Senar: Sergei and Natalia Rachmaninov. Russia may refuse to buy Rachmaninov's estate in Switzerland Who gave the name to the estate in Switzerland Senar

  • 04.09.2019

Lake Vierwaldstättersee Literally from German it means “Lake of the Four Lands” or “Lake of the Four Cantons”. This name was given because the waters of this lake wash the shores of four cantons at once. Although tourists often call it simply Lake Lucerne- according to the most popular and big city on the shore.

This lake is often called the fjords of Switzerland - its winding shores are so picturesque. In fact, Lake Firvaldstätt consists of four basins connected by narrow straits, and the basin was formed by ancient glaciers descending from the mountains. Clear water saturated blue color in summer it warms up to 18 - 20 degrees.

The best time is August 1 to watch the fireworks on Lake Lucerne in honor of the founding of Switzerland. After all, it was on the shores of Lake Firwaldstätt that the eternal treaty of alliance, which became the origin of Switzerland, was signed.

Villa Senard and Rachmaninov

Thanks to the natural barrier to the cold northern winds in the form of, the area around the town of Weggis has developed its own subtropical microclimate - palm trees, figs and magnolias grow naturally. So this place is a wonderful summer resort, popular among the respectable public.

In this area, in the town of Hertenstein, commune of Weggis, composer Sergei Rachmaninov built his villa Senar. In it, with views of Mount Pilatus and Lake Firwaldstätt, he lived in the summer months from 1932 to 1934, and then completely moved to this villa and lived here until 1940. The layout of the villa and the two-story manor house is completely for the nostalgic reasons of the emigrant corresponded to the estate he left in Russia in Ivanovka (Tambov region), a similar garden was laid out with the same trees - apple trees, maples and chestnuts. In this villa, the composer wrote “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” one of his most famous and frequently performed works in the 21st century. Rachmaninov wanted to be buried here, but due to the outbreak of war he was forced to move to the USA, where he died and was buried.

By 2013, the Senar estate had preserved its original furnishings, furniture, musical instruments, Steinway grand piano, gifted to the composer by V. Steinway, unique items cultural heritage S. V. Rachmaninov - diaries, notes, correspondence, archive. On this moment The issue of buying the villa from the heirs of the Russian Federation and turning it into a museum of the composer is being discussed. The issue price is about 18 million Swiss francs.

Cruises on Lake Firvaldstätt:

A cruise across the entire Lake Firwaldstätt takes about 4 hours one way (from to). The cruise to Vitznau lasts about 1 hour. The ships are sailing all year round, but in winter there are fewer flights. There are themed circular cruises.

Cruise schedule on Lake Firvaldstät:

  • Winter cruise schedule from December 11, 2016 to April 13, 2017
  • Cruise schedule in the spring from April 14 to May 24, 2017
  • Summer cruise schedule from May 25th to September 10th, 2017
  • Cruise schedule in autumn from September 11th to October 22nd, 2017
  • Winter cruise schedule for the period October 23 – December 9, 2017

Cruises from Lucerne:

Map of cruise routes on Lake Firvaldstät:

Ticket prices for cruises on Lake Lucerne:

Tickets available for cruises on Lake Vierwaldstätt: Generalabonnemente, n. In this case, you do not need to pay anything extra.

You can get a 50% discount on a lake ticket with tickets:

Children 6 - 16 years old - 50% tariff.

Children under 5 years old inclusive are free.

Cost of one-way 2nd class tickets per adult:

  • Cruise Lucerne - Weggis: CHF 19.60
  • Cruise Lucerne - Vitznau: CHF 27.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Beckenried: CHF 31.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Brunnen: CHF 39.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Rütli: CHF 41.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Sisikon: CHF 43.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Tellsplatte: CHF 44.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Fluelen: CHF 46.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Alpnachstadt: CHF 27.00
  • Cruise Lucerne - Küstnacht am Rigi: CHF 27.00

Tagesbillett (all day):

  • Adults: CHF 72.00 / CHF 108.00 2nd and 1st class respectively
  • With Halbtax, children: CHF 36.00 / CHF 54.00 2nd and 1st class respectively
  • Upgrade from 1st to 2nd class: CHF 18.00

Ticket for Panoramic Yacht Saphir (1-hour circular cruise from Lucerne)

  • With halbtax: CHF 15.00
  • Without halbtax: CHF 25.00
  • With t GA / Swiss Travel Pass / InterRail / Eurail and children 6 – 16 years old: CHF 12.50

Spazier- und Stadtschiff (hopp on, hopp in the Lucerne part of the lake) - for the whole day:

  • With half tax: CHF 12.00
  • Without halbtax: CHF 24.00

Tell-Pass for Central Switzerland:

Free travel on trains, buses, ships and mountain lifts

  • 2 days CHF 170.00 / CHF 100.00
  • 3 days CHF 200.00 / CHF 130.00
  • 4 days CHF 220.00 / CHF 150.00
  • 5 days CHF 230.00 / CHF 160.00
  • 10 days CHF 280.00 / CHF 200.00
  • Kinder-Tell-Pass (fixed price for 2 - 10 days) CHF 30.00 / CHF 30.00

Hiking around Lake Firvaldstät:

Around Lake Firvaldstät there are many beautiful hiking routes with excellent views and all levels of difficulty. In good weather, this is an ideal place for a walk. For example, to the Rütli meadow, where the agreement on “Eternal Peace” was signed by representatives of the three forest cantons, and thus Switzerland was born.

The route along the shore of Lake Lucerne is very easy, even children can handle it. In order to enjoy panoramic views of the lake, it is worth climbing the mountains. A wide panoramic view opens from. You can generally enjoy the views from the panoramic windows of the Riga Kaltbad thermal baths. From Pilatus the view is spectacular due to the jutting teeth of the rocks, but not as panoramic. An excellent view of the lake also opens from Bürgenstock.

Rigi (1797 m)

In summer:

  • From either side: 41 CHF one way, 66 CHF both ways. Day ticket - 66 CHF.

In winter:

  • Skis and snowboard (full day and day ski pass from 11:45):
  • Adults: 47 CHF/ 42 CHF
  • Children 6 - 16: 23 CHF / 19 CHF
  • students: 36 CHF/ 33 CHF

Sled:

  • adults: 47 CHF
  • children 6 - 16: 23 CHF

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov, a hereditary Russian nobleman, a brilliant pianist and composer, has become a symbol of Russian music throughout the world, his works are listened to not only by music lovers, but also simple people the most different professions, ages and nationalities. Most of us know from school that after October revolution Rachmaninov emigrated to the USA and lived there for the last third of his life. But not everyone knows that every summer, from 1924 to 1939, he came to Europe and only returned to New York in the fall. Why?

S. Rachmaninov at the piano. Source: www.senar.ru

Overlooking the lake and mountain

A change of environment always benefits creativity. Rachmaninov lived in America, but loved to spend the summer months in Europe. The composer was burdened by the annual search for a vacation spot and spoke about the desire to settle in a certain place, without wandering around dachas and resorts in his old age. Helped with choosing a country musical critic Oscar Rieseman. He spoke with such enthusiasm about life in Switzerland and persuaded Rachmaninov to buy some plot of land there that Sergei Vasilyevich decided to go there. It should be noted that Rachmaninov’s first acquaintance with Switzerland took place in 1902; it was to this country that the musician and his wife went immediately after their wedding. Rachmaninov was captivated by the landscapes of Switzerland, which he admitted more than once: “The height of perfection. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than this in my life.” In 1930, the composer purchased a plot of land near Lucerne overlooking Lake Firvaldstät and Mount Pilatus. Sergei Vasilyevich named this estate Senar, combining the first two letters of his name and the name of his wife Natalya, adding to them the letter “R” - Rachmaninov.

House on the Senar estate. Source: www.senar.ru

Same as in Ivanovka

Nostalgia for his homeland prompted Rachmaninov to make the layout of the villa completely consistent with the estate he abandoned in Russia in Ivanovka (Tambov province), which the composer loved very much. Before emigrating, sparing no effort and resources, Rachmaninov took care of his Tambov estate, delved into economic issues, purchased for agricultural work the latest technology. With the same zeal, the composer began arranging his home in Switzerland. A similar garden was laid out with the same trees as in Russia - apple trees, maples, chestnuts, birches. Sergei Vasilyevich was pleased with his new home and stayed in good mood. Relatives who came to visit Rachmaninov recalled: “He showed us with great delight all the views, all the corners, obviously, happy with that that he finally has his own corner, and a safe one at that. He felt the insecurity of the world situation and firmly believed that Switzerland was the safest place in Europe." At this time, the composer often toured the Old World and gave concerts at the festival in Lucerne.

Senard- the estate of the Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff in Switzerland. Located in the town of Hertenstein, Weggis commune, in the canton of Lucerne on the shores of Lake Firwaldstätt overlooking Mount Pilatus.

The villa consists of two houses, 10 hectares of land with a garden, an embankment and a pier.

The name of the villa “Senar” is made up of the first letters of the names of the Rachmaninoff spouses - Sergei and Natalia, as well as the first letter of their surname.

On the estate, Rachmaninov created one of his most famous and frequently performed works -.

For the nostalgic reasons of the emigrant, the layout of the villa and the two-story manor house fully corresponded to the estate he left in Russia in Ivanovka (Tambov region); a similar garden was laid out with the same trees - apple trees, maples and chestnuts.

Rachmaninov expressed a desire to be buried in the Senard estate, but with the outbreak of World War II, the composer moved to the USA, his death found him in California, and he was buried near New York.

After the composer's death in 1943, the estate passed to his heirs, first to his second daughter Tatyana, and then to his grandson Alexander Rachmaninov (1933-2012), founder of the S. V. Rachmaninov Foundation.

By 2013, the Senar estate had preserved original furnishings, furniture, musical instruments, a Steinway grand piano, donated to the composer by V. Steinway, unique items of cultural heritage of S. V. Rachmaninov - diaries, sheet music, correspondence, archive.

Estate in the 21st century

After the death of Alexander Rachmaninov, the composer’s grandson and only heir, in early November 2012, the relatives planned to put the Senar estate up for auction with the subsequent sale of property and unique items of S. V. Rachmaninov’s cultural heritage piece by piece. According to A. Rachmaninov’s will, the rights to the estate and all interior items, as well as the archive, the piano and the composer’s personal belongings should go to the S. V. Rachmaninov Foundation, headed by the widow of the last owner, Natalya. At the same time, according to Swiss law, regardless of the will of the testator, 50% of the property of the deceased should be received by his children, of whom Rachmaninoff’s grandson has four from previous marriages.

In these circumstances, the artistic director of the S. V. Rachmaninov Foundation, pianist Denis Matsuev, raised with Russian President Vladimir Putin the issue of buying out the estate in favor of Russia for the establishment of the International cultural center - memorial museum composer, holding music master classes, festivals and competitions there. Issue price, according to expert assessments, is approximately 18 million Swiss francs (630-650 million rubles in 2013 conversion). President Putin agreed to make efforts to implement this idea using extrabudgetary funds. Soon the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation found a buyer who was ready to spend his personal savings in favor of the state and in the future bear the costs of maintaining the villa. Having learned about the ambitious intentions of the Russian side, the relatives of the last owner of the estate are conducting a new, fourth, assessment of the property with London experts at Sotheby's auction in order to clarify the real value of the object, choosing a sales scheme - wholesale or retail. Experts have proven that in its entirety “Senar” is of undeniable historical and museum value not only for Russia, but for the whole world.

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Notes

Excerpt characterizing Senar

At Krasnoe they took twenty-six thousand prisoners, hundreds of cannons, some kind of stick, which was called a marshal's baton, and they argued about who had distinguished himself there, and were pleased with that, but they very much regretted that they did not take Napoleon or at least some hero, Marshal, and reproached each other and especially Kutuzov for this.
These people, carried away by their passions, were blind executors of only the saddest law of necessity; but they considered themselves heroes and imagined that what they did was the most worthy and noble thing. They accused Kutuzov and said that from the very beginning of the campaign he had prevented them from defeating Napoleon, that he only thought about satisfying his passions and did not want to leave the Linen Factories because he was at peace there; that he stopped the movement near Krasny only because, having learned about Napoleon’s presence, he was completely lost; that it can be assumed that he is in a conspiracy with Napoleon, that he is bribed by him, [Wilson's Notes. (Note by L.N. Tolstoy.) ], etc., etc.
Not only did contemporaries, carried away by passions, say so, but posterity and history recognized Napoleon as grand, and Kutuzov: foreigners as a cunning, depraved, weak old court man; Russians - something indefinable - some kind of doll, useful only because of its Russian name...

In 12 and 13, Kutuzov was directly blamed for mistakes. The Emperor was dissatisfied with him. And in history, written recently by order of the highest, it is said that Kutuzov was a cunning court liar who was afraid of the name of Napoleon and with his mistakes at Krasnoye and near Berezina deprived the Russian troops of glory - a complete victory over the French. [The history of Bogdanovich in 1812: characteristics of Kutuzov and reasoning about the unsatisfactory results of the Krasnensky battles. (Note by L.N. Tolstoy.) ]
This is not the fate of great people, not grand homme, whom the Russian mind does not recognize, but the fate of those rare, always lonely people who, comprehending the will of Providence, subordinate their personal will to it. The hatred and contempt of the crowd punish these people for their insight into higher laws.
For Russian historians - it’s strange and scary to say - Napoleon is the most insignificant instrument of history - never and nowhere, even in exile, has not shown human dignity, – Napoleon is a subject of admiration and delight; he's grand. Kutuzov, the man who, from the beginning to the end of his activity in 1812, from Borodin to Vilna, without ever changing one action or word, shows an extraordinary example in history of self-sacrifice and consciousness in the present of the future significance of the event, – Kutuzov seems to them like something vague and pitiful, and when talking about Kutuzov and the 12th year, they always seem to be a little ashamed.
Meanwhile, it’s hard to imagine historical figure, whose activity would be so invariably constantly directed towards the same goal. It is difficult to imagine a goal more worthy and more consistent with the will of the entire people. It is even more difficult to find another example in history where the goal that a historical figure set for himself would be so completely achieved as the goal towards which all of Kutuzov’s activities were directed in 1812.
Kutuzov never spoke about the forty centuries that look out from the pyramids, about the sacrifices he makes for the fatherland, about what he intends to do or has done: he didn’t say anything about himself at all, didn’t play any role, always seemed to be the simplest and most ordinary a person and said the simplest and most ordinary things. He wrote letters to his daughters and m me Stael, read novels, loved company beautiful women, joked with generals, officers and soldiers and never contradicted those people who wanted to prove something to him. When Count Rastopchin on the Yauzsky Bridge rode up to Kutuzov with personal reproaches about who was to blame for the death of Moscow, and said: “How did you promise not to leave Moscow without fighting?” - Kutuzov replied: “I will not leave Moscow without a battle,” despite the fact that Moscow had already been abandoned. When Arakcheev, who came to him from the sovereign, said that Yermolov should be appointed chief of artillery, Kutuzov replied: “Yes, I just said that myself,” although a minute later he said something completely different. What did he care, the only one who then understood the whole enormous meaning of the event, among the stupid crowd surrounding him, what did he care whether Count Rostopchin attributed the disaster of the capital to himself or to him? He could be even less interested in who would be appointed chief of artillery.
Not only in these cases, but constantly this an old man having reached through life experience the conviction that the thoughts and words that serve as their expression are not the engines of people, he spoke completely meaningless words - the first ones that came to his mind.
But this same man, who so neglected his words, never once in all his activity uttered a single word that was not in accordance with the single goal towards which he was striving during the entire war. Obviously, involuntarily, with a heavy confidence that they would not understand him, he repeatedly expressed his thoughts in a wide variety of circumstances. Starting from the Battle of Borodino, from which his discord with those around him began, he alone said that battle of Borodino there is victory, and he repeated this verbally, and in reports, and reports until his death. He alone said that the loss of Moscow is not the loss of Russia. In response to Lauriston’s proposal for peace, he replied that there could be no peace, because such was the will of the people; he alone, during the French retreat, said that all our maneuvers were not needed, that everything would turn out better by itself than we wished, that the enemy should be given a golden bridge, that neither the Tarutino, nor the Vyazemsky, nor the Krasnenskoye battles were needed, what with what Someday you have to come to the border, so that he won’t give up one Russian for ten Frenchmen.

The Ministry of Culture has received an order from Russian President Vladimir Putin on the acquisition of the Swiss estate of Sergei Rachmaninov “Senar” into Russian ownership. Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky told Izvestia about this.

There is a corresponding instruction from the president. It's a good idea, but expensive. We are thinking about how to solve this problem,” the minister said.

At the moment, the estate is valued at more than 18 million Swiss francs (639 million rubles). These are two houses, 10 hectares of land with a garden, an embankment and a pier.

Now is a more than opportune moment to buy Senar - for the first time in many years, Rachmaninov’s relatives intend to sell it, moreover, they want to see Russia as the buyer.

The last owner of the estate was the composer's grandson, founder and president of the Rachmaninov Foundation, Alexander Rachmaninov, who died on November 1, 2012. According to his will, the rights to the estate and all interior items, as well as the archive, piano and personal belongings of the composer were to go to the foundation, which after the death of Alexander Rachmaninov was headed by his widow Natalya.

However, according to Swiss law, regardless of the will, 50% of the deceased’s property should be received by the children, of whom Rachmaninov’s grandson had four left from previous marriages.

My idea is to sell the house, all property and archives of Russia,” Natalya Rakhmaninova told Izvestia. - Half of the amount received should be paid to the children, and the remaining 50% will belong to the foundation, and we will be able to continue the work that my husband started. I personally addressed the president of the country; the foundation’s lawyer works in contact with the Russian Embassy. I am waiting for the decision of the Russian government.

The sooner such a decision is made, the more likely it is that the composer’s property and his archive will remain safe and sound, and Russia will receive a unique house-museum.

Prompt action is forced by complex property relations between the composer’s great-grandchildren and Natalya Rachmaninova, which she told Izvestia about.

According to Swiss laws, the first inventory of property was carried out by a local notary, then the initial assessment of the value of the house and land was carried out by an expert architect, the value of paintings, furniture, and a piano was carried out by an antiquarian. Experts from Russian Museum musical culture named after Glinka, they determined the museum value of “Senar” - letters, books, personal belongings. The rector of the Moscow Conservatory, Alexander Sokolov, also got involved. “We were talking about the possibility of organizing a museum,” explained Natalya Rachmaninova.

Now, according to her, the composer’s three great-grandsons want to conduct a new examination of the villa and property - to establish not the museum price, but the market price. In this case, the examination will prove the obvious: selling property at retail will give greater profit than selling it wholesale.

But the sale will only be wholesale, and nothing else,” says Natalya Rakhmaninova. - Experts have proven that Senar is of undeniable historical and museum value not only for Russia, but for the whole world. We have no right to let the last true legacy of a great musician go to waste.

The idea of ​​buying the Senar villa (the name is derived from the first letters of the name of Rachmaninov and his wife Natalya, as well as their last name) was repeatedly voiced by pianists Andrei Gavrilov and Denis Matsuev. The latter, at a recent meeting of the Presidential Council for Culture, addressed Vladimir Putin with a corresponding request, after which the Ministry of Culture took up the issue.

For Minister Medinsky, the patriotic aspect is important in the possible acquisition of a small Russian enclave near Lucerne: he is concerned that in the West Rachmaninov is often called an American composer, which is “offensive and unfair,” since “Rachmaninov has always been and remained a deeply Russian person.”

In a conversation with Izvestia, the minister also emphasized the special value of Senar as a museum.

The object is unique, not only in terms of location, but primarily because it is actually a museum great amount things that belonged to Rachmaninov. Diaries, sheet music, correspondence, clothes, furniture, the piano on which he composed and played music. Not to mention the fact that the house was built according to Rachmaninov’s design. This is a piece of his life, preserved in its original form,” Medinsky concluded.

In addition, the acquisition of an estate promises material dividends for our fatherland. According to Andrei Gavrilov, “if this complex belonged to Russia, then the most unique, living Rachmaninov house would appear.”

The money would come back with great profit. Master classes, concerts, recordings, seminars, tourists from all over the world - all this would quickly pay for any financial expenses, - Izvestia’s interlocutor is sure.

"Senar" is located in the village of Hertenstein on the shores of Lake Vierwaldstät (canton of Lucerne). The estate was acquired by Rachmaninov in 1930, next year the composer began building a two-story house, laying out a garden and arranging a pier. The Rachmaninov family moved to Senard by 1934 and remained there until the outbreak of World War II, when they moved to the United States.

Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky said that “Russia may refuse to purchase Rachmaninov’s estate,” since the descendants of the great composer cannot decide on the terms of its sale. “If Sergei Rachmaninov’s relatives do not agree on the terms of the sale of the composer’s family estate “Senar” in Switzerland, Russia may refuse to purchase it,” Medinsky explained to today’s Izvestia.

Grigoriev, Boris (1886-1939) - Portrait of Sergei Rachmaninoff

“We are ready to buy the estate for the price previously named by the heirs - 17 million Swiss francs (approximately 647 million rubles). They will be contributed by one of the Russian philanthropists - I have no right to disclose his name. This amount includes the entire estate and property - land, house, furniture, pianos, personal belongings and documents of the composer Only in this case can the purchase be cultural and cultural. historical value, since all this will become the basis of the center of Russian art in the canton of Lucerne, where Senar is located. The heirs want to sell the estate and property at retail - they believe that this is more profitable for them. We are not happy with this option,” the minister emphasized.

The fact that the composer's relatives still cannot come to an agreement on the method of selling the estate and the subsequent division of the proceeds was confirmed to the newspaper by the widow of the composer's grandson, Natalya Rachmaninova. “We are at an impasse. The price has been determined, a buyer has been found, but it is unknown when the other heirs (three great-grandsons and the composer’s granddaughter) will make their choice,” explained Natalya Nikolaevna, who advocates a comprehensive sale of Senar.

Meanwhile, the art director of the Rachmaninov Foundation, chairman of the public council under the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Denis Matsuev, has no doubt about Russia’s acquisition of Senar, and the Foundation already has many ideas about the arrangement of Senar. "This will be a real place of pilgrimage. On its territory there is a small area where a festival could be held on outdoors. I have no doubt that life will boil there,” Matsuev is sure.

"Senar" (the name is derived from the first letters of the name of Rachmaninov and his wife Natalya, as well as their surname) is located in the village of Hertenstein on the shore of Lake Firwaldstät (canton of Lucerne), the newspaper recalls. The estate was bought by Rachmaninov in 1930, and the next year the composer began building a two-story house, laying out a garden and developing a pier. The Rachmaninoff family moved to Senard by 1934 and remained there until the outbreak of World War II.

The desire to transfer the estate to management Russian state originated from its former owner, the grandson of the composer Alexander Rachmaninov.