Sergei Rachmaninoff: A Lifetime in Music

Sergei Rachmaninoff A Lifetime in MusicSergei Bertensson and Jay Leyda, with the assistance of Sophia SatinaWith a new introduction by David ButlerCannataAn indispensable and captivating document, now back inprint!Throughout his career as composer, conductor, and pianist, Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) was an intensely private individual. WhenBertensson and Leyda’s 1956 biography appeared, it lifted the veil of secrecy fromseveral areas of Rachmaninoff’s life, especially concerning the genesis of hiscompositions and how their critical reception affected him.Theauthors consulted a number of people who knew Rachmaninoff, who worked with him, andwho corresponded with him. Even with the availabilty of such sources and full accessto the Rachmaninoff Archive at the Library of Congress, Bertensson, Leyda, and weretireless in their pursuit of privately held documents, particularly correspondence.The wonderfully engaging product of their labors masterfully incorporates primarymaterials into the narrative. Almost half a century after it first appeared, thisvolume remains essential reading.Sergei Bertensson, who knewRachmaninoff, published other works on music and film, often with a documentaryemphasis.Jay Leyda wrote extensively on Russian music and film, as well as on American literature.David Butler Cannata isProfessor of Music at Boyer College of Music, TempleUniversity.Sophia Satina was Rachmaninoff’s sister-in-law andcousin.Russian Music Studies – Malcolm Hamrick Brown, foundingeditor