Rubinstein's Sonata No. 1, Op. 18, is dedicated to François Servais, a celebrated Belgian cellist and composer whom Berlioz called 'the Paganini of the cello'.
Performer Biography
Alain Meunier, the cellist on this recording, is considered an authentic heir to the French cello school and has had works written for him by numerous contemporary composers.
Composer Biography
Anton Rubinstein, along with Tchaikovsky, was a leading figure in the 'westernising' trend of Russian music in the latter half of the 19th century.
Compositional Technique
Rubinstein's Sonata No. 2, Op. 39, showcases his expressive freedom, molding forms to accommodate a constantly and felicitously variable musical invention.
Composer Biography
Rubinstein was a famous and acclaimed pianist and a co-founder of the St Petersburg Conservatory, which he directed from 1862 to 1867.
Compositional Technique
Despite being dedicated to a virtuoso, Rubinstein's Sonata No. 1, Op. 18, avoids the overt virtuosity one might expect from a work for 'the Paganini of the cello'.
Critical Reception
Rubinstein's music was often judged negatively by the 'Group of Five' composers, who advocated for a more explicitly national Russian music.
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