Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the late Romantic period. He was born on April 1, 1873, in Semyonovo, a small village near Novgorod, Russia, and passed away on March 28, 1943, in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Rachmaninoff's music is known for its lush melodies, rich harmonies, and virtuosic piano writing.
Rachmaninoff was born into a noble and musically inclined family. His father, Vasily, was an army officer and amateur pianist, while his mother, Lyubov, came from a cultured and artistic background. Rachmaninoff showed exceptional musical talent at an early age, displaying remarkable proficiency on the piano and composing his first piece at the age of nine. Recognizing his potential, his parents enrolled him in the St. Petersburg Conservatory at the age of ten.