Though not
considered an innovative composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) had a knack
for keeping the traditional in music fresh. His music combines Western
influences with those of his native Russia. Though he made his primary living
as a pianist, his compositional output is outstanding, ranging from works for
piano, orchestra, and voice!
Rachmaninoff
began his studies with piano under his mother’s tutelage. He later went on to
attend the St. Petersburg Conservatory where he remained until his parents
separated, causing his grades to suffer. At that point, he moved to the Moscow
Conservatory where he lived and studied with Nikolay Zverev. He met Tchaikovsky
during this time, who would have a great influence on the young composer.
Though primarily
known for his works incorporating the piano, Rachmaninoff also wrote art songs.
Today let’s look at an example that many may be familiar with, but unaware of
its origins. The 14 Songs, Op. 34 was
written for specific Russian singers based on their known talents. Rachmaninoff
chose poetry to set to music from popular poets including Pushkin, Tyutchev,
Polonsky, Khmyakov, Maykov, Korinfsky, and Bal’mont. The songs generally
contain simple vocal lines with accompaniments that emphasize certain parts of the
text. His famous “Vocalise” is the last song in this opus. Many of you may know
this piece from one of many instrumental arrangements that have developed since
the piece’s origin. In the beginning, however, it existed as a wordless song
that he wrote at Ivanovka, the family country estate. You can almost hear the
calm escape from the world that Rachmaninoff enjoyed at Ivanovka in “Vocalise.”
Below you can enjoy Kathleen Battle sing this beautiful song in its original
form.
