This book, first published in 1934, contains the recollections of the varied and coloured life of a great pianist and composer, who is one of the most striking figures of the musical world. Rachmaninoff dictated his memoires to the author of this book, and much of the story is therefore told in the first person. The final chapter is Riesemann’s own contribution. It is an estimate of Rachmaninoff’s qualities as composer; it shows knowledge of all his more important works; and it shows discrimination. The whole book is an authoritative and interesting study of a popular artist.
Preface;
1. Happy Childhood in the Country
2. The St. Petersburg
Conservatoire
3. Moscow. Sverev and Arensky
4. A Dramatic Incident. The
Moscow Conservatoire
5. The "Free Artist" In Moscow. Performance of the First
Symphony and its Consequences
6. Serious Mental Shock and Mental Recovery
7.
Growing Popularity as Composer and Conductor
8. An Idyll in Dresden
9. The
Summit of Life
10. War and Revolution
11. America
12. Rachmaninoff as
Composer; Note on the Family of Rachmaninoff; List of Works; Index
Oskar von Riesemann
