- He was possibly the greatest pianist of the early 20th century. During his lifetime, he was as famous for being a pianist as for being a composer.
- Had two Steinway concert grand pianos at his home in Los Angeles, where he entertained his Hollywood guests playing concerts together with his friend Vladimir Horowitz.
- Always had a piano technician traveling with him, because he refused to touch a poorly maintained piano. He used to say that in order to make a great performance you need a great piano. He had a similar attention to his cars: he hired a personal car mechanic for custom care about his two luxury cars.
- His favorite piano was Hamburg Steinway concert model D-274. He bought several concert Steinways for himself: one for his villa in Switzerland, two for his home in New York, and two for his home in Los Angeles.
- He was the first living pianist composer to make recordings of all his piano concertos, with himself as soloist.
- Performances of his famous work, Prelude in C-sharp minor, were so often demanded by the public that he grew tired of playing it.
- He and legendary pianist Vladimir Horowitz were best friends.
- His surname has also been spelled Rachmaninoff.
- The Eric Carmen song "All By Myself" borrows a melody from Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto. Another Carmen song, "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again", is based on his 2nd symphony.
- Rachmaninoff's technical perfection was legendary. His large hands were able to span a twelfth, that is an octave and a half or, for example, a stretch from middle C to high G.
- His last name means "son of the lazy one". Rachmanin, which means lazy in Old Russian, was a nickname given to sons of men named Vasily, as he descends from the Vasily line of ancient Russian princes.
- Sergei Rachmaninoff spoke in deep basso voice.
- Sergei Rachmaninoff was known for prefect accuracy on the piano keyboard, which he achieved through arduous practice by repeating difficult passages many times in a very slow tempo.
- In December of 2021, Rachmaninoff's Swiss villa "Senar" was approved by Luzern Canton legislators for purchase to become part of Swiss historic and cultural heritage, like the Wagner museum nearby. The price is 15.5 million Swiss Francs.
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