Anton Rubinstein (1829–1894) was a Russian pianist, composer, and conductor, who remains one of the towering figures in 19th-century music. Born into a musical family, Rubinstein showed prodigious talent from a young age, performing his first concert at the age of nine. Over his lifetime, he would come to be regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his era, known for his virtuosic technique and deeply emotional performances. Apart from his extensive touring as a performer, Rubinstein was also a prolific composer, contributing significantly to the Romantic repertoire. His compositions, which include a vast array of piano concertos, symphonies, operas, chamber works, and solo piano pieces, often reflected his passion for the grandiose and the expressive, bridging the gap between Eastern European and Western musical traditions.

Beyond his performance and compositional achievements, Anton Rubinstein's legacy is also cemented through his contributions to music education in Russia. He was a key figure in the establishment of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, serving as its first director. This institution would go on to nurture the talents of many prominent Russian composers, securing Rubinstein's vision of elevating the musical standards in his homeland. Despite facing criticism and controversy, often stemming from his ambitious, reformist ideals and his Jewish background, Rubinstein's influence on the development of Russian music is indisputable. His efforts in promoting musical education and his extensive body of work have left an indelible mark on the classical music world.

Genres

Late Romantic Era

Russian Romanticism

Latest Release

Women of Piano. Great Female Pianists of the Golden Age

Teresa Carreño•

Myra Hess•

Edvard Grieg•

Robert Schumann•

Franz Liszt•

Ludwig van Beethoven•

Ethelbert Nevin•

Claude Debussy•

Modest Mussorgsky•

Alexander Scriabin•

François Couperin•

Edward MacDowell•

Anton Rubinstein•

Alexander Borodin•

Karol Szymanowski•

Johannes Brahms•

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky•

George Frideric Handel•

Bedřich Smetana

Album - 31 Tracks - Released February 8, 2024