Diary entries
February 12 1906 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: This was Rachmaninoff's last appearance at the Bolshoi Theatre as an opera conductor.
May 26 1907
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor and Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that this was the 4th Russian Symphony Concert arranged by Sergei Diaghilev in Paris. Keldysh (p. 280) and Martyn (p. 547) indicate that Chevillard also conducted works by Glazunov, Balakirev, and Mussorgsky. Satina believed that Rachmaninoff's The Rock, op. 7, was performed at this concert, yet neither Keldysh nor Martyn noted it, nor is it mentioned in the translation of the attached review. I am grateful to J. Falleyn for confirming details of the this concert, and for supplying the review. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 7 1907 (Julian Calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist and Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina has added this date in pencil, apparently as a consequence of a reference in materials of Zarui Apetian. Satina notes: ‘see Warsavsky Dnevnik, November 9, 1907, no. 309. Article by Zataevich, Apetian p. 339’. Satina indicates that Rachmaninoff had incorrectly identified the date of this concert as being in 1908, referring to his new ‘book’ for recording details of his concert activity. Zataevich's review indicates that as well as playing the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, after the concerto, at the end of the concert he played three more Preludes, which is confirmed in the attached press clipping (the Prelude in G flat major, op. 23, no. 10, was included). Keldysh (p. 283) refers to this concert according to the Julian calendar, as with the date of the review he cites. In the Gregorian Calendar, this date was November 20. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 23 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: This was the first of two concerts that Koussevitzky presented in Berlin at the time. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 26 1908 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina notes that this was Alexander Siloti’s Symphony Concert no. 8. She also notes that this was the first performance of Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. Martyn confirms that Rachmaninoff conducted only his Symphony and the Grieg Concerto (p. 548). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 28 1908 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Chamber Musician
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 2 1908 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor, Concerto Soloist and Chamber Musician
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 5th Symphony Concert of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, and that it was the first time Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony was heard in Moscow. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 3 1908 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Chamber Musician
Notes: Satina noted that this was the 7th of Kerzin’s Concerts, her reference being Apetian, p. 322. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
March 14 1908 (Julian Calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor and Chamber Musician
Notes: Satina noted that this was a Symphony Concert of the Philharmonic Society, and that it was the first performance in Warsaw of Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. I am grateful to J. Falleyn for providing the translation of the attached review, which has clarified confusion regarding the date (likely stemming from the misattribution of Gregorian and Julian Calendars) and matters relating to the program. Martyn provided a different order of the works to Satina and, like Keldysh (p. 286), included a performance of Lisa's aria from Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades, also noting that Rachmaninoff accompanied two of his songs (p. 548), 'Spring Waters' and 'By My Window'. Martyn believed that the second pianist in the Suite was Aleksander Mikhaiłowski, however Keldysh and the attached review confirm it was Henryk Melcer. A further review by Zataevich in the Warsaw Diary (Varshavskiy Dnevnik) on March 18 notes the inclusion of the short work by Lyadov as the penultimate item on the program, an arrangement of the Intermezzo for piano, op. 8, no. 1, the composer's name also indicated in the attached press clipping. In the Gregorian Calendar, the date of this concert was March 27. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
May 26 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: The first attached review indicates that the Prelude in C sharp minor op. 3, no. 2, was played as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 9 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: There has been confusion about the date of this concert: in her Library of Congress materials, Satina listed it for November 9, although Martyn listed a concert in Amsterdam on this date, noting only a performance of the Symphony no. 2. Martyn listed a concert in Antwerp on November 27, with the program as outlined here plus Rachmaninoff's Concerto no. 2 in C minor, op. 18. Satina, who relied on Rachmaninoff's notebook as her source, did not list any performance on November 27. Adding further to the confusion, Satina contradicted herself in 'Vospominania', noting a concert on November 9 in Amsterdam. The attached press notices and newspaper reviews indicate that November 9 is the correct date for this concert in Antwerp. While Satina also included Rachmaninoff's concerto in the program, as it is not mentioned in any of the press materials, nor Rachmaninoff having any role apart from conductor, it seems most likely that it was not performed. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 2 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Chamber Musician
Notes: The performance of the Piano Trio was part of a chamber music concert given by the Czech Quartet. The attached review indicates that a Haydn String Quartet in 'A minor' was played in the second half of the concert, however the composer does not appear to have written a quartet in that key. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 7 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist and Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina indicated her belief that Rachmaninoff also played solos in this concert, and speculated that these works were likely from op. 3 and op. 23. I am grateful to J. Falleyn for the translation of the first attached review, which confirms the performance of a number of Preludes (including op. 23, no. 3, op. 23, no. 5, and finally op. 3, no. 2, as an encore). LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 8 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that Rachmaninoff also played solos in these concerts, and speculated that these works were likely from op. 3 and op. 23. While no review of the concert has so far been located, a press notice in the Nieuwe Haarlemsche Courant on December 4 indicated the performance of the concerto, also noting the concert was to be given under the auspices of the Haarlem Bach Society. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 10 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that Rachmaninoff also played solos in these concerts, and speculated that these works were likely from op. 3 and op. 23. Details for the orchestral works on the program are taken from attached reviews, including De Tijd on December 12. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 12 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that Rachmaninoff also played solos in these concerts, and speculated that these works were likely from op. 3 and op. 23. Details of the orchestral works on the program are taken from a review in Land en Volk on December 14. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 13 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that Rachmaninoff also played solos in these concerts, and speculated that these works were likely from op. 3 and op. 23. This is confirmed by a review in Land en Volk on December 14, which also provides details of the orchestral works on the program. A review in De Telegraaf on the same day indicated that the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was played as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
December 18 1908
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that Rachmaninoff also played solos in these concerts, and speculated that these works were likely from op. 3 and op. 23. While She believed that the orchestra was again the Concertgebouw, Keldysh (p. 288) indicates it was the Cäcilien-verein. The attached review and press clipping, for which the details of the orchestral works have been obtained, do not refer to the orchestra by name. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 3 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor and Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that this 9pm concert was the 6th Symphony Concert in the season of the Imperial Russian Music Society. She did not note who conducted Rachmaninoff’s Symphony, but Martyn confirms it was the composer (p. 549). A review by G Chereshnev in Moskovskiy Vedomosti on January 6 indicates Rachmaninoff also conducted in the violin concerto. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 4 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: This was likely the first performance by Rachmaninoff of his First Piano Sonata, which Threlfall and Norris (citing Oskar von Riesemann) indicate occurred at the Moscow Conservatory. The Sonata had first been performed by Konstantin Igumnov on October 17, 1908. Satina noted that this was the 2nd Chamber Music Concert of the Quartet of the Imperial Russian Music Society in Moscow. A review in Moskovskiy Vedomosti on January 9 indicates that Rachmaninoff played three of his preludes as an encore, while the review by Grigory Prokofiev in the Russkoi Muzikalnoi Gazeti provides the details: Prelude in D minor, op. 23, no. 3, Prelude in G minor, op. 23, no. 5, and Prelude in G flat major, op. 23, no. 10. Vladimir Bakaleinikov, the violist in the quartet, would later conduct concerts in America with Rachmaninoff. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 7 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Chamber Musician and Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina notes that this was Alexander Siloti’s 3rd Chamber Music Concert of the season. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
January 10 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina dated this concert as January 1, yet placed it in her list after a concert on January 7. It is therefore presumed that the initial listing was a typographical error. Satina indicated that this was the 6th of Alexander Siloti’s Symphonic Concerts. The works by Noren, Sibelius and Glazunov are noted with the word ‘manuscript’, likely indicating that the works were yet to be published. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
February 16,1909
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: Satina noted that Rachmaninoff played solos at this concert, and the attached program confirms the performance of three preludes. A review in the Dresdner Nachrichten lists the keys of the preludes (albeit with F sharp major noted instead of G flat major), and indicates the Prelude in C sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2, was given as an encore. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 15 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 5th Symphony Concert of the season for the Moscow Philharmonic Society. Rachmaninoff substituted for Arthur Nikisch, who was ill. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 18 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Satina notes that this was the 6th Symphony Concert of the season for the Moscow Philharmonic Society, and that this was the first performance of Isle of the Dead. Rachmaninoff substituted for Arthur Nikisch, who was ill. Satina adds that ‘he accepted only two concerts and rushed back to Dresden’, which places doubt on whether Rachmaninoff similarly substituted for Nikisch in a third concert on April 27 (Julian calendar). Martyn lists the later concert; Satina did not. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
April 27 1909 (Julian calendar)
Rachmaninoff's role: Conductor
Notes: Martyn and Keldysh (p. 293) indicate that this was a Gogol centenary concert, yet Satina did not include it in her materials. Indeed, her note for the concert on April 18 states that Rachmaninoff subsequently 'rushed back to Dresden'. Keldysh notes the inclusion of M.N. Ermolova and A.I. Yuzhin, not mentioning Dobrovolsky, but nevertheless stating that the 'biggest stars of the Moscow drama and opera theatre took part'. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 4 1909
Rachmaninoff's role: Solo Pianist
Notes: Satina noted that this was the first appearance of Rachmaninoff in the USA. Precise details of keys were not given, hence it is not possible to determine whether the Prelude in ‘D’ is op. 23 no. 3 or no. 4. She noted that ‘the Mason and Hamlin piano was used’, as was also noted for some other venues on this tour. At the time Satina compiled these materials on Rachmaninoff's concert career, she was employed at Smith College, later becoming an Associate Professor of Botany there. LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89.
November 8 1909
Rachmaninoff's role: Concerto Soloist
Notes: LoC, Sergei Rachmaninoff Archive, ML31.R33, Papers of Sophie Satin, boxes 82-89. Press: Philadelphia Inquirer 1909.11.07 p. 9.