, 1872-12-04
ANTON RUBINBTEN,

ANIOh RUBlNBTElN.
The advent Of Anton Rubinstein, the grea
sclaVonian pianist and composer, in this coun
try, marks the commencement Of q distinct mu
sical era. There have beon two such eras be-
fore. Twenty years ago, Jenny Lind 1evolu
tionized vocal music, paved the way for scoret
Of great singers who were to succeed her
changed the system Of instruction, and pre-
pared solid basis upon which opera might rest
When Theodore Thomas organized his orches
tra, another era commenced. That admirable
organization has accomplished two importan.
results: It he's educated the people to an ap.
probation Of classical music, andit is now do.
ing the Same work for the new school Of music
OF which Wagner, Rubinstein, Iszt, and Von
Bulow are representatives, which had its foun.
tain head in Beethoven, and which Was brought
to such beautiful perfection in song by
Robert Schumann. The thim era now
commences. and Anton Rubinstein is the leader
Of new movement, which is destined to revo-
lutionize piano music, and elevate that instru-
ment to higher plane than it has ever occupied
before. It is no secret that the piano has al
ways stood very low in the scale Of musical
Instruments. For solo performances, it has
scarcely been tolerated,-a fact which is due
perhaps more to the everlasting drumming OF
thousands OF neophites, turned out as artista
by boarding-schools and seminaries, than to
any other reason. The best artists Who have
been hare have never been able to master the
entire resources Of the piano. They have dis
played perfection in 8 single detail, and
have made their reputation upon that
detail. For instance, Gottschalk excelled
IN cantable playing, Sanders3n in oc-
taVes, Thalberg in melody and accompaniment,
as developed in his wonderful operitic fantasies,
and so On. The most that can be- said for the
piano is, that it has been exceedingly useful for
accompaniment. RubinBtein, hot7ever, unites
the qualities Of all other players, AID Eliminates
them with his brilliant genius. He makes it
interpret not alone the mere scor, Of the COM
poser, but the sentiment also. Irother words,
be makes the piano orchestral, aud gives the
idea Of the music in such 8 manner as to call the
attention of the listener to the muio rather than
to the musician. The compose: is speaking
through the executant, and this ts one Of the
highest provinces of art.
Anton Rubinstein was born Nov 80, 1880.
at Vechwotynetz, d village in Russian Bes-
sarabia. His parents owned lsrge estates
in Wallachia, but lost them IN lawsuits
with the Government, to which fa;t ne are in
debted for this great representative Of music.
him lessons On the piano. in which sho Was 80
successful that she removed to Moscow and
adopted music as profession. It the end Of
two years study with the great MAESTRO, Willo-
ing, Rubinstein was so far advanced that he per-
formed solos in concert at Moscow which gave
him a reputation all over Europe. In 1889, then
9 years Of age, he went with hit teacher to
Paris, and gave two concerts. At the second,
1iazt WAS present, and, after listening with rapt
attention, rushed up to the young tirtuoso, and
kissing him, exclaimed, "Here is my heir" It
is pleasant to remember that Liszt has lived to
sea his statement corroborated, for to-day
Rubinstein is the foremost pianist in al the
world, and one Of the greatest Of living COM
posers. Liszt at once took such an interest in
him that he assisted him in his studies, and he
remained in Paris year and half. He then
started on three years. tour through
England, Holland, Sweden, and Ger
which was marked by a con-
slant succession Of triumphs. In 1914,
he vent to Berlin, and studied composition with
Dehn, where he also made the acquaintance Of
Mende1asohn, whose teaching had the happiest
Of influences in maturing his art, and perfecting
him for the important mission upon which he
had entered. About this time his father died,
and the family was deprivedof the means of SUBJ
sstence. Young Rubinstein went to Vienna,
where he earned his living by teaching. The
political events Of 1848 drove him to st. Peters,
burg. On the way he lost his passport and his
musical manuscripts. The latter, which were
found, we're believed to be reasonable papers in
cipher, and he was arrested, aud would
have been sent to Siberia but
Tor the interference Of the Grand
Duchess Helena, who had heard him play in
Moscow, and who secured his liberty. Better
than this, she appointed him her special pianist,
and, shortly after, be was made Chapel Master
TO the Empress. His good fortune now COM
menced. He was furnished with ample funds,
30 that be Was enabled to visit England, Ger
many, and France repeatedly, and also to pub
[ish his competitions, which by this time in
Guided oratorios, operas symphonies, sonatas,
Ind concertos. In 1854, he made one Of the
most brilliant tours Of Europe ever made by
musician, both as pianist and orchestral leader.
ae returned to Russia in 1858. and founded. at