Example | Praise | Pride | Self | Sin

LIVES OF THE GREAT COMPOSERS: SERGEI RACHMANINOF
F. . . While Handel was one of the most pious of composers, Rachmaninoff was surely one of the most obnoxious. He was rude and moody. Born in 1873 in Russia, he left his homeland for good during the Communist revolution. As a student, Rachmaninoff was the only composer to stand up to his dictatorial teachers. . . correcting their tempi and refusing to accept any edits in his student works. Rachmaninoff and Gershwin were at a party; someone asked Gershwin to play something on the piano. As Gershwin was sitting down at the keyboard, Rachmaninoff obviously arose and walked out of the room. Another time, Prokofiev went up to him after a recital and told him he played very well. “And you thought I’d play badly?” Rachmaninoff retorted. By Kelby Cotton, Lakewood, CO