Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff[a] (Russian: Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов, Sergej Vasil’evič Rakhmaninov, 1 April 1873 [O.S. 20 March]–28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. He was one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, the last great representative of Russian late Romanticism in classical music. Early influences of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and other Russian composers gave way to a thoroughly personal idiom which included a pronounced lyricism, expressive breadth, structural ingenuity and a tonal palette of rich, distinctive orchestral colors.[1]
Understandably, the piano figures prominently in Rachmaninoff's compositional output, either as a solo instrument or as part of an ensemble. He made it a point, however, to use his own skills as a performer to explore fully the expressive possibilities of the instrument. Even in his earliest works, he revealed a sure grasp of idiomatic piano writing and a striking gift for melody. In some of his early orchestral pieces, he showed the first signs of a talent for tone painting which he would perfect in The Isle of the Dead,[2] and he began to show a similar penchant for vocal writing in two early sets of songs, Opp. 4 and 8.[3] Rachmaninoff's masterpiece, however, is his choral symphony The Bells, in which all of his talents are fused and unified.[4]
Rachmaninoff sometimes felt threatened by the success of modernists such as Scriabin and Prokofiev and wondered whether to cease composing even before he left Russia.[5] His musical philosophy was rooted in the Russian spiritual tradition, where the role of the artist was to create beauty and to speak the truth from the depths of his heart.[6] In his last major interview, in 1941, he admitted his music, like Russian music, was a product of his temperament.[7] He said, on another occasion, "The new kind of music seems to create not from the heart but from the head. Its composers think rather than feel. They have not the capacity to make their works exalt—they meditate, protest, analyze, reason, calculate and brood, but they do not exalt."[8]
Music samples
-
[edit] As performer
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Rachmaninoff playing the first 4 minutes of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, recorded in 1919 by Edison Records The Maiden's Wish From his 1942 recording of The Maiden's Wish by Chopin, arranged for solo piano by Liszt Prelude in C-sharp minor The notorious Prelude in C-sharp minor (Op. 3, No. 2), which he composed when he was 19, established his fame in America. [edit] As composer
Étude-Tableau in E-flat minor Karine Gilanyan performing Étude-Tableau in E-flat minor, Op. 39, No. 5 (4:31, 8.48 MB) . Courtesy of Musopen Piano Concerto No. 2, I. Moderato Performed by the Skidmore College Orchestra. Courtesy of Musopen - Problems playing the files? See media help.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Rachmaninoff
- Rachmaninoff Society, Vladimir Ashkenazy President
- (German) German Rachmaninoff page
- Rachmaninoff's Works for Piano and Orchestra: Analysis of Rachmaninoff's Works for Piano and Orchestra
- Sergei Rachmaninoff discography at MusicBrainz
- Complete list of Rachmaninoff's performances as a conductor
- Works by or about Sergei Rachmaninoff in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
- (French) A complete and precise French site on Rachmaninoff
- (Russian) A complete list of Rachmaninoff's works
- Biography at allmusic.com
- Memorial Page at FindaGrave
****************************************************************************************************************
****************************************************************************************************************
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich listen (Russian: Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906 – August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period.
After a period influenced by Prokofiev and Stravinsky (Symphony No. 1), Shostakovich embraced the modernist aesthetic (Symphony No. 2 and The Nose) before developing a hybrid of styles with Lady Macbeth and the withdrawn Fourth Symphony. Shostakovich's hybrid style juxtaposed a wide variety of trends within a single work, such as the neo-classical style (showing the influence of Stravinsky) and a form of post-romantic style (after Mahler). His unique approach to tonality involved the use of modal scales and some astringent neo-classical harmonies à la Hindemith and Prokofiev. His music frequently includes sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque.
Shostakovich prided himself on his orchestration, which is clear, economical, and well-projected. This aspect of Shostakovich's technique owes more to Gustav Mahler than Rimsky-Korsakov. His most popular works are his 15 symphonies and 15 string quartets. His works for piano include 2 piano sonatas, an early set of preludes, and a later set of 24 preludes and fugues. Other works include two operas, six concertos, and a substantial quantity of film music.
Shostakovich had a complex and difficult relationship with the Soviet government, suffering two official denunciations of his music, in 1936 and 1948, and the periodic banning of his work. At the same time, he received a number of accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet. Despite the official controversy, his works were popular and well liked; he is now held to be, as Grove's judges him, the most talented Soviet composer of his generation.[1]
David Fanning concludes in Grove that, "Amid the conflicting pressures of official requirements, the mass suffering of his fellow countrymen, and his personal ideals of humanitarian and public service, he succeeded in forging a musical language of colossal emotional power."[2] Shostakovich is now regarded as "the most popular composer of serious art music of the middle years of the 20th century".[3]
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitri_Shostakovich
- http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Dmitry_Shostakovich_24851/24851.htm
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYOpnq6h_Ms
The youtube above: RARE: Young Shostakovich Playing end of op.35 (1934 )
*****************************************************************************************************************
YUASA, TAKUO photograph
Takuo Yuasa was born in Osaka where he studied piano, cello, flute and clarinet. At eighteen he left Japan to study in the United States at the University of Cincinnati, where he completed a Bachelor Degree in Theory and Composition. He later moved to Europe to study conducting with Hans Swarowsky at the Hochschule in Vienna, then with Igor Markevich in France and with Franco Ferrara in Siena before he became assistant to Lovro von Matacic, working with him in Monte Carlo, Milan and Vienna. Since winning a Special Award at the Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Katowice, Poland, Takuo Yuasa has frequently conducted the major orchestras there, including the Warsaw National Philharmonic and Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestras.
Takuo Yuasa conducts several of the main Japanese orchestras, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the Osaka Century Orchestra, with which he has conducted complete cycles of Brahms and Schumann symphonies. Outside Japan he has conducted the Oslo Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, London Philharmonic, New Zealand Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Brabants Orkest, Luxemburg Philharmonic, Adelaide and Queensland Symphony Orchestras and in the Unied Kingdom he has been a frequent visitor to the Hallé Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, while his musicianship and infectious leadership has attracted several European music conservatories and the national youth orchestras of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire to engage him to conduct a new generation of performer. He has held long-term positions as Principal Conductor of the Gumma Symphony Orchestra in Japan, as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and as the hugely successful Principal Guest Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra in Northern Ireland, a position he held for eight years.
He has a successful recording career as an exclusive Naxos artist with orchestras including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and others. His versatility and breadth of repertoire are recognised by orchestras around the world which engage him to conduct standard core repertoire as well as less well-known pieces by major composers.
| 2008 |
| JANUARY 10: | CC De Warande Koninklijk Filharmonisch Orkest van Vlaanderen (www.kfovv.be) Program: SVENDSEN: Noors kunstenaarsfestival op.14 TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, op.35 LUMBYE: Salut for August Bournonville LUMBYE: Koningin Louise LUMBYE: Kopenhagens Stoomspoorweg galop LUMBYE: Champagne galop STRAUSS. J (II): Champagne Polka STRAUSS. J (II): Weiner Blut op.354 STRAUSS. J (II): Explosions polka op.43 STRAUSS. J (II): kaiser-walzer op.437 |
| JANUARY 12: | Koningin Elisabeth zaal Antwerpen Promoter: Koninklijk Filharmonisch Orkest van Vlaanderen Program: TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, op.35 PROKOFIEV: Symphony No. 6 |
| MARCH 13-15: | Arts Centre, Aberystwyth (Mar 13) Pritchard Hall (Mar 14) William Aston Hall, Wrexham (Mar 15) BBC National Orchestra of Wales (www.bbc.co.uk/wales/now) Program: DVORAK: Hussite Overture MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K219 SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1 |
| APRIL 23- 24: | Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (www.bsolive.com) Program: DVORAK: Violin Concerto in A minor BRAHMS: Symphony No. 2 |
| MAY 31: | Osaka Century Orchestra |
 | |
| Albums featuring this artist are available for download from ClassicsOnline.com | |
| A TO Z OF CLASSICAL MUSIC | 8.555319-20 |
| AKUTAGAWA: Ellora Symphony / Trinita Sinfonica / Rhapsody | 8.555975 |
| AMERICAN CLASSICS SAMPLER | 8.559118 |
| Art & Music: Klimt - Music of His Time | 8.558146 |
| BEKKU: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 | 8.557763 |
| BEST OF BRITISH | 8.570573-74 |
| BRITTEN: Violin Concerto / Cello Symphony | 8.553882 |
| CLASSICS AT THE MOVIES: DIVAS | 8.556806 |
| Discover Music of the Twentieth Century | 8.558168-69 |
| DISCOVER THE CLASSICS, VOL. 3: The Concerto | 8.554486-87 |
| EASTER ALBUM (AN) | 8.570175-76 |
| FERRERO: Nueva Espana (La) | 8.555044 |
| GLASS, P.: Violin Concerto / Company / Prelude from Akhnaten | 8.554568 |
| GLASS, P.: Violin Concerto / Company / Prelude from Akhnaten | 8.559056 |
| HARTY: Comedy Overture (A) / Piano Concerto / Fantasy Scenes | 8.557731 |
| HONEGGER: Symphony No. 3, 'Liturgique' / Pacific 231 / Rugby | 8.555974 |
| KOEHNE: Inflight Entertainment / Powerhouse / Elevator Music | 8.555847 |
| LALO: Symphonie Espagnole / RAVEL / SAINT-SAENS / SARASATE | 8.225967 |
| LALO: Symphonie Espagnole / RAVEL / SAINT-SAENS / SARASATE | 8.555093 |
| LEVY: Cello Concerto / Symphony No. 3 / A Summer Overture | 8.559234 |
| MACDOWELL: Suites Nos. 1 and 2 / Hamlet and Ophelia | 8.559075 |
| MACMILLAN: Veni, Veni Emmanuel / Tryst | 8.554167 |
| MAYUZUMI: Bugaku / Mandala Symphony / Rumba Rhapsody | 8.557693 |
| MOROI: Symphony No. 3, Op. 25 / Sinfonietta, Op. 24 / Two Symphonic Movements, Op. 22 | 8.557162 |
| Music and Video Club Vol. 2 (UK Only) | 8.555082 |
| MUSIC TO DIE FOR | 8.557411 |
| NYMAN: Piano Concerto / Where the Bee Dances | 8.554168 |
| OHKI: Japanese Rhapsody / Symphony No. 5, 'Hiroshima' | 8.557839 |
| PART: Arvo Part - A Portrait (KIMBERLEY) | 8.558182-83 |
| PART: Tabula Rasa / Symphony No. 3 | 8.554591 |
| RAVEL (THE VERY BEST OF) | 8.552125-26 |
| RAWSTHORNE: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 | 8.555959 |
| REJOICE - A Vision of Christ Through Music | 8.570980 |
| RUBBRA: Violin Concerto, Op. 103 / Improvisations, Op. 89 | 8.557591 |
| SCHOENBERG: Verklarte Nacht / Chamber Symphony No. 2 | 8.554371 |
| STORY OF AMERICAN CLASSICAL MUSIC (THE) | 8.558164-65 |
| TAVENER: John Tavener - A Portrait (MCCLEERY) | 8.558152-53 |
| TAVENER: Protecting Veil / In Alium | 8.554388 |
| VIEUXTEMPS: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 | 8.554506 |
| VIEUXTEMPS: Violin Concertos Nos. 5, 6 and 7 | 8.557016 |
| WEBERN: Passacaglia / Symphony / Five Pieces | 8.554841 |
| YAMADA, K.: Nagauta Symphony / Meiji Symphony / Maria Magdalena | 8.557971 |
| YAMADA: Symphony in F Major, 'Triumph and Peace' | 8.555350 |
| YAMADA: Symphony in F Major, 'Triumph and Peace' | 8.555350J |
|
YASHIRO: Piano Concerto / Symphony
http://www.cduniverse.com/classical.asp?conductor=Takuo+Yuasa
Takuo Yuasa was born in Osaka where he studied piano, cello, flute and clarinet. At eighteen he left Japan to study in the United States at the University of Cincinnati, where he completed a Bachelor Degree in Theory and Composition. He later moved to Europe to study conducting with Hans Swarowsky at the Hochschule in Vienna, then with Igor Markevich in France and with Franco Ferrara in Siena before he became assistant to Lovro von Matacic, working with him in Monte Carlo, Milan and Vienna. Since winning a Special Award at the Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Katowice, Poland, Takuo Yuasa has frequently conducted the major orchestras there, including the Warsaw National Philharmonic and Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestras. Takuo Yuasa conducts several of the main Japanese orchestras, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the Osaka Century Orchestra, with which he has conducted complete cycles of Brahms and Schumann symphonies. Outside Japan he has conducted the Oslo Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, London Philharmonic, New Zealand Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Brabants Orkest, Luxemburg Philharmonic, Adelaide and Queensland Symphony Orchestras and in the Unied Kingdom he has been a frequent visitor to the Hallé Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, while his musicianship and infectious leadership has attracted several European music conservatories and the national youth orchestras of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire to engage him to conduct a new generation of performer. He has held long-term positions as Principal Conductor of the Gumma Symphony Orchestra in Japan, as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and as the hugely successful Principal Guest Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra in Northern Ireland, a position he held for eight years. He has a successful recording career as an exclusive Naxos artist with orchestras including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and others. His versatility and breadth of repertoire are recognised by orchestras around the world which engage him to conduct standard core repertoire as well as less well-known pieces by major composers.
more....
Discography |
8.555351 |
AKUTAGAWA: Ellora Symphony / Trinita Sinfonica / Rhapsody
