1 00:00:06,339 --> 00:00:09,339 Cold winds have swept the harvest land... 2 00:00:10,143 --> 00:00:13,143 and laid to waste my field of dreams... 3 00:00:14,180 --> 00:00:17,180 and scattered wide the ripening seeds 4 00:00:17,717 --> 00:00:20,619 which drift to earth upon the morrow... 5 00:00:20,620 --> 00:00:23,620 to die, or bring forth choking seeds... 6 00:00:25,191 --> 00:00:28,191 and bless the harvest of my sorrow 7 00:00:40,740 --> 00:00:43,342 ln December 1 91 7... 8 00:00:43,343 --> 00:00:46,343 the great Russian composer, conductor and pianist, Sergei Rachmaninoff... 9 00:00:48,681 --> 00:00:51,681 left the Finland Station in Petrograd - 10 00:00:51,851 --> 00:00:54,851 Leningrad, as it was to become - bound for Stockholm 11 00:01:01,861 --> 00:01:04,861 Taking advantage of an invitation to play for the Royal House of Sweden... 12 00:01:06,733 --> 00:01:09,733 Rachmaninoff decided to leave the growing chaos of Russia... 13 00:01:10,003 --> 00:01:13,003 following the Bolshevik Revolution 14 00:01:19,546 --> 00:01:22,546 With him were his two daughters and his wife 15 00:01:23,116 --> 00:01:26,116 His friends gave him warm clothes for the winterjourney 16 00:01:30,557 --> 00:01:33,557 Chaliapin brought him food and vodka 17 00:01:37,030 --> 00:01:39,598 Such was the hurry of his departure... 18 00:01:39,599 --> 00:01:42,599 that he took with him just one small bag - and his music case 19 00:01:45,438 --> 00:01:48,273 He was never to return 20 00:01:48,274 --> 00:01:51,274 He became, as he said, ''like a ghost wandering forever in the world'' 21 00:02:04,124 --> 00:02:06,692 lt is a curious story 22 00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:09,693 The older we get, the more we lose that divine confidence... 23 00:02:11,431 --> 00:02:13,365 which is the treasure of youth 24 00:02:13,366 --> 00:02:16,366 And the fewer are those moments when we believe that what we have done is any good 25 00:02:19,205 --> 00:02:22,205 Nowadays, l am rarely satisfied with myself... 26 00:02:22,942 --> 00:02:25,942 and almost never feel that what l do is successful 27 00:02:28,248 --> 00:02:31,248 l am burdened with a harvest of sorrow 28 00:02:32,318 --> 00:02:35,318 THE HARVEST OF SORROW 29 00:02:40,460 --> 00:02:43,460 But there is another burden, heavier still, unknown to me in my youth 30 00:02:45,798 --> 00:02:48,798 lt is that l have no country 31 00:02:49,469 --> 00:02:52,469 the memories of SERGEl RACHMANlNOFF 32 00:03:10,790 --> 00:03:13,559 You must know that l was forced to leave my homeland... 33 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,560 where l struggled and suffered all the sorrows of the young... 34 00:03:17,330 --> 00:03:20,330 and where l really did achieve great success 35 00:03:21,467 --> 00:03:24,467 Now, the whole world is open to me 36 00:03:25,138 --> 00:03:28,138 Success, apparently, awaits me everywhere 37 00:03:29,609 --> 00:03:32,609 But one place, and one place only, remains closed to me... 38 00:03:36,316 --> 00:03:39,316 and that is my own country, the land where l was born 39 00:03:55,335 --> 00:03:58,335 True, l have my music, and my memories... 40 00:04:00,506 --> 00:04:03,506 which l now put down for you, my dearest daughters, and your children 41 00:04:16,589 --> 00:04:19,589 And if it is true that a composer's music is the sum total of his experience... 42 00:04:22,695 --> 00:04:25,695 then it must express his love affairs, his religion... 43 00:04:27,033 --> 00:04:29,868 above all, the country of his birth 44 00:04:29,869 --> 00:04:32,869 And l was born... in Russia! 45 00:05:44,043 --> 00:05:47,043 l was born the fourth of six children... 46 00:05:47,146 --> 00:05:50,146 at Oneg, near Novgorod, two hours north of Moscow... 47 00:05:51,984 --> 00:05:54,984 on the banks of the river Volkhov, in the shadow of the church 48 00:06:51,377 --> 00:06:54,377 My father had been in the army and married a wealthy general's daughter... 49 00:06:56,616 --> 00:06:59,616 which perhaps accounts for my own military bearing 50 00:07:01,454 --> 00:07:04,454 But my father drank, enjoyed his women, and gambled... 51 00:07:07,393 --> 00:07:10,061 and soon we were forced to sell our estates... 52 00:07:10,062 --> 00:07:13,062 and move to ''temporary'' accommodation in the great city of St Petersburg 53 00:07:16,736 --> 00:07:19,736 Here l won a piano scholarship to the Conservatory in 1 883... 54 00:07:22,975 --> 00:07:25,975 when l was just 1 0 years old 55 00:09:03,309 --> 00:09:06,309 Opposite the Conservatory was the famous Mariinsky Theatre for opera and ballet... 56 00:09:09,448 --> 00:09:12,448 where the premieres of Swan Lake and Boris Godunov had recently taken place 57 00:09:15,488 --> 00:09:18,488 And it was here l realised that l must become a composer 58 00:09:29,735 --> 00:09:32,735 My studies went badly and when my sister Sofya died of diphtheria... 59 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:37,640 my mother decided this was the last straw... 60 00:09:38,010 --> 00:09:41,010 and blamed my father for our slum-like circumstances 61 00:09:42,848 --> 00:09:45,848 Shortly after, she left him, and l never saw my father again 62 00:09:47,553 --> 00:09:50,553 On the recommendation of my cousin, Alexander Siloti... 63 00:09:51,457 --> 00:09:54,457 l was packed off to Moscow to study and live with his professor, Nikolai Zverev... 64 00:09:57,897 --> 00:10:00,897 leaving behind my beloved Mariinsky Theatre 65 00:10:03,202 --> 00:10:06,202 Siloti, l discovered later, was the lover of Tchaikovsky... 66 00:10:07,707 --> 00:10:10,707 who thereby became my friend and mentor 67 00:10:14,513 --> 00:10:17,513 With Zverev, it was always practise, practise, practise 68 00:10:19,118 --> 00:10:21,620 Finally, l could take it no more... 69 00:10:21,621 --> 00:10:24,621 and moved out to live with my Aunt, Vavara Satina... 70 00:10:25,658 --> 00:10:28,658 her husband and her two daughters, Sofia and Natalya 71 00:10:30,496 --> 00:10:33,496 And every summer, we all travelled to their country estates... 72 00:10:34,433 --> 00:10:37,433 at lvanovka, 600 km southeast of Moscow 73 00:10:38,871 --> 00:10:41,871 And here, l once again discovered the country fairs... 74 00:10:42,875 --> 00:10:45,875 which l had earlier visited with my parents 75 00:10:45,945 --> 00:10:48,945 The sound of gypsies and of the local peasant choirs... 76 00:10:49,949 --> 00:10:52,949 made a profound impression upon me 77 00:13:07,953 --> 00:13:10,953 lvanovka! 20 years of my life were spent there 78 00:13:11,924 --> 00:13:14,924 Every Russian feels strong ties with the soil 79 00:13:16,095 --> 00:13:19,095 Perhaps it comes from an instinctive need for solitude 80 00:13:20,599 --> 00:13:23,599 The endless fields ofwheat, stretching as far as the eye could see 81 00:13:26,005 --> 00:13:29,005 The smell of the earth and all that grows and blossoms 82 00:13:30,042 --> 00:13:32,377 l felt so good there 83 00:13:32,378 --> 00:13:35,246 l could work, and work hard 84 00:13:35,247 --> 00:13:37,482 Most of my music was written there... 85 00:13:37,483 --> 00:13:40,483 and even when l left Russia, my music was inspired by there 86 00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:45,655 There, at last, l found blessed happiness 87 00:16:29,922 --> 00:16:32,922 Many artists, orchestra players, young pianists or vocalists... 88 00:16:39,231 --> 00:16:42,231 they were directly or indirectly influenced by his figure, his personality 89 00:16:43,068 --> 00:16:46,068 Even when he left Russia, l think... 90 00:16:46,205 --> 00:16:49,205 the remaining energy through the music he composed... 91 00:16:51,844 --> 00:16:54,844 was influencing every second or third musician... 92 00:16:57,082 --> 00:17:00,082 coming out of schools in Siberia, Caucasus, or in Moscow or Petersburg 93 00:17:01,987 --> 00:17:04,122 This is my belief 94 00:17:04,123 --> 00:17:07,025 This is what Rachmaninoff did to his country 95 00:17:07,026 --> 00:17:09,927 This is what he brought back to the culture... 96 00:17:09,928 --> 00:17:12,928 which again helped him grow as an artist and as a human being 97 00:17:17,202 --> 00:17:20,202 You can't imagine a pianist, a single pianist... 98 00:17:22,541 --> 00:17:25,541 who would try to learn something about piano playing... 99 00:17:26,745 --> 00:17:29,745 and just passed by without even looking at Rachmaninoff 100 00:17:31,116 --> 00:17:34,116 l don't think it was possible, and least in Russia 101 00:17:41,226 --> 00:17:44,226 And it was for the Satins at lvanovka that l wrote my C# minor Prelude 102 00:18:06,985 --> 00:18:09,985 l heard the endless tolling of the church bells... 103 00:18:10,889 --> 00:18:13,889 and one day the Prelude simply came to me, and l wrote it down 104 00:18:16,495 --> 00:18:19,495 lt came with such force that l could not shake it off, even though l tried to do so 105 00:18:23,001 --> 00:18:26,001 And l was not yet 1 9 years old 106 00:18:49,461 --> 00:18:52,461 Following Rachmaninoff's departure from Russia in 1 91 7... 107 00:18:53,398 --> 00:18:56,398 the Bolsheviks looted and burned down his country house at lvanovka 108 00:18:59,771 --> 00:19:02,771 Since perestroika, it has been painstakingly rebuilt... 109 00:19:04,409 --> 00:19:07,409 ironically, by a local administration that is now communist 110 00:19:09,548 --> 00:19:12,548 Alexander Borisovich, we are happy to welcome you to lvanovka 111 00:19:15,487 --> 00:19:18,487 According to our ancient Russian custom, please take this bread and salt 112 00:19:20,392 --> 00:19:23,392 Please break the bread... 113 00:19:26,198 --> 00:19:29,198 put salt on it, and try 114 00:19:38,810 --> 00:19:41,810 Welcome to lvanovka, the land of your ancestors 115 00:19:42,114 --> 00:19:45,114 We have been waiting for a long time... 116 00:19:46,118 --> 00:19:49,118 for a direct heir of the Rachmaninoff and Satin families to visit us 117 00:19:52,391 --> 00:19:55,391 On this soil, your great-great grandfather... 118 00:19:58,330 --> 00:20:01,330 your great-grandfather and your grandmother were born 119 00:20:04,703 --> 00:20:07,703 And on June 21 st 1 907 your mother, Tatiana Sergeieva, was born here 120 00:20:12,110 --> 00:20:15,110 We are honoured to greet you here 121 00:20:19,718 --> 00:20:22,718 Long life to you... 122 00:20:46,278 --> 00:20:49,278 This is the Tambovsky Chamber Choir, named in honour of your grandfather 123 00:20:52,317 --> 00:20:55,317 This is the Head of the Region, Ljubov Samodurova 124 00:21:01,627 --> 00:21:04,195 You're the man, you hold the flowers! 125 00:21:04,196 --> 00:21:07,098 And this is the Head of the District, Evgeny Tarassov 126 00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:10,099 And Nadezhda Vassilieva, from the District Council 127 00:21:11,169 --> 00:21:14,169 And Zinaiada Milusheva from the Department of Culture 128 00:21:21,046 --> 00:21:24,046 On the meadow at the back of the house... 129 00:21:25,817 --> 00:21:28,817 we have put up a modest statue of your grandfather 130 00:21:30,455 --> 00:21:33,455 He is conducting the best, and most perfect, orchestra... 131 00:21:34,693 --> 00:21:37,128 the orchestra of nature! 132 00:21:37,129 --> 00:21:40,129 lt's very modest, and we hope only temporary 133 00:21:48,307 --> 00:21:51,307 lf a young man was under the iron discipline of his teacher... 134 00:21:55,881 --> 00:21:58,449 his piano teacher... 135 00:21:58,450 --> 00:22:01,450 So, of course, for the first time, if suddenly... 136 00:22:01,953 --> 00:22:04,953 he doesn't wake up at six, in a cold room... 137 00:22:08,894 --> 00:22:11,894 with the stress of in about 25 minutes you have to be ready... 138 00:22:14,533 --> 00:22:16,767 you have two minutes to wash your hands... 139 00:22:16,768 --> 00:22:19,768 then 30 seconds to reach your piano and you have to play one hour exactly 140 00:22:21,006 --> 00:22:24,006 Suddenly, he came for the first time to two nice young girls... 141 00:22:27,479 --> 00:22:30,479 who were very happy to pamper him... 142 00:22:32,317 --> 00:22:35,317 to offer him a rocking chair, to bring his tea for him 143 00:22:35,654 --> 00:22:38,654 lt was absolutely an unbelievable discovery 144 00:22:39,324 --> 00:22:42,324 The house itself has been rebuilt exactly on the site of the original 145 00:22:43,662 --> 00:22:46,662 On the veranda, we even found wicker furniture... 146 00:22:47,265 --> 00:22:50,265 to replace what we found in photographs 147 00:22:53,438 --> 00:22:56,438 Your mother's father, Alexander Alexandrovich... 148 00:22:58,443 --> 00:23:01,443 had great respect for your grandfather 149 00:23:02,914 --> 00:23:05,914 He thought him very honest... 150 00:23:07,018 --> 00:23:10,018 and incredibly industrious 151 00:23:12,591 --> 00:23:15,591 When your grandfather first came to stay... 152 00:23:16,094 --> 00:23:19,094 he liked to be in this little house in the gardens 153 00:23:29,307 --> 00:23:32,307 And this is the actual study of Rachmaninoff 154 00:23:33,545 --> 00:23:36,545 These walls must have been the first to hear your grandfather's music 155 00:23:43,688 --> 00:23:46,688 He chose this room because it is so quiet and solitary 156 00:23:48,927 --> 00:23:51,927 lts only window looks out over the garden and the gazebo, shaded by maple trees 157 00:23:57,903 --> 00:24:00,903 All these things on the desk your grandfather held in his hands 158 00:24:04,776 --> 00:24:07,776 Vavara Arkadievna, your grandfather's mother-in-law... 159 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:11,580 was the only person allowed in here when Rachmaninoffwas working 160 00:24:40,245 --> 00:24:43,245 The daughters of my aunt, Varvara Arkadyevna, were not my only loves 161 00:24:46,184 --> 00:24:49,184 There were also the sisters Skalon - Natalya, Ludmilla and Vera 162 00:24:52,924 --> 00:24:55,924 But perhaps my first true love was a gypsy called Anna Lodizhenskaya 163 00:24:58,964 --> 00:25:01,964 Alas, she was married 164 00:25:05,971 --> 00:25:08,971 l was by now a student at the Moscow Conservatoire... 165 00:25:10,141 --> 00:25:13,141 and when l set to work on my first opera, ''Aleko''... 166 00:25:13,612 --> 00:25:16,612 l based it on a poem of Pushkin called ''The Gypsies'' 167 00:25:20,252 --> 00:25:23,252 Aleko - still not performed in the West - is only a student piece 168 00:25:26,024 --> 00:25:29,024 Nevertheless, it was accepted by the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow 169 00:25:30,295 --> 00:25:33,295 Chaliapin sang it in the Mariinsky Theatre 170 00:25:34,099 --> 00:25:37,099 Tchaikovsky came to the dress rehearsal and was full of praise 171 00:25:38,770 --> 00:25:41,770 But it was Anna, the gypsy l lost, who inspired it 172 00:26:07,732 --> 00:26:10,732 How quickly my youth has fled! 173 00:26:15,941 --> 00:26:18,941 The days of love pass even more quickly 174 00:26:35,226 --> 00:26:38,226 l only knew her love for a year 175 00:27:06,658 --> 00:27:09,658 One day, near a river... 176 00:27:11,997 --> 00:27:14,997 we came across an encampment of gypsies 177 00:27:18,136 --> 00:27:21,136 They had pitched their tents near ours 178 00:27:24,643 --> 00:27:27,643 Two nights we spent together 179 00:27:34,586 --> 00:27:37,586 On the third night, they departed 180 00:27:42,961 --> 00:27:45,961 When l awoke, my beloved had gone... 181 00:27:47,766 --> 00:27:50,766 leaving behind our small daughter 182 00:28:03,581 --> 00:28:06,581 l searched everywhere, calling her name... 183 00:28:11,222 --> 00:28:14,222 but there was no trace 184 00:28:22,367 --> 00:28:25,367 l wept 185 00:28:43,521 --> 00:28:46,521 And since that time, all girls are to me abhorrent... 186 00:28:51,963 --> 00:28:54,963 and l wish never to look on them again 187 00:29:14,919 --> 00:29:17,919 ''Going to your heart'', that's his description 188 00:29:17,989 --> 00:29:20,989 ''l am trying to make music which goes directly to your heart... 189 00:29:21,793 --> 00:29:24,161 without passing through your brains 190 00:29:24,162 --> 00:29:27,162 You have to feel yourselfwell, relaxed, captivated...'' 191 00:29:29,601 --> 00:29:32,601 Feeling well and happy byjust listening - that was his answer to the journalists 192 00:29:34,139 --> 00:29:37,139 ''lf you want to know me, listen to my music'' - his second sentence 193 00:30:13,144 --> 00:30:16,144 My 1 st Symphony, written at lvanovka when l was 22... 194 00:30:17,515 --> 00:30:20,515 and first performed in the Philharmonic Hall in St Petersburg, was a disaster 195 00:30:22,954 --> 00:30:25,954 My wife later thought the conductor, Glazunov, was drunk 196 00:30:27,692 --> 00:30:30,692 One critic wrote: ''lf there were a music conservatory in hell... 197 00:30:33,164 --> 00:30:36,164 and one of its students was compelled to write a programme symphony... 198 00:30:37,435 --> 00:30:40,435 on the seven plagues of Egypt, then Mr Rachmaninoff has done it 199 00:30:42,907 --> 00:30:45,907 The inhabitants of hell must be delighted'' 200 00:30:46,845 --> 00:30:49,845 As you know, the Symphony has never been performed again in my lifetime... 201 00:30:51,683 --> 00:30:53,650 or even published... 202 00:30:53,651 --> 00:30:56,651 and l'm pleased to report that the manuscript will never be found 203 00:30:58,756 --> 00:31:01,756 l had, of course, dedicated it to my gypsy, Anna Lodizhenskaya 204 00:31:04,863 --> 00:31:07,863 lronically, l had added to the title page: ''Vengeance is mine'' 205 00:31:34,659 --> 00:31:37,659 ln the Philharmonic Hall, l hid during the entire performance 206 00:31:39,163 --> 00:31:42,163 l refused to come on stage at the end, and fled into the night 207 00:31:43,568 --> 00:31:46,568 You can imagine how l felt. 208 00:31:46,704 --> 00:31:49,704 l sought refuge at lvanovka... 209 00:31:50,108 --> 00:31:53,108 but was unable to compose again for almost three years 210 00:34:08,112 --> 00:34:11,112 But when l did begin again, well, you knowwhat that was! 211 00:34:12,550 --> 00:34:15,550 My Second Piano Concerto, which l dedicated to Doctor Dahl... 212 00:34:16,788 --> 00:34:19,788 who had helped me through this difficult period 213 00:34:50,288 --> 00:34:53,288 And to celebrate, l was incautious enough... 214 00:34:53,825 --> 00:34:56,825 finally to marry my cousin, Natalia Alexandrovna Satina, your mother 215 00:35:01,365 --> 00:35:04,365 l had to write at least twelve songs before the wedding... 216 00:35:04,936 --> 00:35:07,936 so as not to go bankrupt - and have something to pay the priest with 217 00:35:09,340 --> 00:35:12,340 Ah, lvanovka! 218 00:35:51,716 --> 00:35:54,716 When l was still in despair about my First Symphony... 219 00:35:55,653 --> 00:35:58,653 l was taken to meet Leo Tolstoy, the author of War and Peace 220 00:36:00,358 --> 00:36:03,358 lt was thought he too might help me restore a little faith in myself 221 00:36:05,163 --> 00:36:08,163 He stroked my knees and said: ''You must work, young man, work 222 00:36:11,769 --> 00:36:14,769 Work every day, just as l do'' 223 00:36:14,872 --> 00:36:17,474 Later, l played for him 224 00:36:17,475 --> 00:36:20,475 He asked me: ''Tell me, does anybody really need music like that?'' 225 00:36:31,088 --> 00:36:34,088 War. lt was bound to come. 226 00:36:35,626 --> 00:36:38,626 l felt it. We all did 227 00:37:11,062 --> 00:37:14,062 l had the idea for a piece from a painting by Böcklin... 228 00:37:15,366 --> 00:37:18,366 in which a boatman ferries us over to the lsle of the Dead 229 00:37:23,474 --> 00:37:26,474 How little did we know ofwhat was to come 230 00:38:52,163 --> 00:38:54,998 lt was suggested that l went to America 231 00:38:54,999 --> 00:38:57,999 l had already been - played with the New York Symphony! 232 00:38:58,969 --> 00:39:01,905 My conducting career had also flourished - 233 00:39:01,906 --> 00:39:04,774 since beginning at Mamantov's Private Opera Company... 234 00:39:04,775 --> 00:39:07,775 l had already conducted at the Bolshoi in Moscow... 235 00:39:08,045 --> 00:39:10,947 and, of course, at my beloved Mariinsky Theatre 236 00:39:10,948 --> 00:39:13,948 So now l was offered the posts of chief conductor... 237 00:39:14,385 --> 00:39:17,385 of both the Cincinnati and the Boston Symphony Orchestras 238 00:39:29,166 --> 00:39:32,166 But now, war! 239 00:39:32,837 --> 00:39:35,837 And the destruction of all that we had known 240 00:39:44,648 --> 00:39:47,648 Once l had a homeland 241 00:39:47,852 --> 00:39:50,852 How beautiful it was! 242 00:39:51,155 --> 00:39:54,155 Above me swayed a fir tree 243 00:40:00,164 --> 00:40:03,164 But it was only a dream 244 00:40:27,758 --> 00:40:30,758 My family of friends was living then 245 00:40:33,697 --> 00:40:36,697 l was surrounded by words of love 246 00:40:51,015 --> 00:40:54,015 But it was only a dream 247 00:41:09,767 --> 00:41:12,767 And war bred revolution... 248 00:41:13,237 --> 00:41:16,237 and flight... into the darkness 249 00:44:39,309 --> 00:44:42,309 When l heard that they had looted and burned down lvanovka... 250 00:44:51,488 --> 00:44:54,488 and we were forced to continue our winterjourney by sledge 251 00:44:55,859 --> 00:44:58,859 When we eventually arrived in Stockholm, we were frozen, homeless and alone 252 00:45:02,599 --> 00:45:05,599 But we were too tired to weep 253 00:45:05,736 --> 00:45:08,736 After all, it was Christmas Eve 254 00:50:28,759 --> 00:50:31,759 America! 255 00:50:56,920 --> 00:50:59,920 As l told you, l had been before, been successful... 256 00:51:00,957 --> 00:51:03,957 but not liked it, not liked the crowds 257 00:51:04,027 --> 00:51:07,027 although in 1 909 l had given the world premiere... 258 00:51:07,697 --> 00:51:10,433 of my Third Piano Concerto in New York... 259 00:51:10,434 --> 00:51:13,434 with a second performance conducted by Gustav Mahler 260 00:51:14,571 --> 00:51:17,571 But now? l was 44 years old, homeless and in debt 261 00:51:20,744 --> 00:51:23,479 When the Boston Symphony again asked me - 262 00:51:23,480 --> 00:51:26,480 1 1 0 concerts in just 30 weeks - l was tempted, but refused 263 00:51:29,319 --> 00:51:32,319 After all, l spoke not a word of the language. Howwould l manage? 264 00:51:34,124 --> 00:51:37,124 But, almost a year after we had arrived in Sweden... 265 00:51:37,694 --> 00:51:40,694 fearing the worst, we had set sail for a new life 266 00:52:03,120 --> 00:52:06,120 My wife and l, with our two children, settled first, ''temporarily''... 267 00:52:07,891 --> 00:52:10,891 in an apartment block at 33 Riverside Drive, by the Hudson River... 268 00:52:14,131 --> 00:52:17,131 a far cry from lvanovka 269 00:52:18,401 --> 00:52:21,401 A terrible pain in my head resulted in surgery... 270 00:52:21,905 --> 00:52:24,905 although the news that l was in hospital was interpreted back in Russia that l had died 271 00:52:28,378 --> 00:52:31,378 Thomas Edison asked me to make some recordings for his new ''gramophone'' 272 00:52:33,717 --> 00:52:35,718 But l never cared for those... 273 00:52:35,719 --> 00:52:38,719 and always destroyed any pressings l thought less than perfect 274 00:52:42,592 --> 00:52:45,592 My concert debut was on December 8th in Providence, Rhode lsland 275 00:52:48,865 --> 00:52:51,865 Little did l know that l was to give over 1 000 concerts in America alone... 276 00:52:53,336 --> 00:52:56,305 during the next 20 years 277 00:52:56,306 --> 00:52:59,306 The only thing that suffered was my composition - not a single line 278 00:53:02,512 --> 00:53:05,512 l just didn't feel like it 279 00:53:24,301 --> 00:53:27,301 He simply had not the time to put his mind on composing... 280 00:53:29,239 --> 00:53:31,774 because he had the family to look after 281 00:53:31,775 --> 00:53:34,775 He even got some money lent to go to America which he repaid later... 282 00:53:39,015 --> 00:53:42,015 and actually he was forced to do... 283 00:53:42,919 --> 00:53:45,919 the second period of his life as a concert pianist 284 00:53:48,391 --> 00:53:51,391 He would have liked probably to compose, but no time! 285 00:53:54,130 --> 00:53:57,130 The schedule in America - touring from October to January/February... 286 00:54:00,737 --> 00:54:03,737 how can a person on the train all the time start composing? 287 00:54:09,512 --> 00:54:12,512 America! What madness! 288 00:55:23,920 --> 00:55:26,920 And they always wanted me to play that damned C# minor Prelude! 289 00:55:34,698 --> 00:55:37,698 l'm not sorry l wrote it, it has helped me 290 00:55:37,834 --> 00:55:40,834 But now l play it without feeling, like a machine 291 00:55:41,471 --> 00:55:44,471 l think l prefer it as a dance tune 292 00:55:53,883 --> 00:55:56,883 But the money was good - what a bourgeois l've become! 293 00:55:58,021 --> 00:56:01,021 My character has been quite ruined. l'm surrounded by nothing but business 294 00:56:02,726 --> 00:56:05,726 Business drives everything along. Business, and the worship of money 295 00:56:14,504 --> 00:56:17,272 To how many human cares... 296 00:56:17,273 --> 00:56:20,273 betrayals, prayers and misery... 297 00:56:23,380 --> 00:56:26,380 does money bear painful witness? 298 00:56:38,194 --> 00:56:41,194 True, l was feted everywhere, and welcomed by my musical colleagues... 299 00:56:44,200 --> 00:56:47,200 Pierre Monteux, who had conducted the Premiere of ''The Rite of Spring''... 300 00:56:48,772 --> 00:56:51,772 the young German conductor, Wilhelm Furtwängler... 301 00:56:52,876 --> 00:56:55,876 even by my fellow exile, lgor Stravinsky... 302 00:56:56,479 --> 00:56:59,479 although he was later to describe me as a ''six-foot scowl!'' 303 00:57:05,121 --> 00:57:08,121 A widow brought me some baubles to pawn... 304 00:57:10,326 --> 00:57:13,326 in lieu of her husband's debt 305 00:57:13,830 --> 00:57:16,830 America gave me material security 306 00:57:18,568 --> 00:57:21,568 But America could not give me peace of mind 307 00:57:22,605 --> 00:57:25,605 To hell with her! 308 00:57:35,151 --> 00:57:37,419 But this? 309 00:57:37,420 --> 00:57:40,420 My idiotic son brought me this 310 00:57:42,492 --> 00:57:45,492 How could such an idle bastard have got it? 311 00:57:48,665 --> 00:57:51,033 Stole it, no doubt 312 00:57:51,034 --> 00:57:54,034 Or perhaps ''found'' it on the road 313 00:58:20,897 --> 00:58:23,897 lf all the tears, and blood... 314 00:58:27,237 --> 00:58:30,237 that have been shed... 315 00:58:35,111 --> 00:58:38,111 for these riches and gold... 316 00:58:45,021 --> 00:58:48,021 that l have stored away... 317 00:58:52,595 --> 00:58:55,595 were suddenly to be disgorged... 318 00:58:59,602 --> 00:59:02,602 from the bowels of the earth... 319 00:59:03,973 --> 00:59:06,973 there'd be a flood... 320 00:59:11,014 --> 00:59:14,014 and l'd be drowned... 321 00:59:19,689 --> 00:59:22,689 in money! 322 00:59:28,431 --> 00:59:31,166 We found some consolation each summer... 323 00:59:31,167 --> 00:59:34,167 by renting a house out at Locust Point, NJ, about an hour from New York City 324 00:59:38,041 --> 00:59:41,041 l employed a Russian secretary, a Russian cook... 325 00:59:41,444 --> 00:59:44,444 and because l had failed my American driving test, a Russian chauffeur 326 00:59:47,951 --> 00:59:50,951 We all spoke Russian together, observed Russian customs... 327 00:59:51,788 --> 00:59:54,788 and surrounded ourselves with Russian friends... 328 00:59:55,325 --> 00:59:58,325 some ofwhom already lived here, and some ofwhom joined us in exile 329 01:00:00,296 --> 01:00:03,031 Stanislavsky was there... 330 01:00:03,032 --> 01:00:06,032 the people from the Arts Theatre... 331 01:00:06,936 --> 01:00:09,936 He adored Chaliapin. They met in Moscow... 332 01:00:11,307 --> 01:00:14,009 when he was at the private opera, conducting... 333 01:00:14,010 --> 01:00:16,578 and Chaliapin was an up-and-coming... 334 01:00:16,579 --> 01:00:19,579 very talented singer - so they learned from each other 335 01:00:20,817 --> 01:00:23,817 Chaliapin also gave him lots of pleasure because he was full of funny stories 336 01:00:53,416 --> 01:00:56,416 But nothing could give us back what we most desired, our homeland 337 01:01:00,857 --> 01:01:03,825 For the exile, whose musical roots have been annihilated... 338 01:01:03,826 --> 01:01:06,826 there remains no desire for self expression 339 01:01:07,330 --> 01:01:10,330 A friend wrote about his feelings of being a nobody 340 01:01:11,534 --> 01:01:14,534 Such feelings are probably unknown to me, he said 341 01:01:15,204 --> 01:01:17,406 Howwrong he is! 342 01:01:17,407 --> 01:01:20,407 l am filled to the brim with such feelings 343 01:01:30,853 --> 01:01:33,622 l still wrote music, of course... 344 01:01:33,623 --> 01:01:36,623 but somehow it did not mean the same to me 345 01:01:36,959 --> 01:01:39,959 Only you, my family, and my religion, sustained me 346 01:01:43,199 --> 01:01:46,199 My Liturgy, written all those years ago for the choir of the Mariinsky Theatre... 347 01:01:49,305 --> 01:01:52,305 was constantly in my head 348 01:02:56,639 --> 01:02:59,639 Lord, give us this day our daily bread 349 01:03:01,310 --> 01:03:04,310 Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil 350 01:04:04,006 --> 01:04:07,006 l did give many charity concerts to those wounded in the war... 351 01:04:08,044 --> 01:04:09,811 both Russian and American... 352 01:04:09,812 --> 01:04:12,812 as well as countless recitals for those in Holland, ltaly and France 353 01:04:15,418 --> 01:04:18,418 But whatever else l played, they always wanted the Preludes! 354 01:05:47,510 --> 01:05:50,510 Eventually, for convenience, we settled, ''temporarily''... 355 01:05:53,115 --> 01:05:56,115 in a villa outside Paris, in 1 929, called Clairfontaine 356 01:05:58,454 --> 01:06:01,454 Here we planned to spend our summers 357 01:06:01,457 --> 01:06:04,457 At least Europe seemed a little closer to Russia 358 01:06:04,727 --> 01:06:07,727 l loved to sit under the pine trees and just watch the rabbits! 359 01:06:09,198 --> 01:06:12,198 Breakfast of tea, with cream, ham, cheese and hard-boiled eggs... 360 01:06:14,670 --> 01:06:17,670 once again reminded us of our Russia 361 01:06:21,844 --> 01:06:24,844 Meanwhile, news from Russia became ever more distressing 362 01:06:29,385 --> 01:06:32,385 Stalin and his bullies seemed determined to destroy the Russia we loved 363 01:06:34,490 --> 01:06:37,490 ln 1 931 , with Count llya Tolstoy and others... 364 01:06:38,461 --> 01:06:41,461 l wrote a letter to the New York Times in which l said: 365 01:06:42,498 --> 01:06:45,433 ''At no time, and in no country... 366 01:06:45,434 --> 01:06:48,434 has there ever existed a government responsible for so many cruelties... 367 01:06:49,772 --> 01:06:52,772 wholesale murders and common-law crimes... 368 01:06:53,409 --> 01:06:56,409 as those perpetrated by the Bolsheviks 369 01:06:56,512 --> 01:06:59,512 For 1 3 years now, the communist oppressors... 370 01:07:00,182 --> 01:07:03,182 have subjected the Russian people to indescribable torture 371 01:07:04,220 --> 01:07:07,220 They are nothing but a group of professional murderers'' 372 01:07:44,126 --> 01:07:47,126 My music was now forbidden at the Moscow and St Petersburg - 373 01:07:48,397 --> 01:07:51,397 now called Leningrad - Conservatories, where l had long ago been a student 374 01:07:54,136 --> 01:07:57,136 l knew now that for me, Russia was forever closed 375 01:07:59,809 --> 01:08:02,809 Dies Irae! Day of anger! 376 01:08:23,199 --> 01:08:26,199 Only art that is free has meaning 377 01:08:27,570 --> 01:08:30,570 Only creativity that is free can be joyful 378 01:08:34,443 --> 01:08:37,443 ln Russia, there are no free artists, only victims without rights 379 01:08:41,317 --> 01:08:44,317 The title ''free artist'' is now a bitterjoke 380 01:08:50,392 --> 01:08:53,392 The need to find a more permanent home now became urgent 381 01:08:55,698 --> 01:08:58,666 And through a friend, a biographer - 382 01:08:58,667 --> 01:09:01,667 who, like so many others, had misrepresented me - 383 01:09:02,138 --> 01:09:05,138 l found a site by Lake Lucerne, hidden in the mountains of Switzerland 384 01:09:21,991 --> 01:09:24,991 There's a big flat space right by a precipice, down to the lake 385 01:09:26,996 --> 01:09:29,996 l fell in love with the view immediately l saw it 386 01:09:31,300 --> 01:09:34,300 l kept imagining what it would be like to have my own music room... 387 01:09:35,104 --> 01:09:38,104 with big windows, with such a view 388 01:10:08,871 --> 01:10:11,806 l've even found a place where l can be buried 389 01:10:11,807 --> 01:10:14,807 l should build a house here and call it ''Senar'' - 390 01:10:16,312 --> 01:10:19,312 Sergei and Natalya Rachmaninoff 391 01:10:20,182 --> 01:10:23,182 Here, l believe l shall find peace at last 392 01:12:37,086 --> 01:12:40,086 And here it was l wrote my ''Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini''... 393 01:12:41,490 --> 01:12:44,490 as a kind of christening present for the new house 394 01:12:45,194 --> 01:12:48,194 l worked literally from morn to night 395 01:12:48,263 --> 01:12:51,263 lt is a large piece - some compensation... 396 01:12:51,500 --> 01:12:54,500 for the many stupidities l allowed myself to commit in building the house 397 01:12:56,105 --> 01:12:59,105 Dies irae! 398 01:15:05,801 --> 01:15:08,801 For me, he was the epitome of a gentlemen 399 01:15:11,673 --> 01:15:14,673 He was slender, he was tall... 400 01:15:15,077 --> 01:15:18,077 he had a very good conservative taste for dressing 401 01:15:19,715 --> 01:15:22,715 lt was always beautifully done, from Savile Row 402 01:15:23,685 --> 01:15:26,685 And always he looked absolutely perfect, to my way of thinking 403 01:15:34,563 --> 01:15:37,563 He was not at all gloomy. lt's all rubbish to say that 404 01:15:39,434 --> 01:15:42,434 He loved Armenian and Jewish jokes 405 01:15:42,804 --> 01:15:45,804 He laughed his head off when somebody told him a new one 406 01:15:46,708 --> 01:15:49,708 And he had a very special movement - you know, he had that short hair 407 01:15:53,382 --> 01:15:56,382 lrina, his daughter, told me father has two hairs... 408 01:15:57,019 --> 01:16:00,019 one is silk and the other one is velvet 409 01:16:01,223 --> 01:16:04,223 lt really was like that - lt was silky, and when you went against it, it was velvet 410 01:16:08,664 --> 01:16:11,664 After breakfast he went for a walk around the house and garden... 411 01:16:12,634 --> 01:16:15,634 and then he'd practise, and he always started with scales 412 01:16:18,407 --> 01:16:21,407 He loved boats, going very fast 413 01:16:21,910 --> 01:16:24,910 He loved also driving his car in a very fast way 414 01:16:26,214 --> 01:16:29,214 He was a very good horseman, he was a good rider... 415 01:16:30,852 --> 01:16:33,852 but in Clairfontaine, he fell off the horse and aunt said that's it, no more 416 01:16:42,464 --> 01:16:45,464 My new boat in Senar only cost me 1 600 francs... 417 01:16:46,635 --> 01:16:49,635 plus 1 00 francs to the neighbour who drove me to the auction... 418 01:16:50,272 --> 01:16:53,074 plus... oh dear, oh dear... 419 01:16:53,075 --> 01:16:56,075 200 francs for the little dog we ran over on the way 420 01:16:57,245 --> 01:17:00,245 Despite its great age - l'm talking about the motor, not me - 421 01:17:01,550 --> 01:17:04,550 it works magnificently, and if l do change it... 422 01:17:05,420 --> 01:17:08,420 it will only be because l want to go faster! 423 01:17:38,587 --> 01:17:41,587 ln future, l intend to limit the number of my concerts... 424 01:17:42,591 --> 01:17:45,591 or find some cure for old age 425 01:17:45,761 --> 01:17:48,761 The only place to be now is Senar 426 01:18:36,945 --> 01:18:38,779 Old age! 427 01:18:38,780 --> 01:18:41,348 Perhaps it is that l'm lazy 428 01:18:41,349 --> 01:18:44,349 Perhaps the incessant practice and eternal rush... 429 01:18:44,386 --> 01:18:47,386 inescapable from life as a concert artist... 430 01:18:47,622 --> 01:18:50,622 is taking too much toll of my strength 431 01:18:50,726 --> 01:18:53,726 My fingers are giving me real trouble and the little finger on my left hand... 432 01:18:55,964 --> 01:18:58,964 threatens to go the same way as the one on the right 433 01:19:22,357 --> 01:19:25,357 And so a last work for piano solo 434 01:19:26,061 --> 01:19:28,329 Music should bring relief 435 01:19:28,330 --> 01:19:31,330 lt should rehabilitate the mind and soul 436 01:19:31,666 --> 01:19:34,335 lt cannot be just rhythm and colour 437 01:19:34,336 --> 01:19:37,336 lt must reveal, as simply as possible, the emotions of the heart 438 01:19:53,622 --> 01:19:56,622 l have made immense efforts to understand the music of today, but l cannot 439 01:20:13,742 --> 01:20:16,742 Perhaps it is that the music l care to write is not acceptable today 440 01:20:19,581 --> 01:20:22,581 But time may change the technique of music, it cannot alter its fundamental mission 441 01:20:54,182 --> 01:20:57,182 But l sometimes feel that all my audience wants is noise and excitement 442 01:21:00,188 --> 01:21:02,656 On a recent tour of America, for instance... 443 01:21:02,657 --> 01:21:05,657 l played the Corelli Variations about 1 5 times... 444 01:21:06,728 --> 01:21:09,728 but only one of these performances was any good 445 01:21:10,332 --> 01:21:13,332 The others were slapdash 446 01:21:13,501 --> 01:21:16,501 l even, the first time in my life, had a memory lapse... 447 01:21:17,672 --> 01:21:20,241 and, to the audience's great consternation... 448 01:21:20,242 --> 01:21:23,242 tried for a long time to remember what came next 449 01:21:31,386 --> 01:21:34,386 l was usually guided by the amount of coughing in the audience 450 01:21:35,457 --> 01:21:38,457 Whenever the coughing increased, l would just leave out a variation 451 01:21:39,427 --> 01:21:42,129 ln one concert, the coughing was so violent... 452 01:21:42,130 --> 01:21:45,130 that l only bothered to play about half the variations 453 01:21:45,634 --> 01:21:48,634 l have yet to give a complete performance 454 01:21:56,978 --> 01:21:59,978 l practise and practise but the more l play, the more l hear my own inadequacies 455 01:22:09,524 --> 01:22:12,524 lf l ever do learn to play properly, l'll probably drop dead the next day 456 01:22:42,390 --> 01:22:45,390 But now the blood vessels on my fingertips have begun to burst, bruises are forming 457 01:22:49,130 --> 01:22:52,130 When that happens, l can't play for about two minutes... 458 01:22:53,168 --> 01:22:56,003 so l just strum some chords 459 01:22:56,004 --> 01:22:59,004 But take me away from my concerts and that'll be the end of me 460 01:23:02,210 --> 01:23:05,210 Oh, Russia, my Russia! 461 01:23:33,675 --> 01:23:36,675 And did l tell you about my 3rd Symphony? 462 01:23:36,678 --> 01:23:39,678 They played it in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and elsewhere... 463 01:23:42,717 --> 01:23:45,152 and they played it wonderfully 464 01:23:45,153 --> 01:23:48,153 But one critic wrote: ''Oh, Rachmaninoff. Does he have a 3rd symphony in him?'' 465 01:23:51,993 --> 01:23:54,962 Cut, cut, cut, they say 466 01:23:54,963 --> 01:23:57,963 lt's like cutting out pieces of my heart 467 01:24:12,180 --> 01:24:15,180 l just broke off this letter to glance at the local afternoon newspaper 468 01:24:17,152 --> 01:24:19,186 The news is getting worse 469 01:24:19,187 --> 01:24:22,187 Calm is departing from those of us in Europe, even though war does not come 470 01:24:24,893 --> 01:24:27,893 To be the first to run away would seem improper in every way 471 01:24:29,097 --> 01:24:32,097 But l fear we are living on a volcano 472 01:24:53,054 --> 01:24:56,054 That there should be such possibilities in the world - it is unthinkable! 473 01:25:16,277 --> 01:25:19,277 'Christ is risen'... 474 01:25:23,184 --> 01:25:26,184 they sing in holy places 475 01:25:29,324 --> 01:25:32,324 But l am sad 476 01:25:34,863 --> 01:25:37,863 My soul is silent 477 01:25:43,905 --> 01:25:46,905 So much blood, and so many tears... 478 01:25:49,744 --> 01:25:52,479 are shed now in the world 479 01:25:52,480 --> 01:25:55,480 This song of praise before the altar... 480 01:25:56,951 --> 01:25:59,951 offends us like a mockery 481 01:26:20,475 --> 01:26:22,643 lf He were among us now... 482 01:26:22,644 --> 01:26:25,644 and could see the achievements... 483 01:26:25,713 --> 01:26:28,713 of our glorious age... 484 01:26:28,883 --> 01:26:31,518 how brother has come to hate brother... 485 01:26:31,519 --> 01:26:34,519 how man himself is shamed! 486 01:26:46,034 --> 01:26:49,034 And if, in this world of ours now... 487 01:26:50,438 --> 01:26:53,438 He heard 'Christ is risen'... 488 01:27:01,449 --> 01:27:04,449 He would weep the bitterest of tears... 489 01:27:12,060 --> 01:27:15,060 in agony at what we have done 490 01:27:49,764 --> 01:27:52,764 l don't think that he was a very... Sunday church-goer 491 01:27:56,404 --> 01:27:59,404 lt meant a lot to him otherwise he would never have written the Vigils and the Liturgy 492 01:28:02,510 --> 01:28:05,510 An unbeliever couldn't have written that 493 01:28:05,613 --> 01:28:08,613 Also, that he loved the bells - it must be something in a Russian soul... 494 01:28:11,419 --> 01:28:14,419 When l came to England, the first thing l missed were the evening bells 495 01:28:16,658 --> 01:28:19,658 lt must be something which means a lot to Russians, l don't know 496 01:28:26,100 --> 01:28:29,100 l think he was quite fascinated by death - he didn't like to think about it... 497 01:28:31,306 --> 01:28:34,306 l don't knowwhether he was afraid of death... 498 01:28:35,310 --> 01:28:38,310 but it occupied his mind, l'm sure, quite a bit 499 01:28:40,048 --> 01:28:43,048 And like the church bells, something in his music came always back to... 500 01:28:46,354 --> 01:28:49,354 you are here not forever, so one day you have to face the end is coming 501 01:28:57,398 --> 01:28:59,966 And so we left Europe once again... 502 01:28:59,967 --> 01:29:02,967 once again bound for America, to Los Angeles 503 01:29:03,771 --> 01:29:06,771 Left my beloved Senar, just as we had once left lvanovka 504 01:29:08,676 --> 01:29:11,676 Once again cut off from those places which sustained me... 505 01:29:12,547 --> 01:29:15,547 gave me comfort 506 01:29:16,184 --> 01:29:19,184 And from the comfort of America we heard of Leningrad - St Petersburg - 507 01:29:21,756 --> 01:29:24,756 starving to death during the German siege 508 01:30:56,417 --> 01:30:59,417 My Symphonic Dances, which l wrote in America... 509 01:31:00,121 --> 01:31:03,121 were a memory ofwhat was, and what might have been 510 01:31:04,759 --> 01:31:07,759 After all, composing is as essential a part of my being as breathing or eating 511 01:31:11,299 --> 01:31:14,299 lt is the expression of my deepest thoughts... 512 01:31:14,368 --> 01:31:17,037 and my constant need to compose... 513 01:31:17,038 --> 01:31:20,038 is actually the urge within me to give sounds to those thoughts 514 01:31:22,243 --> 01:31:25,243 l write down only what l hear within me 515 01:31:25,813 --> 01:31:28,813 My music is therefore a product of my temperament... 516 01:31:29,283 --> 01:31:32,283 and so, wherever l live, it is Russian music 517 01:31:42,497 --> 01:31:45,497 l wish to say, simply and directly, what l feel... 518 01:31:47,101 --> 01:31:50,101 and if that be love or sadness or bitterness, well, so be it 519 01:31:53,474 --> 01:31:56,474 My music is perhaps a long dark coda into the night 520 01:32:23,804 --> 01:32:26,673 How l miss the peace of Senar 521 01:32:26,674 --> 01:32:29,674 This endless concertizing, just to earn enough money to survive 522 01:32:31,412 --> 01:32:34,412 ln New Orleans, l definitely noticed that my cough was getting worse 523 01:32:36,851 --> 01:32:39,851 Soon l shall not be able to get up, sit or lie down 524 01:32:40,621 --> 01:32:43,621 Like Chekhov, l keep spitting phlegm into paper bags - 525 01:32:44,792 --> 01:32:47,792 phlegm covered with blood 526 01:32:47,862 --> 01:32:50,096 Too many cigarettes 527 01:32:50,097 --> 01:32:53,097 l am frightened, embarrassed and guilty 528 01:33:06,080 --> 01:33:08,415 And so, finally... 529 01:33:08,416 --> 01:33:11,416 as l end this long letter to you, my dearest lrina and Tatiana... 530 01:33:13,921 --> 01:33:16,921 l feel that my mournful features are clearing 531 01:33:18,259 --> 01:33:21,259 l have signed myself up for a course of ''healing by music'' 532 01:33:22,797 --> 01:33:25,797 What other function can music have but to make us whole again? 533 01:33:28,235 --> 01:33:31,235 As you know, the title of one of my first published songs... 534 01:33:31,939 --> 01:33:34,674 was ''The Harvest of Sorrow'' 535 01:33:34,675 --> 01:33:37,675 Perhaps nowwe can gather in the harvest and heal our sorrow 536 01:33:40,581 --> 01:33:43,581 Farewell. Farewell my hands 537 01:33:45,886 --> 01:33:48,886 lt's just a very, very unique ability... 538 01:33:48,923 --> 01:33:51,923 for a composer to be able to compose a melody... 539 01:33:52,893 --> 01:33:55,462 which lasts sometimes nearly a minute... 540 01:33:55,463 --> 01:33:58,463 and people still can remember it right away 541 01:33:58,499 --> 01:34:00,533 This is difficult 542 01:34:00,534 --> 01:34:03,534 There are some composers of today, if they could only do it... 543 01:34:06,140 --> 01:34:09,140 and there's some very popular people in the last, let's say 20 or 30 years... 544 01:34:10,578 --> 01:34:13,578 Look at these young Beatles - they have this ability to give you... 545 01:34:16,617 --> 01:34:19,617 simple, but beautiful and strong... 546 01:34:21,589 --> 01:34:24,589 simple but strong, you know, image 547 01:34:24,659 --> 01:34:27,659 l call it a gift. The melody, you just take it and it stays with you 548 01:34:29,997 --> 01:34:32,997 There were many, many others. None of them reached the same level 549 01:34:36,270 --> 01:34:39,270 This is what Rachmaninoff brought to classical music in general: 550 01:34:43,244 --> 01:34:45,845 endless melody 551 01:34:45,846 --> 01:34:48,846 And also endless in terms that it starts... 552 01:34:48,983 --> 01:34:51,983 and it never gives you the feeling that... ''it's clear, this melody - stop it'' 553 01:34:53,354 --> 01:34:56,189 You want to listen, you want it to continue... 554 01:34:56,190 --> 01:34:59,190 you want to be led by this melody to the next and the next and the next vision 555 01:35:01,729 --> 01:35:04,729 And you see more and more... and every door opens and you see even more 556 01:35:54,715 --> 01:35:57,715 Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff died in Beverly Hills on March 28th, 1 943... 557 01:36:01,622 --> 01:36:04,622 a few days short of his 70th birthday 558 01:36:06,026 --> 01:36:09,026 He had composed four piano concertos, three operas, 80 songs... 559 01:36:11,565 --> 01:36:14,565 over 1 00 pieces for piano including two sonatas... 560 01:36:14,869 --> 01:36:17,869 numerous choral works for the church - and three symphonies... 561 01:36:18,906 --> 01:36:21,906 the second ofwhich, Rachmaninoff himself conducted the premiere in St Petersburg... 562 01:36:23,911 --> 01:36:26,911 on the 26th January, 1 908, in the Mariinsky Theatre 563 01:37:25,372 --> 01:37:28,372 After his death, since return of the body to Europe was impossible in wartime... 564 01:37:31,712 --> 01:37:34,712 he was buried in a cemetery he and his wife had chosen, outside New York... 565 01:37:37,017 --> 01:37:40,017 appropriately called ''Valhalla'' - the place of the Gods 566 01:37:42,256 --> 01:37:45,256 appropriacalled'Valhalla'- theplaceoftheGods