Rubinstein, Anton Grigoryevich [key], 1829–94, Russian pianist, composer, and educator. As a piano virtuoso he was celebrated for his perfect technique and emotional power, and was rivaled only by Liszt. He made his debut in Moscow at nine and later performed in Europe, where he won the admiration of Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Liszt. In 1872, Rubinstein founded the St. Petersburg Conservatory and was its director (1862–67, 1887–91). During 1872–73 he made a triumphant tour of the United States. He was once highly esteemed as a composer, but little of his music is performed today. His brother, Nicholas Grigoryevich Rubinstein, 1835–81, also a brilliant pianist and teacher, founded (1864) the Moscow Conservatory, which he headed for the rest of his life.
See C. D. Bowen, “Free Artist”: The Story of Anton and Nicholas Rubinstein (1939); H. Sachs, Rubinstein: A Life (1995).
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