Nikolai Rubinstein

Nikolai Rubinstein

Nikolai Grigoryevich Rubinstein (14 June [O.S. 2 June] 1835 – 23 March [O.S. 11 March] 1881) was a Russian pianist and composer. He was the younger brother of Anton Rubinstein and a close friend of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Grave of Nikolai Rubinstein in Novodevichy Cemetery, Moscow

Born to Jewish parents in Moscow, where his father had just opened a small factory, he studied piano first with his mother, and later with Alexander Villoing. In the 1840s he and Anton were brought to Berlin by their mother, where they studied under Siegfried Dehn and attracted the interest and support of Mendelssohn and Meyerbeer. He founded the Moscow Conservatory on 1 September 1866, and he was also its director. He was generally regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his time, although now his reputation is overshadowed by his brother's. His pianistic style was quite at odds with that of his fiery brother. Nikolai instead opted for a restrained classicism more in line with the musical values of Clara Schumann than Franz Liszt.

While holding his Moscow post, Nikolai persuaded Tchaikovsky to write for him the celebrated Piano Concerto No. 1. According to Tchaikovsky's letters, Rubinstein was unimpressed with the work, and would only perform it if rewritten. Tchaikovsky refused, and the work was premiered instead by Hans von Bülow. Nevertheless, Tchaikovsky wrote his Piano Trio in A minor in Rubinstein's memory after he died in Paris.

Nikolai Rubinstein was also a composer of some note. Among his most popular works is his Tarantella in G minor and his Fantasia on a Theme by Schumann, both for piano solo.

He was portrayed by Max Adrian in Ken Russell's 1970 film The Music Lovers.

References

• Note regarding dedication of Tchaikovsky's 1st Symphony to Rubinstein
• L.A Philharmonic reference to Rubinstein and Tchaikovsky's String quartet No. 1
• Article about Rubinstein's role in founding The Moscow State Conservatory