Sergei Rachmaninov

Sergei Rachmaninov was a renowned Russian composer and one of the premier piano virtuosos of the 20th century. As the final major figure of Russian Romanticism, his work remained deeply rooted in 19th-century musical traditions despite the experimental shifts of his era. His genres most notably included his celebrated piano concerti, symphonies and choral works. After graduating from the Moscow Conservatory, he gained fame with his Prelude in C-sharp Minor and Piano Concerto No. 2, the latter of which helped him overcome a period of severe depression. Following the Russian Revolution, he lived in exile, focusing primarily on concertizing. His later notable works include the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.