Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor - the last major figure of the Russian Romantic tradition. He studied in Moscow under the strict Nikolai Zverev and received guidance from Tchaikovsky; after the 1917 revolution he emigrated and spent his final decades in the United States, dying in Beverly Hills in 1943. His four piano concertos, the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and the Symphonic Dances remain among the most frequently performed works in concert halls worldwide.
In 2023, the musical world commemorated the 150th anniversary of Rachmaninoff's birth - hundreds of concerts took place in Russia and abroad, and an International Competition Program in his name was announced for pianists, composers, and conductors.
Moscow prepared an extensive program 'Our Rachmaninoff' for the anniversary, including concerts, exhibitions, and lectures in museums, libraries, and cultural centers throughout the city.
For the 150th anniversary, Russia planned the issue of commemorative coins and the naming of streets, parks, and cultural institutions after the composer.
