List of compositions by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Born in Novgorod, Russia in 1873, he studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Nikolai Zverev, Alexander Siloti, Sergei Taneyev and Anton Arensky, and while there, composed some of his most famous works, including the first piano concerto (Op.

Although spread over three different opuses, he did go on to complete an important set of 24 preludes in all the major and minor keys.

After undergoing autosuggestive therapy, he regained his confidence and composed his second piano concerto (Op.

In 1909, he made his first concert tour of the United States, and composed his Piano Concerto No.

After this, due to emigration from Russia in 1917 and his busy concert career, his output as a composer greatly decreased, and during this period, he completed only six compositions.

Rachmaninoff at his estate Ivanovka , proofing his Piano Concerto No. 3 (1910)
Cello Sonata (Op. 19).
Listen, excerpt ⓘ
Piano Concerto No. 3 (Op. 30) is notable for its massive ossia .
Listen, excerpt ⓘ
Prelude in C ♯ minor (Op. 3, No. 2) is famous for its theme and coda.
Six moments musicaux (Op. 16), range in style from the slow Andantino (pictured) to the torrential Presto .
Listen, excerpt ⓘ
Prelude in G minor (Op. 23, No. 5) embodies his Russian spirit.
Étude Tableaux No. 7 in G minor begins with soft arpeggios played at the pianissimo volume.
The rhythmic Étude Tableaux No. 9 in D major opens in a giant chordal flourish.
The first movement of Suite No. 2 (Op. 17) is full of idiosyncratically large and thick chords.
The lyrics of "The Harvest of Sorrow" (Op. 4, No. 5) are based on a text by Aleksei Tolstoy that laments a failed harvest.
Listen, excerpt ⓘ
Vocalise (Op. 34, No. 14) is sung without words and has been arranged for many different instrument combinations.