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Sergei Rachmaninov: Fear of Failure

Kit Harington narrates how Rachmaninov - Russian music’s brightest star - was floored by paralysing writer’s block… and how through therapy he overcame it to create a masterpiece.

Kit Harington narrates how Rachmaninov - Russian music’s brightest star - was floored by paralysing writer’s block after a catastrophic premiere in 1897. And how, through one doctor’s remarkable and controversial therapy, the composer overcame it to create a masterpiece.

In this episode, Kit Harington is in the psychiatrist’s therapy room with the Russian composer to discover how Rachmaninov found the courage to create again. After his First Symphony was mocked and pilloried by critics, the composer suddenly found himself unable to write a note, assailed by a crippling fear of failure. But through the talking therapies of Dr Nikolai Dahl - including an early form of hypnosis - Rachmaninov slowly came back to himself, to create one of his most cherished works: the Second Piano Concerto.

In Facing The Music, we experience the human drama behind some of the most extraordinary classical music ever written, told by legendary figures of stage and screen including Toby Jones, Maxine Peake, Andrew Lincoln and Don Warrington. Ten episodes explore the human frailties, obsessions, emotions and vulnerabilities we all experience, and the composers who confronted them - to create extraordinary music that would stand the test of time. In each episode we hear from creatives, psychologists and other experts to understand what we can all learn from their hopes, their struggles and their music.

This episode is narrated by Kit Harington, and features contributors from writer and UK Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell Boyce and psychiatrist and concert pianist Dr Richard Kogan. The programme is written and produced by Leonie Thomas.

Facing The Music is an Overcoat Media production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 3
The series is written and produced by Hannah Dean, Leonie Thomas, Gareth Ceredig, Katie Hill and Barney Rowntree – with additional production from Melvin Rickarby
Original Music: Peter Gregson
Sound Design and Mixing: Mike Woolley, with additional mixing by John Scott
Executive Producer: Steven Rajam
Additional Writing and Development: Martin Jameson
Production Management: Amy Wheel and Janice Jardine

Release date:

29 minutes

On radio

Fri 21 Feb 2025 21:30

Broadcast

  • Fri 21 Feb 2025 21:30