Biography of Sergei Rachmaninov

A Russian virtuoso pianist and composer in the Russian romantic style of piano and orchestral works; known for Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, for Piano & Orchestra, op. 43 (1934). Strange as it may seem, Rachmaninoff's popularity overshadows his contribution to music, which was the continuation of the traditions in sound of two other composers: Tchaikovsky (cf. Concerto no. 2 in c) and Grieg (the op. 43 Rhapsody). His symphonies, especially the Symphony no. 3, (1936), his tone poem The Isle of the Dead (1907); the Symphonic Dances (1940); and several choral works, including The Bells (1913) and Vespers (1915), can still be appreciated as innovations within these traditions -- as expansive in imagery and timbre as is the brilliance of his melodic sense for the piano. ~ Blue Gene Tyranny