Born Nikolai Grigoryevich Rubinstein (2 June 1835–23 March 1881) was a Russian pianist and composer. He was the younger brother of Anton Rubinstein and a close friend of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Born in Moscow, where his father had just opened a small factory, he studied piano first with his mother, and later with Alexander Villoing, like his brother. In the 1840s he and Anton were brought to Berlin by their mother, where they studied under Siegfried Dehn and attracted the interest and support of Mendelssohn and Meyerbeer. He was responsible for founding the Moscow Conservatory on September 1, 1866 - he was also its director. During his lifetime he was generally regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his time, although now his reputation is overshadowed by his brother's. Nevertheless, his pianistic style was quite at odds with that of his fiery brother. Nikolai instead opted for a restrained classicism more in line with the musical values of Clara Schumann than Franz Liszt.
While holding his Moscow post, Nikolai persuaded Tchaikovsky to write for him the celebrated Piano Concerto No. 1. According to Tchaikovsky's letters, Rubinstein was unimpressed with the work, and would only premier it if rewritten. Tchaikovsky refused, and the work was premierd by the pianist Hans von Bülow instead. Nevertheless, Tchaikovsky wrote his Piano Trio in A minor in Rubinstein's memory after he died in Paris.
Nikolai Rubinstein was also a composer of some note. Among his most popular works is his Tarantella in G minor and his Fantasia on a Theme by Schumann, both for piano solo.
References
- Note regarding dedication of Tchaikovsky's 1st Symphony to Rubinstein
- L.A Philharmonic reference to Rubinstein and Tchaikovsky's String quartet No. 1
- Article about Rubinstein's role in founding The Moscow State Conservatory