Product Description
When Bertensson and Leyda's 1956 biography appeared, it lifted the veil of secrecy from several areas of of the intensely private Sergei Rachmaninoff's (1873-1943) life, especially concerning the genesis of his compositions and how their critical reception affected him. David Cannata's new introduction summarizes what has happened in Rachmaninoff scholarship since the book was first published. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Everything you always wanted to know about S.V.
A Lifetime in Music is a very complete and thorough biography of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff. It is written in a chronological order and offers many excerpts from his letters to his friends and colleagues, giving insight in his state of mind, his successes and his failures. Once you plunge in, it is hard to put the book away again. Rachmaninoff comes across as a very sympathetic man, a very interesting composer, an exceptionally good pianist and conductor, as well as a fine person (husband and father). Especially for those who like to play his music this book can offer an extra dimension. I loved it!

a superb and cleverly constructed biography
This 1956 book is a 2001 reissue and might qualify as the seminal book to appreciate the life of Sergei Rachmaninoff. It comprises some commentary by Bertensson and Leyda (they act as interlocutors of a sort), but,more importantly, it is a series of lengthy excerpts from letters by Rachmaninoff, family, friends, music critics and newspapers; carefully arranged with commentary by time and place to give an in depth and candid overview of the life of this composer, pianist and conductor. While the authors' gentle and admiring sensitivity to the composer enhance the story, their touch is neither intrusive nor annoying. Criticism comes from various music critics identified by name, date of the performance and publication. The appendix is a complete and valued listing of Rachmaninoff's work and records at the time of publishing. A learned introduction is provided by a professor from Temple University.

The role of music critic during his time had more influence than it does in today's world. In 1919, after
a performance, a typically snotty Boston critic challenged Rachmaninoff whether real genius was compatible with popularity. The shy, affable Rachmaninoff responded "Yes, I believe it is possible to be very serious, to have something to say, and at the same time to be popular. I believe that. Others do not. They think - what you think."A century after his riposte, there is hardly- and hardly has been - a season for any symphony which does not include the Rhapsody, the Concertos and the Symphonies.

His Second and Third Concertos have been fertile soil for movie themes since the 1920s; in "Brief Encounter," his Second Concerto is as much a star as Trevor Howard. The First Movement of the Third Concerto was snapped up by Philip Glass in his theme music for "the Hours." The list goes on and on.

As a pianist, his commitment to performing was passionate throughout his life continuing up until just before his death in 1943. In 1942 alone, he gave 41 performances. His fees for these late-in-life performances were for the relief of the Russian people during the German invasion. Rachmaninoff was an impresario pianist, familiar with and expert in the playing his compositions and the works of Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin. One of Saint Saens piano concertos was so complex and difficult that Saint Saens asked Rachmaninoff to premiere the work rather than Saint Saens himself.

The trajectory of his life astonishes; born and trained in Russia, escaping his beloved country one month after the October 1917 Revolution, escaping the impending war in Europe in 1939, to living in the New York and Los Angeles at the end of his death. Tchaikovsky was his mentor; Tolstoy, one who counseled him early in his life; Chaliapin, Rimsky Korsakov and Horwitz, close friends; Koussevitzky,his agent and intermediary in the United States and Europe; and Ormandy, the most trusted conductor of his favorite symphonies. What is especially enjoyable is reading the letters and the comments of many of these notables on their influence and involvement in Rachmaninoff extraordinary career and life.

A great resource
Well written and richly informative. A great standard biography about one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Contains letters written by the composer himself, as well as the words of those who knew Sergei personally. Well worth purchasing if you are a pianist/musician who wants to have a deeper understanding of Rachmaninoff's life and and times.

This book is excellent
I found this book extremely helpful and a joy to read. I have used it as a resource for a Rachmaninoff class that i am creating and also for my own pleasure. It spans through Rachmaninoff's life, going in-depth to look at glimpses of Rachmaninoff's life with family, and then meticulously explores his music career.It looks into what inspired him, his meetings with other famous composers, his performances, and includes many letters about his personal life that he wrote to his family and friends. Overall, an excellent look into the life of a composer about whom we do not know much.

A must-have for any Rachmaninoff lover.
This book is very thouroughly written, drawing on resources of Rachmaninoff's relatives, letters that Rachmaninoff himself wrote, and of personal interactions.It gives a glimpse into Rachmaninoff's private life, which very little is known about, and shows Rachmaninoff for the true musical genius that he is. ... Read more

Product Description
Demands from pianists after seeing the movie Shine have brought this excepted piano solo version of the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto to life. This arrangement is for advanced duet (two pianos/four hands). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Quite possibly the hardest piano music ever written - but well worth it
I bought this piece of sheet music after my teacher recommended it as a 'good piano competition piece.' I had already worked on most of Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto (also very difficult) and the third movement of Mozart's 17th concerto.I would definitely not recommend getting this piece if you don't have a MAJOR desire to learn it as it is very difficult.However, the piece is extremely beautiful, and technically showy (which is why it is a 'good competition piece') - probably my favorite piece of sheet music at the moment.I have been playing piano for 12 years and would consider myself fairly advanced - but I still anticipate it taking at least 6-8 months to learn this piece, and that's practicing it up to and about 1 hour per day.Rachmaninoff wrote a masterpiece and it is considered today to be one of the most beautiful and difficult piano concertos, up there with Tchaikovsky's 1st.This edition has a limited amount of fingerings, but it is easily readable and not over-edited like some editions.I wholeheartedly recommend it but will warn you again not to attempt to learn it unless you have a strong desire to do so.

based on schrimer's edition
This is a great jazz etude... Rachmaninoff wrote some really cool harmonies, especially for 1910 or whatever... with polychords, minor major 7ths, dominant b13, block chords... excellent! It's a difficult read, and I still can't play it full speed, but read through this piece and you will feel confident that you can play anything.

One of the Greatest piano concertos arranged for 2 pianos.
for those of u that saw "shrine" i guess u already discovered the "magical" feeling after hearing this piece.w/ this arrangement the piece could be played by two ppl instead of w/ the orch... makes things simplier but sounds just as nice. ... Read more

Product Description
Sergei Rachmaninoff was a renowned composer, pianist, and conductor. Because he was a member of the Russian aristocracy, he fled the country after the tsar's abdication, and eventually relocated in the United States. Many of his compositions are for piano, yet he also composed orchestral and symphony works, three operas, choral and liturgical works, some chamber works, and numerous songs. This guide catalogues his numerous works and performances, provides a detailed bibliography, and includes a discography of recordings released within the last half-century. ... Read more

Product Description
A fine collection of Rachmaninoff's most famous masterpieces arranged for solo piano. An essential addition to your piano library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Rachmaninoff Gold
I purchased this book at the local music store and overall I am pleased with it, but I do have a few complaints. One is that they simplified some of the pieces and included some other less important pieces under the guise of "Essential Pieces by Rachmaninoff" although this can be a good in the case of certain less known pieces that were included such as the Nocturne No.1 in F-sharp minor. Overall it's a decent book with good fingerings, it just falls short for these few simple flaws. ... Read more

Product Description
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) is now widely regarded as one of the greatest 20th-century composers and pianists.In this illuminating and accessible biography, Max Harrison covers the span of Rachmaninoff's life, taking in his career as composer, pianist and conductor, offering full analyses of his scores and a uniquely detailed treatment of his 1919-1942 recordings.A fascinating account of the man, his life and work, this book sheds much new light on its subject and the ways that Rachmaninoff was viewed during his own time and beyond. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

best yet on rocky
Harrison's is the most detailed, informative book on Rachmaninoff to be written and it will be hard to top. The great thing about it is how much in depth Max goes on the various Opi by Rach- chronologically. He goes into the relationships to other composers and pieces in the R Opus in more detail than other writers. It is interesting to ponder that critics who panned Rachmaninoff (in favor of the atonal school or more "daring" composers like Stravinsky and Prokofiev- who are- through Rimsky- clearly related to Rachmaninoff as are all the Russians)but Harrison does not waste time on that, nor more speculative matters. If critics are to music what pigeons are to statues- well, Harrison is not!Most of the other reviewers have said it well, but, to add to their reviews- may I draw the Rachmaninoff fan's attention to a couple of things- the Rachmaninoff Society- which you can join-Threllfall's must to have Bibliography of R's works and the wonderful collection of Rach videos on You Tube- especially the family movies!! I have written casually abt R on my web site- nothing book length, mind you!

A Labour of love
This is one of those rare books once you begin reading it, it is impossible to put it down. The bright and vivid image of Rachmaninov appears clearly with myriads of subtle details in his noble character. His compositions and his own recordings are presented in the context of his life, which makes the reading very enjoyable; writing stile is non-pretentious, intelligent and adds to overall experience of rediscovering Rachmaninov's legacy. The grand scope in exposition of biographical material is simply stunning. I would hearty recommend reading this work to anyone who loves Rachmaninov's music.

The best of a mediocre bunch
Rachmaninoff has never had the authoritative biography that he deserves as one of the greatest composers and pianists of the last two centuries. Nor is this that definitive book. However, it is the most recent, and in many ways it supersedes all previous biographies, although there is still value in the Bertensson-Leyda and (to a lesser extent) the Martyn and Walker books.

It has some great strengths. First, it covers Rachmaninoff's life and career in some (not exhaustive) detail. Second, it discusses his entire compositional career more thoroughly and accurately than any previous book. Third, unlike some other biographies, it unashamedly defends Rachmaninoff's music and style from the foolish and ignorant criticisms that were common for much of the 20th century. Record collectors and piano aficionados will also find it valuable for its thorough discussion of Rachmaninoff's recordings as both pianist and conductor.

The book's major weakness, as with most previous biographies, lies in its analyses. Harrison offers many insights into Rachmaninoff's works, but he also repeats some of the stale and superficial clichés of Rachmaninoff criticism. For example, he finds quotations of the Dies Irae chant in dozens of pieces, when in fact Rachmaninoff only quoted the Dies Irae in four: Isle of the Dead, Paganini Rhapsody, Third Symphony, and Symphonic Dances. Themes in other works, such as the First Symphony, may resemble Dies Irae, but analysis shows clearly that they are different and are treated differently. And because Harrison clings to this shallow and inaccurate "insight," he misses some of the real strengths of Rachmaninoff's music--for instance, that the entire First Symphony is obsessively based on just two themes and one melodic turn. To be fair, no previous Rachmaninoff book has been strong in analysis. And despite these weaknesses, this is still the best that has yet appeared.

A contemporary musicologist's take on Rachmaninov's works
Max Harrison's expertise as a top-notch musicologist is used to full advantage in this masterfully-researched and written biography of Rachmaninov. Like other reviewers, I found Harrison's very detailed assessments of each of Rachmaninov's published works to be incredibly informative. Take, for example, his view that Rachmaninov was, despite popular wisdom to the contrary, an excellent composer of large-scale symphonies. That the shoddy treatment given his first symphony reflected far more the narrow-mindedness and incompetence of the conductor, orchestra, and critics than any real shortcomings in this grand and beautiful work by a young and very talented composer.

Biography on Rachmaninoff
In this biography Max Harrison reminds us that Rachmaninoff excelled as a fine composer, one of the greatest pianists in the history of an instrument that has never lacked outstanding players, and he was also a fine conductor. Yet he was basically shy and retiring, insecure and extremely self critical. His portraits show a tall serious figure, his music often demonstrating a morbid fascination with death, through recurring references to the Dies Irae. Yet his music is supremely warm and melodic, and for this Rachmaninoff was often mercilessly slated by the critics who ought to have know better as Harrison states, when analyzing the beautiful Second Symphony, "Rachmaninoff's symphonies should be assessed, not in relation to precepts derived from Beethoven and Brahms. With Rachmaninoff different types of thematic material and musical processes, of moods and feelings, are brought into varying degrees of conflict and finally resolved in ways that are personal and formally satisfying. Logically sustained argument has its role but an instinctive drama of the emotions is this music's chief thrust, its final import being the struggle between representations of the forces of life and death." Like Elgar, Rachmaninoff in the 1920s, felt himself and his music to be out of joint with the times, romanticism was out of fashion, swept away on a tide of vulgarity and atonality. Harrison offers detailed analyses of all the works and does not hesitate to shoot down critics and writers who wrote negatively about his music. Harrison's style of writing is very easy to follow for those who have difficulty comprehending technical terms in music.The book unfortunately has no pictures, but it does include a chronological list of works, an extensive bibliography, two indexes, one of the composer's works and over 50 musical examples. This is one of the best biographies available today and I think any one who reads it will have so much more appreciation for of one of the 20th century's greatest composers, first and foremost, but also Rachmaninoff should be remembered as a brilliant pianist and a fine conductor.

... Read more

Product Description
This Rachmaninoff urtext edition can be ordered through any Alfred retailer using the item number 27003. Although this Belwin edition is permanently out of print, it has been re-issued by Alfred with a new cover, yet the interior is identical to the original Belwin publication. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Review of Rachmaninoff - Composer Pianist Conductor
The book is titled Rachmaninoff - Composer, Pianist, Conductor and is divided into sections which study each of these areas in the great composer's career. Rachmaninoff had many talents and at various times in his life pursued all of them. Composing was his first love, but thedisasterous premier of his first symphony almost wrecked that career. Afterrecovering from depression and regaining his skills, Rachmaninoff made aname for himself as a conductor. Then chased out of Russia by therevolution, he became a concert pianist to make a living and earnedworld-wide fame as an interpretor.

Barrrie Martyn's book is definitive indelving into these three lives particularly the section on the composer.All of Rachmaninoff's works are discussed in great detail with musicalexamples. The appendix contains his entire discography as well as all theworks conducted and concerts given. No Rachmaninoff fan or music historianshould be without this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This series of biographies presents the great composers against the background of their times. Each draws on personal letters and recollections, engravings, paintings and, when they exist, photographs, to present a complete picture of the composer’s life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good beginner's book!
A great introduction to the life and works of Sergei Rachmaninoff.This book is geared towards younger readers (teenagers) but adults will find the text and photographs to their liking as well. ... Read more

Product Description
New G. Schirmer Library editions of these well-known Rachmaninoff pieces for piano. ... Read more

Product Description
An anthology of selected works by Rachmaninoff based on the first editions corrected by the composer and the versions found in the Complete Works of Rachmaninoff published in Russia since 1949. Includes Prelude in C# Minor, Op. 3, No. 2, Humoresque in G, Op. 10, No. 5 and many others. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Disappointing, to me
Most of the book is virtually a catalog of what Rachmaninoff composed/played/conducted and when, with critics' comments frequently attached. Only toward the end of the book do we really begin to learn about Rachmaninoff's dealings with other people or his home and family - in other words, what he was like as a man. In the whole book, his sister gets one early mention and his mother three. I'd have liked to have got a better picture of the person. ... Read more

Product Description
Sergei Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, for advanced piano duet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great!
The piece itself is great, as you might already know. This edition of the score is clean and clear, and I feel very comfortable reading it.

My favorite piece for the piano
Many people are familiar with the 18th variation of "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini" from the movie "Somewhere in Time."It's a very romantic piece.If you familiar with the 18th variation only, youshould treat yourself to listening to all the variations played back toback in the "Rhapsody."

This book has those variations whichhave been reduced by Rachmaninoff for two pianos/four hands.I wish, ofcourse, it had been a piano solo, because I would probably get a lot moreuse out of it.

"Rhapsody" is strictly for the advanced pianist. This edition has no fingering notations which would have been helpful forall except the most advanced players.And, those players may findRachmaninoff's "Rhapsody" not as challenging or rewarding becauseof the repetition involved in its themes.However, I find"Rhapsody" very rewarding to play largely due to its romanticthemes and its capacity for expressive interpretations.The 18th variationplayed by itself is an enjoyable recital piece.I give this book myhighest recommendation. ... Read more

Product Description
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, this extraordinary series continues to amaze and captivate its readers with detailed insight into the lives and work of music's geniuses. Unlike other composer biographies that focus narrowly on the music, this series explores the personal history of each composer and the social context surrounding the music. In a precise, engaging, and authoritative manner, each volume combines a vivid portrait of the master musicians' inspirations, influences, life experiences, even their weaknesses, with an accessible discussion of their work-all in roughly 300 pages. Further, each volume offers superb reference material, including a detailed life and times chronology, a complete list of works, a personalia glossary highlighting the important people in the composer's life, and a select bibliography. Under the supervision of music expert and series general editor Stanley Sadie, Master Musicians will certainly proceed to delight music scholars, serious musicians, and all music lovers for another hundred years. ... Read more