Anton Arensky

Biography

Born: July 12, 1861; Novgorod, Russia   Died: February 25, 1906; Terioki, Russia  
Little known today, Anton Arensky was one of the brightest stars of the late nineteenth century Russian music scene. Arensky was born in 1861 to a pair of devoted amateur musicians under whose guidance he began his training. After private studies (piano and composition) with Zikke in St. Petersburg, Arensky entered that city's conservatory in 1879, taking lessons from Rimsky-Korsakov. He scored consistently high marks with conservatory faculty Read more during his three years as a student, eventually graduating with a gold medal; upon the completion of his studies in 1882 Arensky became one of the youngest professors ever hired by the Moscow Conservatory.

Arensky's years at Moscow were fruitful; between 1882 and his resignation from the Conservatory's faculty in 1895 he completed most of his larger works (including the early Piano Concerto of 1882 and both Symphonies: B minor 1883; A major 1889). In 1891 his first opera, Son na Volge (A Dream on the Volga) -- which he had worked on intermittently since his student days -- was successfully premiered in Moscow. His next operatic endeavor, however, fared rather worse than the first; Rafael was an immediate failure at its 1894 premiere.

Asked to replace Balakirev as director of the imperial chapel in St. Petersburg, Arensky returned to his home city in 1895; save for occasional national and international tours, he remained there for the rest of his life. By the mid-1890s Arensky's somewhat diminished stature as a composer was replaced by an increased public awareness of his gifts at the keyboard and on the podium. Having served as director of the Russian Choral Society (1888 to 1895) during his Moscow days, Arensky was no stranger to the baton, and in 1901 he resigned his position at the imperial chapel to pursue a fuller schedule of conducting and performing appearances. Death came prematurely in 1905 when Arensky, after decades of hard living and overindulgence, succumbed to tuberculosis.

Save for the well-known Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky for string orchestra, little of Arensky's substantial output has maintained a place on contemporary concert programs. He was essentially a miniaturist, and his finest music is to be found in the shorter works for solo piano and his melodious songs (which seem to have influenced Rachmaninov's conception of Russian song). Arensky's style, especially in such early works as the Piano Concerto and First Symphony, is too inconsistent to bear witness to a strong musical personality, and instead presents as a pastiche of stylistic traits borrowed from a variety of influences, such as Chopin and Tchaikovsky (though rarely Arensky's own teacher Rimsky-Korsakov). However, his influence as a teacher -- to such future luminaries as Rachmaninov and Scriabin -- has earned him a place of distinction in the history of Russian music. Read less

Featured Anton Arensky CDs & DVDs:

Tchaikovsky, Arensky: Piano Trios / Ashkenazy, Stamper, Etc.
Tchaikovsky, Arensky: Piano Trios / Ashkenazy, Stamper, Etc.
Release Date: 02/15/1994   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8550467   Number of Discs: 1
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Arensky: Piano Concerto, Fantasia / Yablonsky, Scherbakov, Russian PO
Arensky: Piano Concerto, Fantasia / Yablonsky, Scherbakov, Russian PO
Release Date: 04/28/2009   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8570526   Number of Discs: 1
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Russian Violin Concertos - Conus, Arensky, Weinberg / Ostrovsky
Russian Violin Concertos - Conus, Arensky, Weinberg / Ostrovsky
Release Date: 10/25/2011   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8572631   Number of Discs: 1
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Browse 51-75 of 115 Available Recordings
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  • 51.
    Ravishingly Russian / Simpson, Houston Chamber Choir
    Ravishingly Russian / Simpson, Houston Chamber Choir
    Label: Msr   Catalog: 1311 Release Date: 08/11/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Alexander Dargomizhsky,  Sergei Taneyev,  Sergei Rachmaninov,  César Cui  ... 
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  • 52.
    Legendary Russian Pianists
    Legendary Russian Pianists
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 9014 Release Date: 06/02/2009   Number of Discs: 25
    Composer:  Sergei Prokofiev,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Dmitri Kabalevsky,  Franz Liszt  ... 
    Performer:  Rudolf Kerer,  Konstantin Igumnov,  Yakov Flier,  Vladimir Horowitz  ... 
    Conductor:  Alexander Gauk,  Gennadi Rozhdestvensky,  David Oistrakh,  Gennadi Rozhdestvensky  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra,  USSR Radio/TV Symphony Orchestra,  Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $98.99
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  • 53.
    Arensky, Rimsky-korsakov / Nash Ensemble
    Arensky, Rimsky-korsakov / Nash Ensemble
    Label: Crd Records   Catalog: 3409 Release Date: 05/01/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov,  Anton Arensky
    Performer:  Antony Pay,  Judith Pearce,  John Pigneguy,  Brian Wightman  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Nash Ensemble
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  • 54.
    Arensky: Piano Concerto, Fantasia / Yablonsky, Scherbakov, Russian PO
    Arensky: Piano Concerto, Fantasia / Yablonsky, Scherbakov, Russian PO
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8570526 Release Date: 04/28/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky
    Performer:  Konstantin Scherbakov
    Conductor:  Dmitry Yablonsky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 55.
    Martha Argerich and Friends - Live from the Lugano Festival 2008
    Martha Argerich and Friends - Live from the Lugano Festival 2008
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 67051 Release Date: 04/07/2009   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Astor Piazzolla,  Antonín Dvorák,  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Robert Schumann  ... 
    Performer:  Martha Argerich,  Eduardo Hubert,  Karin Lechner,  Lily Maisky  ... 
    Conductor:  Mikhail Pletnev
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana
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  • 56.
    The Romantic Violin Concerto Vol 7 - Arensky, Taneyev / Gringolts, Volkov, Et Al
    The Romantic Violin Concerto Vol 7 - Arensky, Taneyev / Gringolts, Volkov, Et Al
    Label: Hyperion   Catalog: 67642 Release Date: 02/10/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Sergei Taneyev,  Anton Arensky
    Performer:  Ilya Gringolts
    Conductor:  Ilan Volkov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
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  • 57.
    Debut / Saint Michael Trio
    Debut / Saint Michael Trio
    Label: Cd Baby   Catalog: 5637459846 Release Date: 10/30/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky,  Felix Mendelssohn,  John Williams,  Astor Piazzolla  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Saint Michael Trio
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  • 58.
    Russian Songs - Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Glinka / Burchuladze, Ivanova
    Russian Songs - Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Glinka / Burchuladze, Ivanova
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 421417 Release Date: 10/02/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Mikhail Glinka,  Anton Arensky,  Anton Rubinstein,  Alexander Borodin  ... 
    Performer:  Ludmilla Ivanova,  Paata Burchuladze,  David Smith
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  • 59.
    35th Anniversary Opera Gala / Orbelian, Hvorostovsky, Bernadi, Grivnov, Et Al
    35th Anniversary Opera Gala / Orbelian, Hvorostovsky, Bernadi, Grivnov, Et Al
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 3395 Release Date: 09/30/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ruggero Leoncavallo,  Francesco Cilèa,  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky  ... 
    Performer:  Dmitri Hvorostovsky,  Marina Domashenko,  Olga Guryakova,  Ewa Podles  ... 
    Conductor:  Constantine Orbelian,  Alfred Heller,  Gerard Schwarz,  Mario Bernardi  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia of Russia,  Moscow Chamber Orchestra,  Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $17.99
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  • 60.
    Music Of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff / Eastman Trio
    Music Of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff / Eastman Trio
    Label: Vox Box   Catalog: 3021 Release Date: 07/01/2008   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Mikhail Glinka,  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Anton Arensky  ... 
    Performer:  Jürgen Meyer-Josten
    Conductor:  Jörg Faerber
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Eastman Piano Trio,  Nieuw Amsterdam Trio,  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra
    CD: $17.99
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  • 61.
    Svetlanov Conducts Arensky Vol 1 - Symphonies Nos 1 & 2, Variations On A Theme Of Tchaikovsky / Svetlanov, State Academic So
    Svetlanov Conducts Arensky Vol 1 - Symphonies Nos 1 & 2, Variations On A Theme Of Tchaikovsky / Svetlanov, State Academic So
    Label: Svetlanov Foundation   Catalog: 1 Release Date: 06/17/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky
    Conductor:  Yevgeny Svetlanov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra
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  • 62.
    Svetlanov Conducts Arensky Vol 2 - Suite No 1, Etc / Svetlanov, Et Al
    Svetlanov Conducts Arensky Vol 2 - Suite No 1, Etc / Svetlanov, Et Al
    Label: Svetlanov Foundation   Catalog: 2 Release Date: 06/17/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky
    Conductor:  Yevgeny Svetlanov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra
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  • 63.
    Svetlanov Conducts Arensky Vol 3 - Dream On The Volga Overture, Etc / Svetlanov, State Academic So
    Svetlanov Conducts Arensky Vol 3 - Dream On The Volga Overture, Etc / Svetlanov, State Academic So
    Label: Svetlanov Foundation   Catalog: 3 Release Date: 06/17/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky
    Conductor:  Yevgeny Svetlanov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian State Academic Symphony Orchestra
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  • 64.
    Capriccioso: Under The Blue Skies
    Label: Cello Classics   Catalog: 11020 Release Date: 11/01/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Niccolò Paganini,  Johannes Brahms,  Alexander Alyabyev  ... 
    Performer:  Alexander Rudin,  Victor Ginsburg,  Iana Ivanilova,  Vladimir Skanavi
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  • 65.
    Leonid Sobinow - Recordings 1901-1911
    Leonid Sobinow - Recordings 1901-1911
    Label: Hafg   Catalog: 10234 Release Date: 07/23/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  César Cui,  Alexander Borodin,  Anton Rubinstein,  Alexander Grechaninov  ... 
    Performer:  Leonid Sobinov,  Antonina Neshdanova
    ArkivCD $16.99
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  • 66.
    Arensky: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2; Suites; Overtures / Svetlanov
    Arensky: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2; Suites; Overtures / Svetlanov
    Label: Warner Classics   Catalog: 4643782 Release Date: 05/14/2007   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Anton Arensky
    Conductor:  Yevgeny Svetlanov
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian State Symphony Orchestra
    CD: $34.99
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  • 67.
    Live From El Paso Pro Musica - Arensky, Dohnányi / Harrell
    Live From El Paso Pro Musica - Arensky, Dohnányi / Harrell
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 1040 Release Date: 02/06/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ernö von Dohnányi,  Anton Arensky
    Performer:  Zuill Bailey,  Kirsten Johnson,  Giora Schmidt,  Soovin Kim  ... 
    CD: $12.99
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  • 68.
    Shostakovich, Arensky: Piano Trios / Claremont Trio
    Shostakovich, Arensky: Piano Trios / Claremont Trio
    Label: Tria Records   Catalog: 5637251483 Release Date: 01/16/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky,  Dmitri Shostakovich
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Claremont Trio
    CD: $23.99
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  • 69.
    Prima Voce - Nina Koshetz
    Prima Voce - Nina Koshetz
    Label: Nimbus   Catalog: 7935 Release Date: 01/09/2007   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Alexander Borodin,  Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov,  Maurice Ravel,  Traditional  ... 
    Performer:  Nina Koshetz
    Conductor:  Bruno Reibold
    CD: $18.99
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  • 70.
    A Celebration of Duo-Piano Music / Forte, Parkinson
    A Celebration of Duo-Piano Music / Forte, Parkinson
    Label: Roméo Records   Catalog: 7252 Release Date: 07/25/2006   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Francis Poulenc,  Maurice Ravel,  Claude Debussy  ... 
    Performer:  Madeleine Forte,  Del Parkinson
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  • 71.
    Tchaikovsky, Arensky: Piano Concertos / Blumental, Et Al
    Tchaikovsky, Arensky: Piano Concertos / Blumental, Et Al
    Label: Brana Records   Catalog: 13 Release Date: 05/30/2006   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer:  Felicja Blumental
    Conductor:  Jiri Waldhans,  Michael Gielen
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna Musikgesellschaft Orchestra
    CD: $9.99
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  • 72.
    Gemini - Violin Encores / Itzhak Perlman
    Gemini - Violin Encores / Itzhak Perlman
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 76957 Release Date: 02/21/2006   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Jean-Philippe Rameau,  Maurice Ravel,  Pablo de Sarasate,  Ernesto Halffter  ... 
    Performer:  Samuel Sanders,  Itzhak Perlman
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  • 73.
    Daniil Shtoda - Tenor
    Daniil Shtoda - Tenor
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 3348 Release Date: 09/20/2005   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov,  Alexander Grechaninov,  Antonio Spadavecchia,  Eduard Nápravník  ... 
    Performer:  Daniil Shtoda,  Elena Tsvetkova
    Conductor:  Constantine Orbelian
    CD: $17.99
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  • 74.
    Tchaikovsky Variations - Tchaikovsky, Arensky / Geringas
    Tchaikovsky Variations - Tchaikovsky, Arensky / Geringas
    Label: Ebs   Catalog: 6123 Release Date: 05/31/2005   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Anton Arensky,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer:  David Geringas
    Conductor:  David Geringas
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Pforzheim Southwest German Chamber Orchestra
    CD: $18.99
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  • 75.
    The Russian Legacy - Zara Dolukhanova
    The Russian Legacy - Zara Dolukhanova
    Label: Guild   Catalog: 2281/84 Release Date: 01/25/2005   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Alexander Dargomizhsky,  Gioachino Rossini,  Sergei Rachmaninov,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky  ... 
    Performer:  Zara Dolukhanova,  Berta Kozel,  Nadezhda Kazantseva,  Anton Ossipovich Bernard  ... 
    Conductor:  Leonid Piatigorsky,  Samuel Samosud,  Alexander Kovalev,  Rudolf Barshai
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Moscow Chamber Orchestra
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