Rudolf Tobias was the first Estonian composer to receive a professional education and laid the foundations for Estonian instrumental music.
Composition History
The First String Quartet in D minor was written for a chamber music competition organized by Russian patron Mitrofan Beljajew, but it did not win an award.
Composition History
Tobias's Piano Concerto in D minor, written in the same year as his cantata, is considered the first Estonian piano concerto.
Composer Biography
Rudolf Tobias studied organ with Louis Homilius and composition with Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.
Composition History
Rudolf Tobias's cantata 'Johannes Damascenus' was the first vocal-symphonic work in the history of Estonian music.
Notable Performances
The first public performance of Rudolf Tobias's entire First String Quartet took place as recently as June 5, 1992, by the Tallinn String Quartet.
Composition History
Rudolf Tobias's oratorio 'Jonah's Mission' was the first oratorio in Estonian music.
