
April marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of the last great exponent of Russian romanticism, Sergei Rachmaninov. He is one of those composers beloved by concertgoers but disdained by more highbrow critics over a long period of time. Arguably, this is because of his popular success and his lack of interest in 20th century modernism.
Perhaps most notable are the three fine choral works: The Bells, Vespers (All Night Vigil), and the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom.
You might like to check the article in the April edition of Fine Music Magazine by Rex Burgess, who claims that more recent appreciation of his exceptionally fine pianism and prowess as a conductor, plus rarely performed choral works, have been grounds for a reappraisal.
Throughout April, we have scheduled 15 programs that exemplify his craft and the era. These programs will also be posted to this page for you to Listen Anytime.
Schedule of programs
April | Time | Program | Feature | Programmer | Presenter |
Sat 1st | 9:05am | THE PIANO ALONE | Sonata no1 | Frank Morrison | Troy Fill |
Sat 1st | 1:00pm | SATURDAY MATINEE | Symphony no2 | David Brett | David Brett |
Sun 2nd | 3:00pm | SUNDAY SPECIAL: Rachmaninov Choral Symphony | Choral symphony: The Bells | Gerald Holder | Stephen Wilson |
Wed 5th | 2:00pm | A MUSICAL GIANT: Rachmaninov, the early years – up to 1895 | Symphony no1; Piano concerto no1 | Brian Drummond | Jill Hickson |
Wed 5th | 8:00pm | AT THE OPERA | Francesca da Rimini | Camille Mercep | Camille Mercep |
Sat 8th | 9:05am | THE PIANO ALONE | Etudes Tableaux op33 | Michael Morton-Evans | Mary Moran |
Wed 12th | 2:00pm | A MUSICAL GIANT: Rachmaninov 1896-1909 Part 1 | Piano Concerto no2 | Dan Bickel | Brian Drummond |
Sat 15th | 9:05am | THE PIANO ALONE | Variations on a Theme of Corelli | Jennifer Foong | Christina Macguiness |
Sun 16th | 3:00pm | SUNDAY SPECIAL: Rachmaninov’s Liturgy | Liturgy of St John Chrysostom | Rex Burgess | Nina Fudala |
Wed 19th | 2:00pm | A MUSICAL GIANT: Rachmaninov 1896-1909 Part 2 | Piano Concerto no3 | Ron Walledge | Jill Hickson |
Sat 22nd | 9:05am | THE PIANO ALONE | Sonata no2 | Jacky Ternisien | Michael Field |
Sat 22nd | 1:00pm | SATURDAY MATINEE | Vespers | Tom Forrester-Paton | Andrew Clark |
Wed 26th | 2:00pm | A MUSICAL GIANT: Rachmaninov 1910-1926 | Piano Concerto no4; Symphony no 3 | Chris Bower | Jill Hickson |
Sat 29th | 9:05am | THE PIANO ALONE | Etudes Tableaux op39 | James Nightingale | Toby Wong |
Sun 30th | 3:00pm | SUNDAY SPECIAL: Rachmaninov’s last years and legacy | Rhapsody on Paganini; Symphonic Dances; last recordings | Stephen Wilson | Mary Moran |