Composer: Sergie Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943)
Sergie Rachmaninoff, a Russian composer, pianist and conductor is considered one of the greatest composers of the late 20th century. Born into a musical family, one of six children of an ex-army officer, he began learning the piano from his mother at age four and by age six was studying with a graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory.
By the time Sergie was 8, his father had frittered away the family fortune, forcing them to sell the last remaining estate and move to St. Petersburg where Sergei had a scholarship to the St. Petersburg Conservatory. But he was not a good student – he was often truant and didn’t apply himself to his studies. His mother intervened and made arrangements for the 12-year old Sergei to move and study at the Moscow Conservatory.
His teacher there was a strict disciplinarian and required him to practice three hours a day in addition to composition, conducting and regular studies. His piano technique improved greatly coinciding with his physical growth. Rachmaninoff grew to more than 6 feet tall and had very large hands. In 1892, at age 19, Rachmaninoff graduated and was award a "great gold medal."
In 1894, while he was teaching music at a Ladies' Academy, Sergie wrote the this set of duets in the popular salon style.
Recorded June 5-6, 2016
Piano: 2003 Steinway & Sons "B"
No. 1 Barcarolle (6:02) | Angela French, primo; Jennifer Ferguson, secondo
No. 2 Scherzo (3:45) | Angela French, primo; Jennifer Ferguson, secondo
No. 3 Russian Theme (4:20) | Angela French, primo; Jennifer Ferguson, secondo
No. 4 Valse (4:58) | Angela French, primo; Jennifer Ferguson, secondo
No. 5 Romance (3:07) | Jennifer Ferguson, primo; Angela French, secondo
No. 6 Slava (6:27) | Jennifer Ferguson, primo; Angela French, secondo
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