Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein (1829 –1894)
was a Jewish Russian pianist, composer and conductor who became a pivotal
figure in Russian culture when he founded the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. As a pianist, Rubinstein ranks among the great
19th-century keyboard virtuosos. He became most famous for his series of
historical recitals—seven enormous, consecutive concerts covering the history
of piano music. Rubinstein played this series throughout Russia and Eastern
Europe and in the United States when he toured there. Although best remembered
as a pianist and educator (most notably in the latter as the composition
teacher of Tchaikovsky), Rubinstein was also a prolific composer throughout
much of his life. He wrote 20 operas, the best known of which is The Demon. He
composed many other works, including five piano concertos, six symphonies and
many solo piano works along with a substantial output of works for chamber
ensemble.