Download or read book Rachmaninoff: The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers. written by Matthew Robert Walker and published by Omnibus Press. This book was released on 2011-08-01 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this biography, Robert Walker skilfully blends the fascinating story of Rachmaninoff's life with the historical background of his times. The author shows, too, how outside influences- the 1905 and 1917 revolutions, the Great War, the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression- very much affected Rachmaninoff as an artist. As well as the use of contemporary accounts, letters and reminiscences, the author has obtained recollections first-hand from distinguished musicians who knew the composer initmately and worked closely with him. The Book is illustrated throughout with photographs of the time, which are as fascinating as the text.