Arensky, Anton Stepanovich 1861 - 1906
Author: Nohara, Yasuko
Last updated：August 1, 2007
Author: Nohara, Yasuko
Russian composer and pianist. Born in Novgorod, he received his initial musical training from his mother, a pianist. In 1879, his family moved to Saint Petersburg, where he studied composition with Rimsky-Korsakov and counterpoint and fugue with Johansen at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. After graduating with a gold medal in 1882, he took charge of harmony and counterpoint classes at the Moscow Conservatory. His students included Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, and Glière.
He resigned from the Conservatory in 1894 and succeeded Balakirev as director of the Imperial Chapel Choir in Saint Petersburg until 1901. Thereafter, he remained active as a pianist and conductor both within and outside Russia, but his life, marked by indulgence in alcohol and gambling, became increasingly disordered in his later years, and he died of tuberculosis at the age of 44.
As a composer, his style was eclectic, characteristic of Russia at the time. His lyrical melodies, particularly in his representative work, Piano Trio No. 1, are noted to show the influence of Tchaikovsky, with whom he had a close relationship.
Works(32)
Concerto (2)
Works with orchestral accompaniment (1)
Piano Solo (6)
pieces (14)
etude (2)
Piano Ensemble (3)
suite (4)
Chamber Music (1)