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Depression And The Composer: Rachmaninoff’s Story | Northwest Public Broadcasting

“For years, Rachmaninoff dealt with his depression the same way people have for centuries before modern therapies – he lived with it, he coped and he tried to move on. But then came a catalyst: the total disaster that was the premier of his first symphony.

For the next three years, Rachmaninoff was in a downward spiral – he barely composed and rarely performed. There was some good to come out of this rough period, however. He began gaining more confidence and experience as a conductor, he traveled, and became engaged to a long-time friend, Natalia Satina. His depression worsened until his family stepped in.

In early spring of 1900, Rachmaninoff’s aunt suggested he try a new treatment from Sigmund Freud called psychoanalysis. Rachmaninoff took this aunt’s advice and started seeing therapist Nicolai Dahl, a physician practicing hypnotherapy and psychotherapy.

By that summer, Rachmaninoff was back to composing and months later he was at the piano in front of an audience – confidence restored and playing portions of his Piano Concerto No. 2. When he finished the concerto, one year after starting therapy, he dedicated it to Dahl.”