Rachmaninov being one of my favorite composers, I have been wanting to read a biography of him for a long time. Having heard this was the 'definitive' biography I got it out of the library.

I have to say I really enjoyed it. As an admirer of Rachmaninov's recordings, moreover, I appreciated the detailed coverage of these in the book - and the very comprehensive list of everything Rach every recorded in the appendix!

However, I recall seeing a 'review' of this book somewhere (it may have even been on the back of the book, but as I've sent it back to the library now I can't check) which described it as 'objective'. This is COMPLETE NONSENSE. Harrison has his own, very clear-cut opinions (some obvious, such as his opinion on the worth of various works by Rachmaninov, and some more subtle), many of which I personally disagree with (although this by no means spoiled the book.)

It was these judgements that irritated me while I was reading, largely because the author presented them as 'facts' rather than as what they were, simply an opinion. Neverthless, this book is extremely comprehensive and well structured and I feel no need to go seeking out another biography of Rachmaninov for comparison. ( )