November 28, 1829:
Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein is born in an inn in Vikhvatinets, Russia (Ribnita, Moldova), the third of five children born to Grigory Romanovich Rubinstein, a farmer, and Kaleriya Khristoforovna Levenstein.
March 23, 1841:
Anton Rubinstein (11) gives his first major performance in Paris, at the Salle Pleyel.
March 27, 1841:
In his first concert back from the British Isles, Franz Liszt (29) appears in the Salle Erard, Paris. One Russian audience member, Anton Rubinstein (11), is overwhelmed.
April 25, 1841:
Hector Berlioz (37) and Franz Liszt (29) produce an all-Beethoven (†14) concert at the Salle du Conservatoire to benefit the Beethoven monument in Bonn. Liszt plays various piano sonatas and the “Emperor” Concerto, conducted by Berlioz, along with the Sixth Symphony. Unfortunately, the receipts are barely enough to pay the musicians. The audience requires Liszt to play his own Reminiscences on Meyerbeer’s Robert le Diable, while Berlioz and the orchestra wait. Richard Wagner (27), reviewing the concert for the Dresden Abendzeitung, is offended. “Some day, Liszt in heaven will be summoned to play his Fantasy on The Devil before the assembled company of angels.” An aspiring cellist named Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (21) joins forces with a visiting prodigy from Russia, Anton Rubinstein (11), to perform the second and third movements of Beethoven’s Cello Sonata in A.
June 19, 1841:
Anton Rubinstein (11) performs before King Willem II and the Dutch court in the Palace of Paauw in Wassenaar.
June 24, 1841:
Anton Rubinstein (11) performs before King Willem II and the Dutch court in the Palace of Soesdyk in Baarn.
July 19, 1841:
Anton Rubinstein (11) gives his first performance in Germany, in Cologne.
January 9, 1842:
Anton Rubinstein (12) gives his first performance in Vienna, playing music of Thalberg (30), JS Bach (†91), Liszt (30), and his own song Zuruf aus der Ferne, to words of Weiden, which he accompanies.
May 20, 1842:
Anton Rubinstein (12) gives his first important performance in London, at the Hanover Rooms.
March 12, 1843:
After three years in western Europe, primarily Paris where he met Chopin (33), Kalkbrenner (57), and Liszt (31), Anton Rubinstein (13) arrives in St. Petersburg.
December 3, 1848:
A Grand Duo for violin and piano on themes from Meyerbeer’s (57) Le Prophète, jointly composed by Henri Vieuxtemps and Anton Rubinstein (19), is performed for the first time, by the composers, in St. Petersburg.
January 20, 1850:
Anton Rubinstein (20) conducts for the first time when he directs the premieres of his own Symphony no.1 and the overture to his unperformed opera Dmitry Donskoy, in St. Petersburg.
April 21, 1850:
The Piano Concerto no.1 in e minor by Anton Rubinstein (20) is performed completely for the first time, in the Hall of the Nobility, Moscow, the composer at the keyboard.
March 24, 1851:
A Piano Trio op.15/1 by Anton Rubinstein (21) is performed for the first time, in Bernadaki Hall, St. Petersburg, the composer at the keyboard.
April 30, 1852:
The Battle of Kulikovo, an opera by Anton Rubinstein (22) to words of Sollogub and Zotov after Ozerov, is performed for the first time, in the Bolshoy Theatre, St. Petersburg.
October 27, 1852:
Anton Rubinstein (22) suggests a reorganization of the Imperial Academy of Arts to include a music section, as has been done in Berlin. It would allow musicians to attain respectability in Russian society, as has been afforded painters and sculptors.
May 12, 1853:
Tom the Fool, a comic opera by Anton Rubinstein (23) to words of Mikhailov, is performed for the first time, in the Alyeksandrinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg.
March 14, 1854:
Anton Rubinstein (24) conducts the premiere of his Symphony in B flat in Lichtenthal Hall, St. Petersburg. The first movement of this will become his Concert Overture op.60 while the second and third will be appended to the Symphony no.2.
May 12, 1854:
Anton Rubinstein (24) departs St. Petersburg on a long concert tour of Europe.
June 24, 1854:
Alfonso und Estrella D.732, an opera by Franz Schubert (†25) to words of Schober, is performed for the first time, in Weimar conducted by Franz Liszt (42) on the birthday of Grand Duke Carl Alexander. Also premiered by Liszt is the Solemn Overture for chorus, organ, and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (24). The composer received the commission six days ago.
November 11, 1854:
The Siberian Hunters, a romantic opera by Anton Rubinstein (24) to words of Zherebtsov, is performed for the first time, in the Weimar Hoftheater, directed by Franz Liszt (43).
December 14, 1854:
Anton Rubinstein (25) gives a solo concert at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. The press is largely positive.
March 1, 1858:
Das verlorene Paradies, a sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein (28) to words of Schlönbach after Milton, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in the Weimar Hoftheater.
December 5, 1859:
In spite of the ban of 19 March 1854, the Russian Musical Society gives its first concert, in St. Petersburg. They avoid the ban largely through friends in high places. Most of the music is conducted by Anton Rubinstein (30), who plays the solo part in his own Piano Concerto no.3.
January 23, 1860:
Modest Musorgsky’s (20) Scherzo in B flat for orchestra is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg conducted by Anton Rubinstein (30). It is the first performance of a Musorgsky orchestral work.
February 23, 1861:
Die Kinder der Heide by Anton Rubinstein (31) to words of Mosenthal after Beck, is performed for the first time in the Vienna Kärntnertortheater.
March 17, 1862:
Anton Rubinstein (32) is named director of the new St. Petersburg Conservatory.
September 20, 1862:
The doors of St. Petersburg Conservatory open for business. The director is Anton Rubinstein (32). One of the new part-time students is a civil servant named Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (22).
February 24, 1863:
Feramors, a lyric opera by Anton Rubinstein (33) to words of Rodenberg after Moore, is performed for the first time, in the Dresden Hoftheater.
November 10, 1864:
Piano Concerto no.4 by Anton Rubinstein (34) is performed for the first time, in the Hall of the Nobility, St. Petersburg, the composer at the keyboard.
July 12, 1865:
Anton Rubinstein (35) marries Vera Chekuanova, daughter of a retired army officer of the minor nobility, in Baden-Baden. The only member of his family present is his brother Nikolay.
January 10, 1866:
Ode to Joy, a cantata by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (25) to words of Schiller (tr. Axakov, et. al.), is performed for the first time, conducted by Anton Rubinstein (36), as part of the graduation exercise from St. Petersburg Conservatory. Unable to face public scrutiny, the composer is absent.
May 13, 1866:
Morning op.74, a cantata for male chorus and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (36) to words of Polonsky, is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg.
July 28, 1867:
Anton Rubinstein (37), in Baden-Baden, sends the Vice-President of the Russian Musical Society the news that he will not return as director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory.
May 13, 1868:
Concerto for piano and orchestra no.2 op.22 by Camille Saint-Saëns (32) is performed for the first time, at the Salle Pleyel, Paris, the composer at the keyboard, conducted by Anton Rubinstein (38). It is not well received, but will become one of his most popular works.
January 2, 1869:
Ivan IV the Terrible op.79 for orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (39) is performed for the first time, in the Hall of the Nobility, St. Petersburg, conducted by the composer’s brother Nikolay.
April 3, 1869:
Concerto for piano and orchestra in a minor by Edvard Grieg (25) is performed for the first time, in the Casino, Copenhagen, in the presence of Queen Louise and Anton Rubinstein (39). A wildly appreciative audience interrupts the performance with applause between movements and after the first movement cadenza. The composer is in Christiania (Oslo).
February 9, 1870:
Der Thurm zu Babel, a sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein (40) to words of Rodenberg, is performed for the first time, in Königsberg.
May 9, 1870:
Anton Rubinstein (40) plays at the Paris home of Camille Saint-Saëns (34). An enthusiastic Gabriel Fauré (24) is there too.
November 6, 1870:
Piano Trio no.4 op.85 by Anton Rubinstein (40) is performed for the first time, in Moscow, the composer at the keyboard.
January 20, 1871:
Don Quixote op.87 for orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (41) is performed for the first time, in Moscow.
December 31, 1871:
Anton Rubinstein (42) conducts a concert in Vienna which includes the first part of Christus, in the presence of the composer, Franz Liszt (60) and with Anton Bruckner (47) playing the organ part.
June 8, 1872:
Anton Rubinstein (42) signs a contract in Vienna for an American tour with Jacob Grau, tour manager, and CF Theodor Steinway of Steinway&Sons.
September 1, 1872:
Anton Rubinstein (42) departs Liverpool aboard the Cuba making for New York.
September 11, 1872:
Anton Rubinstein (42) disembarks in New York having crossed from Liverpool on the Cuba. There is excitement and anticipation on his arrival.
September 12, 1872:
Over 2,000 people gather outside Anton Rubinstein’s (42) hotel in New York where the Philharmonic Society serenades him. In between numbers, the pianist says a few words of thanks to the cheering crowd.
September 23, 1872:
Anton Rubinstein (42) makes his American debut in Steinway Hall, New York. It is a triumph before a standing room only crowd. He will perform 15 times in greater New York between now and 12 October.
October 14, 1872:
Anton Rubinstein (42) gives the first of nine concerts in New England, in Boston. The audience is smaller here than New York, but no less enthusiastic.
October 28, 1872:
Anton Rubinstein (42) gives a concert in Philadelphia, the first of nine in that city, Washington, and Baltimore over the next two weeks to tumultuous acclaim.
May 22, 1873:
Anton Rubinstein (43) gives his last concert in North America, in New York. In the last twelve days alone he gave 14 concerts in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, ten of which were solo recitals. Since arriving last September he has given 203 performances in 58 cities as far north as Montreal, west as Burlington, Iowa and south as New Orleans. It has been perhaps the most successful and tumultuous such tour of the nineteenth century.
January 23, 1875:
Symphony no.4 “Dramatic” by Anton Rubinstein (45) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg, conducted by the composer.
January 25, 1875:
Demon, a fantastic opera by Anton Rubinstein (45) to words of Viskovatov and Maykov after Lermontov, is performed for the first time, in the Mariinskiy Theatre, St. Petersburg.
February 12, 1875:
Piano Concerto no.5 by Anton Rubinstein (45) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 17, 1875:
Die Maccabäer, an opera by Anton Rubinstein (45) to words of Mosenthal after Ludwig, is performed for the first time, in the Berlin Königlichetheater, the composer conducting.
August 7, 1878:
The Regional School Board of Brünn (Brno) refuses a request by one of its teachers, Leos Janácek (24), to fund a trip to St. Petersburg to study with Anton Rubinstein (48).
February 26, 1879:
Caprice Russe op.120 for piano and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (49) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 1, 1879:
Néron by Anton Rubinstein (49) to words of Barbier and the composer, is performed for the first time, in the Hamburg Dammtortheater.
November 19, 1879:
Leos Janácek (25) hears Anton Rubinstein (49) play for the first time, at Leipzig Conservatory. “I’ve not heard a greater artist! Not enormous technique, anyone can learn that, but his conception and rendition of compositions—that’s the real artist in him.” (Tyrrell I, 150)
November 22, 1879:
Leos Janácek (25) attends a concert devoted entirely to the chamber music of Anton Rubinstein (49) at Leipzig Conservatory, Rubinstein at the keyboard. “When I feel Rubinstein’s compositions I fell extraordinary: my spirit truly melts, it takes wing, becomes free and, at the moment when I listen to it, paints free pictures for itself…This verve, this speaking ‘to the soul’ I find nowhere else but in his compositions.” (Tyrrell I, 151).
March 5, 1880:
The Merchant Kalashnikov by Anton Rubinstein (50) to words of Kulikov after Lermontov, is performed for the first time, in the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg.
October 2, 1880:
String Quartet op.106/2 by Anton Rubinstein (50) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg.
October 14, 1880:
Symphony no.5 by Anton Rubinstein (50) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg.
January 22, 1883:
Overture on Greek Themes op.3 for orchestra by Alyeksandr Glazunov (17) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg, conducted by Anton Rubinstein (53).
November 8, 1883:
Sulamith, a biblical representation by Anton Rubinstein (53) to words of Rodenberg after the Bible, is performed for the first time, in the Hamburg Dammtortheater. Performed the same evening is Rubinstein’s comic opera Unter Räubern to words of Wichert after Gautier. The composer directs both.
February 15, 1884:
Ferruccio Busoni (17) visits Anton Rubinstein (54) in Vienna. Rubinstein accepts the dedication of Busoni’s Piano Sonata in f minor, although he has no time to actually hear it.
October 18, 1884:
Fantasia eroica op.110 for orchestra by Anton Rubinstein (54) is performed for the first time, in St. Petersburg, conducted by the composer.
November 11, 1884:
Der Papagei, a comic opera by Anton Rubinstein (54) to words of Wittmann after the Persian, is performed for the first time, in the Hamburg Dammtortheater, conducted by the composer.
October 28, 1886:
Symphony no.6 by Anton Rubinstein (56) is performed for the first time, in the Leipzig Gewandhaus, conducted by the composer.
January 24, 1887:
Anton Rubinstein (57) enters upon duties as Director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, for the second time.
November 29, 1889:
A week of concerts and celebrations begin in St. Petersburg to mark the 60th birthday of Anton Rubinstein (59) and the 50th anniversary of his Moscow debut.
November 30, 1889:
A Greeting to Anton Rubinstein for his Golden Jubilee as an Artist for unaccompanied chorus by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (49) to words of Polonsky is performed for the first time, in the Hall of the Court Assembly, St. Petersburg. Also premiered is Tchaikovsky’s Impromptu in A flat for solo piano, performed by the composer.
December 3, 1889:
Goryusha by Anton Rubinstein (60) to words of Averkiyev, is performed for the first time, in the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg.
April 24, 1893:
Die Rebe, a ballet by Anton Rubinstein (63), is performed for the first time, in the Königliches Theater, Berlin.
February 20, 1894:
Moses, a sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein (64) to words of Mosenthal, is performed for the first time, in a concert setting in the Neues Deutschestheater, Prague. The work did receive a public dress rehearsal in Riga in June 1892 but the performance was cancelled due to bankruptcy.
June 2, 1894:
Selections from Christus, a sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein (64) to words of Bulthaupt, are performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Stuttgart, the composer directing. This turns out to be his last conducting performance. See 25 May 1895.
June 4, 1894:
Anton Rubinstein (64) gives a concert of his piano music for the students of Stuttgart Conservatory. It is his last performance.
November 20, 1894:
Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein dies of heart disease in his villa on Zamenskaya Street, Peterhof (Petrovonets), aged 64 years, eleven months, and 23 days.
November 28, 1894:
The earthly remains of Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein are laid to rest in Tikhvin Cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky monastery, St. Petersburg, on the 65th anniversary of his birth.
May 25, 1895:
Christus, a sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein (†0) to words of Bulthaupt, is staged for the first time, in Bremen. See 2 June 1894.
December 4, 1896:
Ferruccio Busoni (30) performs the Piano Concerto of Edvard Grieg (53) in Christiania (Oslo) in the presence of the composer. He is compared to Anton Rubinstein(†1).
December 24, 1896:
Triumphal Overture by Anton Rubinstein (†2) is performed for the first time, for the opening of a new building for St. Petersburg Conservatory. Tsar Nikolay II is supposed to be in attendance but he leaves before the music, being bored by an address by Cesar Cui (61).
September 25, 1929:
A Theremin is heard on the radio for the first time when the inventor, Lev Sergeyevich Termen (Leon Theremin) (33) plays music of Chopin (†80) and Rubinstein (†34) from the Radio World’s Fair in Madison Square Garden, New York over the WJZ network.