Symphony no. 3, op. 44, that was planned for March 10, with the composer conducting. Due to quickly evolving historical events and the subsequent unrest, all concerts in Vienna at the time were cancelled, as noted in Bertensson and Leyda, p. 339. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 4 1938

Zurich, Switzerland
Tonhalle, Großer Saal

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina indicated that Chopin's Polonaise in C minor, op. 40, no. 2, was performed at this concert, however as the attached review indicates the Nocturne was played instead. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 10 1938

Manchester, England
Free Trade Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist

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

March 12 1938

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 13 1938

Liverpool, England
Paramount Theatre

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Tchaikovsky's Troika 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.

March 15 1938

Bristol, England
Colston Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: The transcription of Kreisler's Liebesleid 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.

March 17 1938

Hanley, England
Victoria Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 19 1938

Brighton, England
Brighton Dome

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

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

March 21 1938

Nottingham, England
Albert Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: The Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, is noted among the encores in the attached review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 22 1938

Newcastle, England
City Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: Satina notes that the Chopin Nocturne listed in the program was in D flat major, op. 27, no. 2, but was replaced by the Nocturne in F major. The attached review notes Tchaikovsky's Troika as among the encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 26 1938

Dublin, Ireland
Theatre Royal

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: The attached review does not mention the Paganin-Liszt Etude, although it appears in the attached press notice. The D flat major Nocturne was, according to the review, substituted for the advertised Nocturne in F major, op. 15, no. 1. The review also indicates the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, a Chopin Waltz in A flat, and a Liszt transcription were given as encores. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.

March 28 1938

Belfast, Ireland
Ulster Hall

Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist

Notes: It is likely that the Chopin Mazurka was op. 63, no. 3, given that Rachmaninoff played it in other concerts this season. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.