On October 7th, the Concertus Symphony Orchestra will perform Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1; Concerto No 2 in C minor, Op. 18 and Concerto No 3 in D minor, Op. 30 by Sergei Rachmaninov at the Victoria Hall in Geneva. Solists Nicolas Comi, François-Xavier Poizat & Vittorio Forte will play the piano. 

Known and recognized composer, conductor, and virtuoso pianist, the man with BIG hands (he could cover 12 piano keys from the tip of his little finger to the tip of his thumb) is most certainly the last representative of Russian musical romanticism. There is something eternal and nostalgic in his notes.

Listening to his concertos live is an experience of great emotional intensity that will give you goosebumps or tears in your eyes.

While waiting for this concert, here are 5 little-known facts about Sergei Rachmaninov that may pique your curiosity, as well as a Playlist to listen to.

1. In 1912, Rachmaninov resigned as vice-president of the Russian Musical Society in protest at the dismissal of a musician for being Jewish.
2. It is Vladimir Horowitz who brings the letters of nobility to Concerto No. 3 by including it in his repertoire.
3. The prodigious pianist Josef Hofmann considers that “Rachmaninov was created from steel and gold: steel in his hands and gold in his heart”.
4. The fiasco of his First Symphony (with a completely drunk conductor) made him depressed but it is a neuro-hypnotist who will allow him to overcome the disease. The critics and the public faced with his First Symphony nevertheless took away his motivation and desire to compose for 3 years.
5. In 1948, the Philadelphia Orchestra played this First Symphony and it was a BIG success. Rachmaninov had already reached Eternity.