Nikolai Rubinstein

Full biography Nikolai Rubinstein

Nikolai Rubinstein was a Russian pianist, composer, and conductor who played a significant role in the development of classical music during the 19th century. He was born in Moscow on June 14, 1835, into a family of musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother, a pianist.

Rubinstein began his piano studies at an early age with his mother, and by age nine, he had already made his first public appearance as a pianist. In 1849, he was admitted to the Moscow Conservatory, where he was a pupil of Alexander Dreyschock and Anton Rubinstein, his older brother.

After completing his studies, Nikolai Rubinstein started a successful concert career as a pianist, performing in Russia and abroad. In 1862, he founded the Russian Music Society, which aimed to promote Russian music and support young composers.

Rubinstein was also a prolific composer, although his works are often overshadowed by those of his brother and other composers of the era. He wrote piano music, chamber music, and orchestral works, such as his Symphony No. 2 in C major and his Overture to Dmitry Donskoy.

Rubinstein was an influential figure in the Russian music scene, serving as the conductor of the Moscow Philharmonic Society and the director of the Moscow Conservatory. He was also a mentor to many Russian composers, including Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Sadly, Nikolai Rubinstein passed away from a heart attack in 1881, at the age of 46. However, he left behind an enduring legacy as a performer, composer, and educator, and his contributions to the development of classical music in Russia cannot be underestimated.