ANTON ARENSKY (1861-1906) Russian Pianist and Composer
Anton Arensky is very important in the historical context of Russian romantic music. He was taught composition by Rimsky-Korsakov, and in turn taught composition to Scriabin, Rachmaninov and Gretchaninov. Rimsky-Korsakov had this to say to say about him: "In his youth Arensky did not escape some influence from me; later the influence came from Tchaikovsky. He will quickly be forgotten."
Fortunately Arensky's illustrious teacher was only half right. While most of his music is indeed all but forgotten, another victim of rapidly changing times, his much admired music for two pianos continues to enjoy the success it deserves. He wrote four wonderful
Suites for Two Pianos
, as well as other pieces for two pianos, in which one can imagine quite vividly the brilliant chandeliers of the Czarist palaces of Russia.
His
Piano Concerto Opus 2
is also very occasionally performed and deserves much better
Below is a handful of solo performances by Anton Arensky who was also a very fine pianist. These recordings were all made in 1894 onto an Edison phonograph cylinder. The sound is most inadequate and the recordings are very noisy. But they do give an idea of Arensky's playing and are of historical significance. Also, it is interesting to hear his voice.
More musically satisfying, perhaps, is the recording, made shortly after the work's composition, of fragments of Arensky's Piano Trio in D minor Op 32. It is performed by the composer, violinist Jan Hřímalý (1844-1915) and cellist Anatoly Brandukov (1856-1930).
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