In addition to his popularity as a composer, Rachmaninoff was considered to be one of the finest pianists of his generation. So it is not surprising that his greatest compositions can be found within the piano repertoire. One of George’s favourite pieces is the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Rachmaninoff also wrote a lot of music for the voice, including 3 operas and over 75 songs.
I first explored Rachmaninoff’s songs as part of a project led by Maya Soltan. In 2018 I had the chance to perform alongside Maya in a concert at Pushkin House. Total Immersion: The Complete Songs By Sergey Rachmaninov. In our sessions, I learned how to pronounce the Cyrillic alphabet and how to translate the song texts into IPA (international phonetic alphabet) so that I could read and interpret them easier. With Maya’s help, I was able to get an undertsanding of the Russian text which helped me to paint a vocal picture of the poem.
Russian Text:
По утру, на заре,
По росистой траве,
Я пойду свежим утром дышать;
в душистую тень,
Я пойду свое счастье искать…
В жизни счастье одно
Мне найти суждено,
И то счастье в сирени живёт;
На зелёных ветвях,
На душистых кистях
Моё бедное счастье цветёт…
Here is the English Translation of “The Lilacs” written by Ekatrina Beketova
This song was composed in April 1902 and appears in a set of 12 Songs, called Opus 21. Rachmaninoff was married to Nathalie Satin in April 1902, and it has been said that he published these songs to help pay for their honeymoon. I wonder if George will release a cycle of Romanian songs after we are married.
Like the fragrant Lilac growing from seed to blossom, the song continued to have a personal connection with Rachmaninoff. Around 1908, Rachmaninoff began to receive bouquets of lilacs at his performances from an anonymous admirer. As Rachmaninoff toured the world playing at various prestigious concert halls, the fragrant smell of lilacs would join him as the anonymous bouquets continued to be sent. In 1918, Madame Felka Rousseau revealed herself as the admirer, a Russian lady who was a great fan. Her only wish was that Rachmaninoff would return to play in Russia.
Similarly, my brother’s and I sent some flowers to our wonderful Mum today, not to commemorate a recital but to celebrate Mother’s Day. As many of you may know, my Mum is beyond supportive and her boundless love has enabled me to keep positive and proactive during this turbulent past year. Here is my attempt at a short poem dedicated to her.
Today I find the time to sit and think,
About one person who shines like a star,
Together or apart, we are in sync,
Your love gives me the strength to go far.
Without you, life would not so warmly sing
Today I thank you, Mum, for everything!
Beautiful Charlotte and such a touching tribute to your Mum!
Thank you, Cindy, I speak to my Mum nearly every day she loved the poem because she knows how difficult I find writing poetry.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Sweet sentiment for your Mum. That video of you was precious.
Thank you, John, I saw this little video clip when my Dad was working on digitising all his old tape videos and asked him to snip it for me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
😊
I loved the music, history and video of you, Charlotte! A beautiful tribute to your mother.
My early childhood home had tall purple and white lilacs in the front yard. Playing under them and enjoying the scent in spring is a pleasant memory.
Thank you, Lavinia, I’m delighted that my post reminded you of your childhood front yard. I love the scent of lilac trees.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Such a beautiful post. And boy you were a star even all these years ago! No surprise to hear your lovely voice now today.
Thank you, Shehanne, we had a lovely time showing George my video clips a while back and I asked my Dad to snip a few favourites for me to keep. It cuts there because my big brother comes along and tries to push me over lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Siblings eh! Seriously it’s great .
Simply lovely! The music (which is remarkable what you went through to bring us such a grand presentation), the touching verse to your Mother and the sweet video of you. I know your Mother feels all the LOVE!
Don’t ever lose that connection to your parents, Charlotte.
I couldn’t imagine every doing that Martin, they are such a big part of our lives. I can’t wait to come out of lockdown so I can pop up for a visit.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you, Annette, she loved the post and is glad it is linked to this song because although she didn’t like it the first time she heard it has grown into a favourite.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Aww Charlotte that is a beautiful sentiment to your mum, you’ll have her in tears🥰 love the photo of tiny you. Such memories 🤗 😘
She loved it Gill. Can you remember the playhouse, I stopped going in it because Matt pointed out a spiders nest even when Dad cleaned it out!
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow, great very interesting as always !!! Yes hope that George will create songs for you !!!
Best toughts for your mother. It was a great pleasure to meet your parents in Glasgow, and I remember to have nice time speaking french and english with your mother !
Will be great to meet them again !
The best for you my Friend !!
I would be thrilled for George to create a song for me. I will pass on your message to Mum 😊. She has been practicing her French on Duolingo during lockdown.
Best wishes
Charlotte
On occasion, why not do video conferences in French every 3rd, every 4th if George wants to…..
Meilleurs pensées,
Pascal
I’ve been concentrating on Italian, Romanian and German but I’d be very grateful for your help with french at the end of the year.
Dear Charlotte,
Kiss your mother for raising such a wonderful family and daughter such as yourself. God will bless you for honoring your mother, as it is the one commandment that comes with the promise of long life. May God bless you richly is my prayer.
I may have had to stop in the music profession without my parent’s constant encouragement over the years. One of the best lessons they gave us was to find ways to work to support ourselves and giving us wings to fly. They both left school at the end of High School without going to college but wanted us to go to university and find rewarding careers.
Best wishes Rev Tim,
Charlotte
This little girl is you?
Yes it’s me 👧🏼
Sweety !
Thank you,
Best wishes
Charlotte
A fine tribute and beautiful sound
Thank you, Derrick.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Awwww Charlotte.
Lovely blog, great sentiments to your Mum,😘
You were so cute,a performer even at that age.I love all the photo’s and short clips of your songsxx
I’m thrilled you are enjoying the blog posts, without performances the posts would be very boring with just what I cooked this week or me practicing indoors, although have you seen Matt’s baking recently! He made Staffordshire cheese oatcakes yesterday and just sent me a photo.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is for your Mum on Mother’s Day:
Congratulations on giving the world a daughter who is not only extremely talented but also extremely kind and warm toward others. I know who you are because I know Charlotte through her words and music. Celebrate yourself today.
Thank you, Mum loved reading your message Sheila she said it bought a tear to her eye (she didn’t cry about my poem lol).
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely tribute to your Mum, Charlotte. I’m sure it made her very happy! I do love lilacs (don’t grow well here in NC, unfortunately) and Rachmaninoff is a personal favorite.
It did Noelle, I have grown to love Rachmaninoff piano music listening to George practice I can now recognise my favourite pieces.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I am introducing my 1 year old grandson to a variety of classical music. He loves Mozart and dances to the music!
I wish he could see BambinO live, the opera for babies I was in, the babies really loved it and roamed all over the pillows and helped me to build the nest and clapped as the egg grew and hatched into a baby bird Baritone that is bigger than me.
Sweet.
Thank you Jeff,
Best wishes
Charlotte
Cuteness overload! And such a touching tribute to your mum.
Spice Girls were my favourite I loved Baby Spice of course. Thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wonderful post 💖
Thank you, Konstandina, I hope that you are keeping safe and well.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a lovely tribute and poem. I am a fan of Rachmaninov’s music too 🙂 x
Thank you Christine 😊. I was very grateful for the opportunity to learn this Russian Song with Maya Soltan I would love to do more.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A beautiful song and tribute. Rachmaninoff is one of my favourite authors. The Concerto nº2 in particular will always move me. And evoke images of Dutch canals. (heard it for the first time when I was ten in Amsterdam)
🙏🏻
I must ask George to play Concerto nº2 for me. He should update his YouTube.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You certainly are lucky to have someone at home to play Rachmaninoff #2 for you at request. 😀
My regards to George.
George was learning it last year so I get lots of repetitive sections until he gets it perfect and memorised.
It’s one of the impressive things with you guys. The memory. Of the music. Of the songs. Impressive.
PS. And Happy Mother’s day to your mum. Is it that early in the UK?
It moves each year as it is the fourth Sunday during Lent.
Is it? In the Americas I think it is the third Sunday of March, in “Frogland” the 21st. After a year locked up, I’m not even quite sure which day this is.
This is lovely, Charlotte! I am sure your Mum was so pleased with this loving message on Mothering Sunday.
Thank you, Clare, Mum was very pleased, I hope that you enjoyed Mother’s Day too.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I had a lovely day, thank you xx
What a lovely tribute to your mum. I knew Rachmaninov was a gifted pianist but what a pleasant surprise he wrote pieces for the voice too.
Thanks Alex, so much beautiful repertoire to learn, insufficient time to do as much as I’d like to.
Best wishes to you,
Charlotte
I have seen since the day I began to know you how amazing and supportive your parents are.
This is a lovely tribute, to you mother.
I’m honest in saying that lilacs are my favourite blossoms. I can’t get enough of the scent from their beauty. It goes back to my childhood and my beloved grandmother, who had glorious lilac arches gracing the entrance to their front yard.
Again you have enriched my life with voice and knowledge.
My mom was torn between lilacs and lily of the valley, which is my second favourite.
Never a dull moment here!
xoxo
I love the scent of lilacs too Resa, it makes me happy to bring back your lovely memory of your grandmother. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen lily of the valley I must explore. George and I bought several plants for our balcony with the advice of the fabulous local shop keeper.
I’m glad you’re staying bright and cheerful 😀.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Bright and happy for both of us and all!!!! 😀
I did a new Art Gown to welcome Spring. She is a bright happy garden! 🌸🌺🌼🌷🌹
I listened to this 3 times while commenting.
LOL… you know what a child I am when it comes to opera and Classic music. (Although my knowledge grows daily, as I have been listening to many composers, pianists and some singers.)
So, this is a bit on the humour side. I know Rachmaninoff! I know him from the move “Seven Year Itch”, starring Marilyn Monroe. It’s a very funny couple of scenes. Do you know the scenes from that movie?
Cheers! ❦
I don’t know the film but I will have a look at Netflix and see if it is on there to watch. We need more modern classical musical films I think people would enjoy them.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You celebrate Mom’s Day earlier than we do. We celebrate in May.
I’m with George regarding “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.” I can sort of play it okay on piano, much better on guitar. My former wife, Andrea, taught me how to play piano in two easy lessons. She plays piano very well; so does my daughter Deborah.
Hope you and George are doing well. 🙂
I didn’t find playing piano very easy, I spent a lot of time from around the age of 10 to 18 to achieve my grade 5 with a merit and I was working on grade 6 just before I went off to University. I do play to accompany myself most days and I keep promising myself to put more time in but George’s practice is intense and he is playing many hours some evenings regularly till around 10pm with his headphones on so I’d have a fight on my hands.
Best wishes
Charlotte