A significant contribution to the development of the musical culture of Russia was made by Anton Rubinstein. His works, such as the sketch of Ondine, the operas Christos, Dmitry Donskoy, Demon, symphonic poems Faust, Ivan the Terrible and many others, brought him world recognition. It is he who is considered the founder in the development of pianism. Many compositions performed by him are tremendous success even in our time.
Childhood story
The world famous author, conductor and music teacher was Anton Grigorievich Rubinstein. His biography began on November 16, 1829 in the village of Vykhvatinets of the Podolsk province (Transnistrian Moldavian Republic) in a wealthy Jewish family. His dad, Grigory Romanovich, was a merchant for several generations. Mom, Karelia Khristoforovna, was a musician. The great musician also had two younger sisters and a brother. When Anton was about three years old, his family moved to Moscow.
The beginning of creative activity
The mother introduced the initial sources of musical art to the hero of our story. At the age of seven, Anton Rubinstein took lessons from the famous composer A.I. Villouana, thanks to which he gained professional piano skills . The first performance at the age of ten paved the way for him to fame. Immediately after a successful performance, he sets off accompanied by his mentor with a concert tour of Europe.
A few years later, the Rubinstein family moved to Berlin. There he continued to study music, but now the famous Siegfried Den became his teacher. It is here that the young musician meets the outstanding Felix Mendelssohn and Giacomo Meyerbeer.
When Anton was seventeen, after the death of his father, his mother and younger brother returned to Moscow, and Rubinstein went to live in Vienna. In order to somehow live, he gives individual music lessons for children from wealthy families.
Three years after moving, he again comes to Russia. Having settled in St. Petersburg, Anton Rubinstein is conducting. In addition, he gives private concerts at the royal court, which are a huge success. Also at this time, his creative activity was intertwined with famous composers and cellists, such as M.I. Glinka, A.S. Dargomyzhsky, M.Yu. Vielgorsky, K. B. Schubert.
Artworks
In 1850, a concert performance takes place, where the hero of our story makes his debut as a conductor. And two years later, he writes one of the largest operas - "Dmitry Donskoy." Soon after the first experiment, as a composer, Anton Rubinstein created three one-act works: "Revenge", "Siberian Hunters" and "Fomka the Fool." Also at this time he takes the first unsuccessful steps to create a musical institution in St. Petersburg.
In 1854, Rubinstein decided to move to the German town of Weimar, where he met F. Liszt, who helps him in staging the opera. In the winter of 1854, the composer performs a concert in Gewandhaus, which ends in great triumph. After this success, he goes on a regular concert tour in major cities such as Vienna, Munich, Hamburg, Nice.
Homecoming
A few years later, upon arrival in Russia, Anton Rubinstein directs all his efforts to the opening of the Russian Musical Society. It is here, performing works, he acts as the conductor of the orchestra. In addition, the composer does not stop his touring activities abroad. After the opening of the classes, the Company was reorganized into the First Russian Conservatory. The famous pianist Rubinstein was not only one of its first leaders, but also the conductor of the orchestra and choir, a professor of piano and arrangement.
In 1867, due to disagreements related to the role of the music school he opened, which arose with no less famous musical figures of that time, he resigned as director.
Great work
A few years later Anton Rubinstein wrote the greatest work - "Demon". It was his censors who did not miss for another four years. Meanwhile, the composer is the head of the concerts of the Society of Friends of Music in Vienna.
In 1873, he went on a tour of America together with Henryk Wieniawski (violinist). Returning one year later to Peterhof, the composer writes the Fourth and Fifth Symphonies for musical works “Maccabees” and “Merchant Kalashnikov”.
In the years 1885-1886, a series of significant historical concerts took place in the cities of central Europe, where almost all solo works for piano were sounded. And a year later, Rubinstein was again appointed to a leading position in the conservatory.
On November 8, 1894, while in Peterhof, Anton G. Rubinstein died. He was buried in the Necropolis, in the cemetery of artists.
Success
Undoubtedly, Anton Rubinstein made a huge contribution to the creation of the first music school in Russia. The biography of this outstanding person indicates that all his life he was an ideological fighter for the cultural enlightenment of the people. Therefore, he is also considered the founder of music education. His students were such famous people as P.I. Tchaikovsky, I. Hoffman, G.A. Laroche.
Almost all musical genres are covered by the creative heritage of Anton Rubinstein. The masterpieces written by him became vivid examples of Russian lyric opera.
So, throughout his life he wrote a large number of works, including 13 operas, 6 symphonies, 5 oratorios and concerts for piano and orchestra, more than 120 romances and songs, over 200 compositions for the piano.
His trials as the author of some books, such as Autobiographical Stories, Music and Its Representatives, and Box of Thoughts, were also successful. In them, the author openly described his views on life, the musical and creative activities of many famous composers of the past and the present.
Thus, we can confidently say that Anton Rubinstein made an invaluable contribution to the musical culture. The biography of this great man shows that he opened the way for the creation of great creations with his works.
For his professional activities, he was awarded the Order of Merit in the Field of Art and Science.