Sergei Vassilievitch Rachmaninoff was born March 29th, 1873, at Onega in
the government of Novgorod, Russia. He entered the Petrograd
Conservatory in 1882, studying piano in the class of Demyaresky, theory
in that of Professor L. A. Sacchetti. In 1885 he entered the Moscow
Conservatory, studying under Zviereiff, Taneyef and Arensky. His first
public appearance as a pianist took place in 1892. He has been composing
steadily since 1894. His first symphony was produced by Glazounof in
1895. His European tours commenced in 1899. In 1903 he taught in the
Moscow Maryinsky Institute. From 1904 to 1906 he conducted at the
Imperial Opera in Moscow. His own operas, "The Miser Knight" and
"Francesca da Rimini," were performed at that time. After 1907 he lived
in Dresden. His first American tour took place in 1909. His second began
in 1918.
Among Rachmaninoff's works are three operas, "Aleko," "The Miser
Knight," "Francesca da Rimini"; two symphonies, Opus 13 and Opus 27;
three concertos for pianoforte, Opus 1, 18 and 30; a symphonic poem "Die
Toteninsel," Opus 29; a work for chorus and orchestra, "The Bells"; two
'cello sonatas, Opus 19 and Opus 28; a pianoforte trio, Opus 9; piano
pieces, Opera 3, 5, 10, 16, 23, 32; and numerous songs.