Rubinstein: Six Preludes & Fugues in Free Style & Three Pieces, Op. 71
4/28/2023, 16 Tracks, 1:26:19
Featuring
Martin Cousin
Anton Rubinstein
Did you know?
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Performer Biography
Martin Cousin, the pianist on this recording, won First Prize at the 2005 Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition and the Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal Over-Seas League Annual Music Competition.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Anton Rubinstein adhered to the 'German School' of composition, with clear influences from Mendelssohn and Schumann, rather than the 'Russian School' of composers like Balakirev and Mussorgsky.
Historical Context
Anton Rubinstein's career coincided with the piano's rise to stardom as the most played musical instrument, which aided his enormous popularity.
Cultural Impact
Anton Rubinstein founded the Russian Musical Society, which led to the establishment of the St Petersburg and Moscow Conservatories, a significant achievement for Russian music.
Critical Reception
During Anton Rubinstein's lifetime, his compositions were widely popular due to their easily appreciated musical style and dramatic sense, though hindsight now views his compositions as less significant than his pianism.
Performer Biography
Pianist Martin Cousin's hands were featured in the Oscar-winning film Shine.
Composer Biography
Anton Rubinstein, a child prodigy, toured Europe from 1840 to 1843, meeting figures such as Chopin, Liszt, and Mendelssohn.
