Sergei Rachmaninoff was a legendary Russian composer and pianist who emigrated after the Communist revolution of 1917, and became one of the highest paid concert stars of his time, and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century. He was born on April 2, 1873, on a large estate near Novgorod, Russia. He was the fourth of six children born to a noble family, and lived in a family ground, where he enjoyed a happy childhood. He studied music with his mother from forth age; continued at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and then graduated from the Moscow Conservatory in 1892, winning the Great Gold Medal for his new opera "Aleko. Estate – земельный участок Noble – знатный, благородный

He was highly praised by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who promoted Rachmaninoff's opera to the Bolshoi Theater in But the disastrous premiere of his 1st Symphony, poorly conducted by A. Glazunov, caused him to suffer from depression, which breaked in his career for three years until he adressed medical help in He had a three-month treatment by a hypnotherapist, aimed at overcoming his writer's block. Rachmaninov composed his brilliant 2nd Piano Concerto, and made a comeback with successful concert performances. From he was a conductor at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Praise – хвалить Disastrous – гибельный, бедственный Break in – прерывать Overcoming – преодоление Block – блокировка Conductor - дирижер

In 1909 Rachmaninoff made his first tour of the United States having composed the 3rd Piano Concerto as a calling card. He appeared as a soloist with Gustav Mahler conducting the New York Philharmonic. His further work on connecting Russian music with English literature culminated in his adaptation of a poem by Edgar Allan Poe into choral symphony, "The Bells," which Rachmaninoff considered to be the best of his works. In 1915 he wrote the choral masterpiece: "All-Night Vigil. The Russian Revolution of 1917 and the destruction of his estate forced him to emigrate. On December 23, 1917, Rachmaninoff left Russia on an open sledge carrying only a few books of sheet music.Gustav MahlerEdgar Allan Poe Calling card – визитная карточка Choral – хоровой Force - заставить

As a pianist, Rachmaninoff made over a hundred recordings and gave over one thousand concerts in America alone between 1918 and His concert performances were legendary, and he was highly regarded as a virtuoso-pianist with unmatched power and expressiveness. Unusually wide chords and deeply romantic melody lines were characteristic of his compositions. Besides his own music, he often performed pieces byLudwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In 1931, Rachmaninov signed a letter condemning the Soviet regime, that was published in the New York Times. There was repayment immediately, and his music was condemned by the Soviet. However, the official censorship in the Soviet Union could not stop the popularity of Rachmaninov's music in the rest of the world. During the 1930s and 1940s, he remained one of the highest paid concert stars.Ludwig van BeethovenFrédéric ChopinFranz LisztPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Regard – рассматривать, уважать Unmatched- бесподобный Expressiviness – выразительность Chord – аккорд Condemning – осуждение Censorship – цензура In the rest of world – в остальном мире Remain - оставаться

At his home on Elm Drive in Beverly Hills Rachmaninoff had two Steinway pianos which he played together with Vladimir Horowitz and other entertainers. His love of fast cars was second to music, and led him to occasional fines for exceeding the speed limit. Since he bought his first car in 1914, Rachmaninoff acquired a taste for fast cars, buying himself a new car every year. His generosity was legendary. He gave away 5000 dollars to Igor Sikorsky to start an American helicopter industry. He paid for Vladimir Nabokov and his family movement from Paris to New York. He sponsored Michael Chekhov and introduced him to Hollywood. Rachmaninoff gave numerous generous performances, and gave large sums of money to the Russia fighting the Nazis during the Second world war. He became a US citizen in 1943, just a few days before his death. In his last recital, in February, 1943, Rachmaninoff played Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2, featuring the famous "Funeral march." He died on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills, California, and was buried in Kensico Cemetery, New York.Vladimir HorowitzIgor SikorskyVladimir NabokovMichael Chekhov Entertainer – конферансье Fine – штраф Acquire – приобретать Generosity – щедрость Introduce – ввести Recital - сольный концерт