R ubinstein (Rubinshteyn), Anton Grigorýevich was born in Vikhvatinï, Ukraine [Podoliya] on 16 or 28 November1829 and he died in Peterhof [now Petrodvorets) on 8 or 20 November 1894). He was a Russian pianist, composer, conductor and teacher. He was the brother of Nikolay Rubinstein. He was one of the greatest pianists of the 19th century, his playing was compared with Liszt s. He was also an influential, if controversial figure。
R ubinstein composed assiduously during all periods of his life. He was able, and willing, to dash off for publication half a dozen songs or an album of piano pieces with all too fluent ease in the knowledge that his reputation would ensure a gratifying financial reward for the effort involved. But only the Melody in F op.3 no.1 for solo piano achieved lasting popularity (testified to by the 12 pages of arrangements of this piece, for various instrumental and vocal combinations, in the catalogue of the British Library).