Sergei Rachmaninoff spricht

English edition

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) is considered the most famous pianist of his time and the composer of some of the most enduring classics in the entire repertoire. In contrast to the generous expressiveness of his music and his piano playing, he was known as a reserved person with a serious, closed demeanor. In the interviews and conversations collected and published here for the first time, he speaks openly about his own compositions and the art of piano playing. He talks about his assessment of contemporary musical trends, Russian and American music and musical practice, his memories of his years in Russia, and his life in exile. He recounts the impact of foreign countries and travel on his artistic work and reports on his experiences as a composer, pianist, and conductor in the US and Europe. He also provides insights into aspects of his professional career, his family life, and his retreat in Switzerland. These interviews and conversations open up fascinating new perspectives on an extremely popular composer and musician, repeatedly revealing the person behind the public image.

"... At times, he analyzes his piano hit, the C-sharp minor Prelude, with great attention to detail. At other times, he expresses criticism of child prodigies. And, of course, he also reveals some of the secrets of his piano playing to the reader. Superbly translated from English by Barbara Barthelmes, reading this book is a true Rachmaninoff experience." (Guido Fischer, Rondo)

Edited and annotated by Geoffrey Norris.
Translated from English by Barbara Barthelmes.
Joint publication with the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation.

contents

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