Rachmaninov Villa

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Villa Rachmaninow or Senar in Hertenstein in the Swiss municipality of Weggis was the residence of the Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninow in the summer months from 1932 to 1939 . He himself called his property on the shores of Lake Lucerne “Senar”, an acronym consisting of the names Sergei and Natalia Rachmaninow.

history

Rachmaninov acquired the property in the Zinne area in Hertenstein in 1930 and had an existing building demolished. He commissioned the architects Alfred Möri and Karl Friedrich Krebs with the construction of the villa, including the outbuildings and boathouse. The then ultra-modern buildings in the style of New Building , a current of the Bauhaus style, were built between 1931 and 1933.

Considerable adjustments to the terrain and the construction of a retaining wall near the lake shore were necessary for the design of the spacious park. Rachmaninov's motorboat was housed in the boathouse, with which he could reach Lucerne in about 15 minutes. The upscale lifestyle of the residents of Senar also included exclusive cars with drivers.

During his time at Lake Lucerne, among other things, two of his late works were created: The Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini op.43 and the 3rd Symphony op.44.

In 1939, Rachmaninoff's last stay in Switzerland ended shortly before the outbreak of World War II . He returned to the USA, where he died in 1943. Senar remained in family ownership and over the decades it was inhabited by Rachmaninoff's younger daughter Tatiana and her son Alexander, who died in 2012.

The villa and the outbuilding are still almost in their original condition. The original interior is also largely preserved. The concert grand piano , which Rachmaninoff received from Steinway & Sons , has stood in the studio since 1934 . The archive contains over 500 photographs, 250 books from Rachmaninov's library and several hundred original letters. Clothing and other personal items complete the collection.

The listed property is now the seat of the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation and is only accessible to visitors during events. In autumn 2013 it became known that the Russian state was trying to buy the property. In 2019 there is still uncertainty about the further use of the villa. The Rachmaninoff Foundation would like to take it over, but has not yet been able to reach an agreement with the heirs.

literature

  • Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (Ed.): Guarding the Rachmaninoff flame. Weggis 2013.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Ulf Mauder: Rachmaninov's estate - Kremlin chief Putin struggles for Russian culture. In: Neue Musikzeitung , November 23, 2013, accessed on December 22, 2013.
  2. [1]

Coordinates: 47 ° 1 '52.3 "  N , 8 ° 23' 52.1"  E ; CH1903:  672908  /  209351