Nikolai Rubinstein

About

Anton Rubinstein's mellower younger brother. He was considered to be one of his generation's greatest pianists.

Before Fame

He and his brother were supported by Felix Mendelssohn and Giacomo Meyerbeer in their earliest musical endeavors.

Trivia

He was once asked why he did not compose more music. His brother "composed enough for three," he said.

Family Life

His family was Jewish, and his mother was the first to teach him piano.

Associated With

He advocated Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's work and hired him to teach harmony at the Moscow Conservatory.