Sergei Rachmaninoff

Here is a revised and improved memorial biography of Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff, based strictly on verifiable facts from reliable sources:

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff was born on 1 April 1873 (New Style; 20 March 1873, Old Style) into a Russian aristocratic family at the estate of Semyonovo, near Staraya Russa in the Novgorod Governorate (sometimes also referred to as Starorussky Uyezd). His birth was officially registered there, although he later cited the nearby estate of Oneg as his birthplace, where he was raised in childhood (en.wikipedia.org).

He began piano lessons at age four, initially taught by his mother, and later by Anna Ornatskaya, a graduate of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory who lived with the family (en.wikipedia.org). Rachmaninoff continued his formal musical education at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory (circa 1882–85), then at the Moscow Conservatory from 1885 until his graduation in 1892; his instructors included Nikolay Zverev, Alexander Siloti, Sergei Taneyev, and Anton Arensky (commons.wikimedia.org).

After graduation, Rachmaninoff soon achieved prominence as both composer and pianist. His Symphony No. 1 premiered in 1897 to poor reception, contributing to a creative depression; yet he recovered and completed the widely acclaimed Piano Concerto No. 2 in 1901, helped by therapy (en.wikipedia.org). He served as conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre from 1904 to 1906 and made his first concert tour of the United States in 1909 (en.wikipedia.org).

Rachmaninoff left Russia in the wake of the 1917 Revolution. In November 1918, he and his family emigrated to the United States, settling ultimately in New York. He spent summers at his Swiss villa “Senar” by Lake Lucerne from 1931 (findingaids.loc.gov). Although he continued composing, his output declined, with perhaps only six major works completed after emigration, including Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (1934), Symphony No. 3 (1936), and Symphonic Dances (1940) (en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org.ipns.s402.de).

In early 1942, increasingly afflicted by various ailments, he relocated to Beverly Hills, California, on medical advice. He and his wife became naturalized U.S. citizens in February 1943, shortly before his death. In March 1943, diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma, he passed away at his home in Beverly Hills on 28 March 1943 at age 69 (en.wikipedia.org). He was laid to rest in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, per his wishes (en.wikipedia.org).

Among his many honors, Rachmaninoff received the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal in 1932, one of the world’s most distinguished musical awards (en.wikipedia.org).

Notable works for which he is widely remembered include Symphony No. 1, All-Night Vigil, Piano Concerto No. 2, Prelude in C-sharp minor, Piano Concerto No. 1, Scherzo in D minor, Prince Rostislav, and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (commons.wikimedia.org).

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This revised biography preserves all verified dates, places, and accomplishments, presents a clear chronological narrative, and omits any unverified or speculative details.