13. Reading. Sergey Rachmaninoff

Read the text about a famous Russian composer. Mark the statements as True or False.

  

 

  

 

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a famous Russian composer, conductor, and pianist. He was born in \(1873\) into a family of Russian aristocrats. From a young age, Rachmaninoff showed amazing skills in composing music and playing the piano. Rachmaninoff had an extraordinary memory, he could hear a piece of music and play it back without sheet music.

 

In \(1882\), Sergei Rachmaninoff went to study at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Three years later, he joined the famous Moscow Conservatory. While studying in Moscow, he met another famous composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who saw great talent in him. By the time he finished his studies, he had already created many amazing pieces, like his First Piano Concerto, the opera ‘Aleko’, and lots of beautiful piano music.

 

Rachmaninoff wrote his first symphony ('Symphony No. \(1\)')  at the age of \(23\). However, when it was performed, the audience didn't like it at all. Rachmaninoff lost his confidence and couldn't compose music for three years. Only after hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, he managed to overcome his feelings and develop new musical ideas. When that difficult period was over, Sergei Rachmaninoff composed his most famous piece, 'Piano Concerto in C minor'.

 

In \(1917\), Rachmaninoff left Russia and moved to Switzerland. Later, he relocated to America, where he was offered a lot of opportunities to work as a conductor. He often travelled giving performances, both as a conductor and a pianist. After a successful music career, Sergei Rachmaninoff passed away in California at the age of \(69\), but his work is still seen as very important and valuable.

 

Rachmaninoff's classical music has greatly influenced songs in other genres, such as pop and jazz. For example, his works were used as the basis for hits like Bob Dylan's ‘Full Moon and Empty Arms’, Frank Sinatra's ‘I Think Of You’, and ‘All by myself’ (a famous song performed by many singers). Moreover, Rachmaninoff's music has played a big role in movies and TV shows, as his moving melodies help create emotional moments that people remember.

 

Sergei Rachmaninoff was an amazing musician who made a great impact on classical music, popular culture, and modern music. His works continue to inspire many other musicians today.

 

1) Rachmaninoff was talented in music from a young age. FalseTrue.

2) Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. \(1\) was a success. FalseTrue.

3) Sergei Rachmaninoff's music is heard in pop and jazz songs. FalseTrue.