This dour looking Russian is Rachmaninoff

He composed nice stuff. Sad, introspective, gorgeous, difficult...all that.  It was and is "date music" - if of course you can convince the poor girl that you aren't a complete nerd before you spring early 20th century Russian symphonic music on her as the creame de le creme of the evening.


This is his Vocalise.  It is really nice and pleasant and short..but you can get your feet wet.