Anton Rubinstein

Classical Composers Datebook: November 28


Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and founder of St Petersburg Conservatory and Russian Musical Society
 

Anton Rubinstein (Gigor’yevich) (born Vikhvatinets, 28 November 1829 - died Peterhof, 20 November 1894), was a Russian pianist, composer and teacher. His piano playing is often compared to Liszt, was a prolific Russian composer, a child  virtuoso and acclaimed as one of the greatest 19th century pianists. 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.

The video below is the most famous music of Rubinstein in the orchestral version. (Paintings by Pierre Auguste Renoir.) Sorry, I don't have info who interpreted the music.




Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894), Russian composer, pianist and teacher, was born in Vikhyatinets, on November 28, 1829, of 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 age of ten, he had his debut in Moscow then went on European concert tour, including London, but the tour barely paid for itself.

Brahms Symphony No. 1

Classical Music / Symphony

 

Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68


Johannes Brahms spent at least fourteen years completing his Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. His sketches date from 1854. He declared that this work, from sketches to finishing touches, took 21 years, from 1855 to 1876. The premiere of this symphony, conducted by his friend Felix Otto Desssoff, was on 4 November 1876, in Karlruhe, then in the Grand Duchy of Baden. A typical performance lasts between 45 and 50 minutes.

Enjoy listening to the video below conducted by Paavo Järvi, with Orchestre de Paris - Brahms: Symphony No.1 in C Minor, Op.68.

 

Sydney Philharmonia's VOX and Synergy

Choral Singing / VOX and Synergy

A musical collaboration between Synergy Percussion and Sydney Philharmonia's VOX.

Programme:

Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001),  Idmen A 
Dan Forrester (b. 1978), Three Nocturnes
Melody Eötvös (b. 1984), World Premiere of a new work
Xenakis, Ohko
Eric Whitacre (b. 1970),  Sleep
Luke Byrne (b. 1980), Desert Sea


The name Petra belies the colossal, elemental and timeless nature of this program. There is a primal, ancient connection between voice and percussion, and in this hotly anticipated collaboration, VOX and Synergy deliver the full musical gamut, from the most melodic to the most rhythmic, from soothing “night” music to the musical equivalent of a titan battle-sequence.


The music of Greek composer Iannis Xenakis has achieved a cult status - almost a mythical aura about it - and his work for choir and percussion Idmen is a virtuosic and visceral tour de force for both ensembles. This is to the best of our knowledge the first time it has been presented in its entirety in Australia.