Rubinstein, Anton Gregor << ROO bihn styn, ahn TAWN gray GAWR >> (1829-1894), was a Russian pianist and composer. He was one of the greatest pianists of the 1800’s, and his tours through Europe and America also made him the most famous pianist of his time. Rubinstein composed many works, but few of them are performed today. Rubinstein was born near Balta, Ukraine, on Nov. 28, 1829. At 10, he made his first public appearance in Moscow.
When Rubinstein was 16, he began to teach in Vienna, Austria. Two years later, he went to St. Petersburg, Russia. There, the Grand Duchess Helen became his patroness and gave him many opportunities to be heard in public. In 1858, he became court pianist and concert conductor. The following year, he became director of the Royal Russian Musical Society, and four years later he founded the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He served as its director until 1867, and again from 1887 to 1890. Rubinstein came to the United States in 1872 and toured the country. He died on Nov. 20, 1894.
