Sergei Rachmaninoff

Born in Novgorod Governorate (Russian Empire). His interest in music became evident in early childhood. His first piano lessons were given to him by his mother. In 1882 he entered the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, in 1885 the junior division of the Moscow Conservatory, and in 1888 its senior division. At the age of 19 Rachmaninoff graduated from the conservatory with the Great Gold Medal. 1904-1906: conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre. From December 1917 he lived abroad (1918: USA). He died in Beverly Hills (USA).