Biography of Anton Rubinstein
19th-Century Russian Pianist, Composer & Teacher of Tchaikovsky
Feb 29, 2008
Anton Rubinstein's piano playing is often compared to Franz Liszt. He was a prolific Russian composer, a child virtuoso and acclaimed as one of the greatest 19th century pianists best known for Melody in F. He enjoyed enormous international success. Tchaikovsky was among his pupils.
One of his popular compositions is the "Album de Peterhof, Op.75" that forms a beautiful musical picture of memories. Peterhof was his favorite summer retreat with his family. He died there 8 days before his birthday anniversary. Rubinstein had two sons and a daughter by his wife Vera Tschekouanoff, daughter of a Russian general.
Early Life, Training, and the European Tours
Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894), Russian composer, pianist and teacher, was born in Vikhyatinets, on November 28, 1829, oof Slavic-Jewish-German descent. Anton’s music education started with his mother who gave him piano lessons. Nikolay Rubinstein, a known pianist and teacher, is his younger brother. At the age of five, his family moved to Moscow where his father set up a pencil factory.
At the young age of ten, he had his debut in Moscow then went on European concert tour, including London, but the tour barely paid for itself. In Paris, he met Liszt and Chopin. Soon after, he returned to Moscow in 1843. Then the family decided that together with his brother Nikolay they should go to Berlin for further study in composition. He also studied counterpoint and harmony. Unfortunately, Anton's father died. Rubinstein lived in poverty and met both ends by teaching privately, before returning to Russia in 1848. He was 19.
The Pianist and Conductor
In later years, Anton Rubinstein went to Germany bringing with him many of his compositions. His music career was also promoted by Mendelssohn. Then in 1858, he settled in St Petersburg and became court pianist and conductor there.
Founder of Russian Musical Society and St Petersburg Conservatory
A year later, when he founded the Russian Musical Society with his patron the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, with the purpose of improving Russia's musical education system. In 1862 he founded St. Petersburg Conservatory, the first such school in Russia, and eventually served as its the director. While he was influential, Rubinstein was also a controversial figure in the musical life. Unfortunately, he was much denigraded by his fellow musicians, whether out of anti-semitism prejudice or hostility. In particular, resistance came from the "Mighty Five" group of nationalist composers led by Balakirev. Nevertheless, his work education made its mark on musical standards throughout the country.
The Composer
Being exceptionally prolific as a composer, he worked in haste and unable to rise above the commonplace. Only his Melody in F op.3 no.1 for piano (still popular to this day) and the opera Demon achieved success.
Works of Anton Rubinstein
Rubinstein's works range from twenty operas including Demon, six symphonies including Symphony No.2 “Ocean” in seven movements, violin concertos, some 10 string quartets, and much chamber music, piano pieces and songs. He was a prolific Russian composer.
Sources:
The Grove concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie, Macmillan (1994)
The Oxford Companion to Music, edited by Alison Latham, OUP (2002)
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