Rachmaninoff Symphony Score Sells in London for $2.2 Million

The 'original' handwritten manuscript, containing corrections and annotations, of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff''s Second Symphony has sold at auction, in London, by Sotheby's for £1.2 Million (2.2 Million USD).

The work received its premiere in St Petersburg in 1908, though the manuscript was later lost - only surfacing in 2004 amongst a private estate.

The 320-page score is the only known record of Rachmaninoff's original thoughts for the work, as following the disappearance, the composer recreated the orchestration into the revised form heard today.

Sotheby's have simply indicated 'it was purchased by a private collector'.