Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. ¹⁾

He was born in 1873 in Semyonovo, Russia. ²⁾

Rachmaninoff began playing the piano at the age of four and composing at the age of nine. ³⁾

He studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and later at the Moscow Conservatory. ⁴⁾

Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 1 premiered in 1897, but was a failure and caused him to suffer a period of depression and writer's block. ⁵⁾

He underwent hypnotherapy to overcome his depression, which helped him to regain his confidence and ability to compose. ⁶⁾

Rachmaninoff's most famous work is his Prelude in C-sharp minor, which is often used in film and television. ⁷⁾

He was also a renowned pianist, and his performances were known for their virtuosity and emotional depth. ⁸⁾

Rachmaninoff was a close friend of fellow composer and pianist, Alexander Scriabin. ⁹⁾

He was also a close friend of Russian author Leo Tolstoy. ¹⁰⁾

Rachmaninoff emigrated from Russia after the Russian Revolution in 1917. ¹¹⁾

He lived in the United States and later in Europe and he gave many concerts as a pianist and conductor. ¹²⁾

He composed four piano concertos, one symphony, and many other works including preludes and vocal pieces. ¹³⁾

Rachmaninoff was also a talented conductor, leading many of his own compositions, as well as those of other composers. ¹⁴⁾

Rachmaninoff died in 1943 in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 70. ¹⁵⁾