The first modern biography in English of Russian composer-pianist Anton Rubinstein, this book places Rubinstein within the context of Russian and western European musical culture during the late 19th century, exploring his rise to international fame from humble origins in Bessarabia, as well as his subsequent rapid decline and marginalization in later musical culture. Taylor provides a balanced account of Rubinstein's life and his career as a piano virtuoso, conductor, composer, and as the founder of Russia's first conservatory. Widely considered the virtuosic heir to Liszt, and recognized internationally as an equivalent cultural icon, he performed with most leading musicians of the day, including Liszt himself, Joachim, Clara Schumann, Vieuxtemps, Wieniawski, Saint-Saens, and Ysaÿe.
Philip S. Taylor is a member of the Institute of Translating and Interpreting, United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Foreword Leslie Howard ix Acknowledgments xiii Introduction xv Note on Transliteration xxvii Abbreviations for Sources xxix Prologue: The Historical Context 1 Return to Russia and First Opera, 1848-53 22 Foreign Tour, 1854-59 46 The Founding of the Russian Music Society and Russia's First Conservatory, 1859-67 82 Europe and America Concert Tour, 1867-73 123 A Villa at Peterhof and Operatic Successes, 1873-85 156 The Historical Concerts and Second Term as Director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, 1885-91 194 Dresden, 1891-94 220 Appendixes 239 Notes 283 Bibliography 309 Index 319
"Anton Rubinstein's multifarious activities as international virtuoso pianist, excellent conductor, important educator and prolific but inconsistent composer are considered in the context of his life by Philip Taylor. In this timely and well-researched book, he has given the Russian maestro his due after years of comparative neglect. Bravo!"--(Edward Garden, Professor of Music, Sheffield University (Emeritus))
