Question

Asmik Grigorian’s 2022 album Dissonance features pieces by this composer, including a dreamy song in 9/4 (“nine-four”) whose narrator says that their only happiness “lives in the lilacs.” In January 2023, five of this composer’s pieces were performed back-to-back in a 4.5-hour concert (15[1])by Yuja Wang and the Philadelphia Orchestra for this composer’s 150th birthday. The notes “E, D-sharp, long E” begin the last of this composer’s Opus 34 14 Romances, a (*) Vocalise (“vo-kuh-LEESE”) for soprano that is often transcribed for (10[1])other instruments. This composer underwent hypnotherapy to help him through a mental breakdown that he suffered after the disastrous premiere of his first symphony, after which he wrote his massively successful Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor. For 10 points, name this Russian composer of four difficult piano concerti and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. ■END■

ANSWER: Sergei Rachmaninoff [or Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff]
<IZ, Auditory Fine Arts>
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PlayerTeamOpponentBuzz PositionValue
Richard NiuCornell RSyracuse+Rochester4115
Gene BalianCornell MATLABRIT7810