Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) is regarded as one of the most versatile musicians of his time. He wrote symphonies, piano concertos, chamber music, tone poems, operas and songs. As concert pianist he was in great international demand, his many concert tours brought him to Europe and the United States. During World War I he fled through Sweden to the U.S. with his family, and he almost totally lost his inspiration for composing. In 1903, he moved back to Europe, buying a property in Switzerland and building a great mansion. In consequence of World War II he had to flee to the U.S. again, where he died in Beverly Hills in 1943, just before his 70th birthday.