Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894) was one of the movers and shakers of Russian music in the nineteenth century. He was an outstanding concert pianist and influential teacher; he founded the Saint Petersburg Conservatory and taught Tchaikovsky. He was also well-known in his time as a conductor and a prolific composer numerous piano works, symphonies, operas, and piano concerto--the latter being the first of their kind in Russia. Much of his work is little-known today.
Much of his music is smooth and expansive rather than deeply expressive and personal. His chamber music, however, is more substantial and richly romantic. Rubinstein's Viola Sonata in F minor, Op.49 (1855) is no exception. It is a worthwhile addition to the sparse original Romantic literature. It harmoniously combines lyric elements with passionate splendour and is well-suited to both viola and piano. Judging from the writing, Rubinstein evidently enjoyed the lowest timbre of the viola. The first movement, in sonata form, is chamingly melodic, while the Mendelssohnian Scherzo, in 9/8 time, is remarkably inventive and transparent.
MOVEMENTS:
I. Moderato
- II. Andante
- III. Moderato con moto (Scherzo)
- IV. Allegro assai
