Sergey Vassilievich Rachmaninov (1873 – 1943). Derided by critics of his own era for adhering to a staunchly Romantic musical aesthetic, Sergei Rachmaninoff nevertheless became one of the most popular and respected composers of all time. Known primarily for his piano works (particularly the second and third concertos), Rachmaninoff was also a world-class pianist whose recordings are still widely available.