The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-09-18
Something About Rubinstein.

Anton Gregor Rubinstein, an emf
nent composer and one of the greatest
pianists the world has ever seen, was
born November 30, 1929, of Jewish
parents, at Wechwotynetz, near Jassy.
He received his first musical instruc-
ton from his mother and afterwards
from a pianoforte teacher in Moscow
named Villoing. So early as 1919 he
made his first concert-tour with his
teacher, journeying to Paris, where he
made the acquaintance of List, who
was then teaching in that city, and
under whose advice he there pur-
sued his studies. A year later he made
more extended tour, going to England
QS42) and thence to Holland, Germany
and Sweden. In 1916 he went to study
composition with Professor Dehn in
Berlin. From 1S46-S he passed in
Vienna and Pressburg, teaching on his
own account. In 1S4S he returned to
Russia, where the Grand Duchess
Helen nominated him Kammer-virtuos.
After studying diligently in st. Peters
burg for eight years he appeared as a
full-fedged artist with piles of original
compositions, first in Hamburg and
then all over Germany, where he found
enthusiastic audiences and willing pub
fishers. From this time his fame as a
pianist and composer spread rapidly
over Europe and America. He again
visited England in 1857, and made his
first appearance at the Philharmonic on
May IS. In 1858 he returned home
again, gave brilliant concerts in st.
Petersburg, Moscow, etc., and settled
in the former city. AT this period he
was appointed imperial court director,
with life pension. Thenceforward
he worked in conjunction with his late
friend, Carl Schuberth, for the advance
ment of music in Russia, and had the
merit of being the founder of the st.
Petersburg Conservatoire in 1862, re-
naming its principal until 1857. The
Russian Musical Society, founded in
1861, was also his. On leaving Russia
he made another triumphant tour
through the greater part of Europe,
which lasted till the spring of 1870.
When in his native country, in 1869,
the emperor decorated him with the
Vladimir order, which raised him to
noble rank. In 1870 he rested awhile
and expressed the intention of retiring
from public life, but it was not likely
that this desire could be fulfilled.
He held the dictatorship of the Phil
harmonic concerts and Choral Society
in Vienna for the next year of two, and
this was followed by fresh concert
tours. Every year the same threat of
retirement is made, but the entreaties
of the public and, probably, the desire
of providing for his wife and family,
bring the gifted genius before us again
and again. He has recently extended
his tours as far as the south of Spain,
from whence he fastened back for the
funeral of his brother Nicolas. Of late
wears he has been threatened with the
loss of his eyesight, misfortune caused
in some measure by his excessive appli-
cation to composition; such a depriva-
ton, however, would not prove an over
whelming catastrophe, as his memory
is phenomenal. Rubinstein's playing
is not only remarkable for the absolute
perfection of technique, in which he is
the only rival List ever had, but there
is the fire and soul which only true
and genial composer can possess. He
can play simple piece of Haydn or
Mozart so as to positively bring tears
into the eyes of his hearers, but on the
other hand, he will sometimes fall a
prey to strange excitement which causes
him to play in the widest fashion. The
compositions of Rubinstein are not yet
sufficiently mellowed by time for us to
Judge them fairly. Their style may be
considered as the legitimate outcome of
Mendelssohn; there is fine broad vein
of melody which is supported by true
and natural harmony and thorough
technical skill. But there is also the
fatal gift of fuency, and the conse-
quent lack of that self-criticism and
self-restraint which alone make a COM
poser great. Rubinstein has written in
every department of music, but as yet
his songs and chamber music are all
that can be called really popular, ex-
cepting always his " Ocean Symphony"
which is known all over the world.
Rubinstein's appearance is remarkable.
His head is of very Russian type,
massive and noble, without beard or
moustache, but with thick shock of