In general, Anton Rubinstein and the younger Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky are both seen as Russian composers who were mainly focussed on the musical developments in Western Europe and, ‘therefore’, less on their own Russian culture. As far as Tchaikovsky is concerned, this is a misrepresentation which becomes apparent when we successively listen to works of both composers, like String Quartet No. 2 by Rubinstein from 1852/1853 and String Quartet No. 1 by Tchaikovsky from 1871.
Anton Rubinstein – String Quartet No. 2, in C minor, opus 17:2 (1852/1853)
1. Moderato, 2. Allegro molto vivace, 3. Molto lento, 4. Moderato
Performed by: Royal String Quartet Copenhagen
CD: Etcetera
Pjotr Iljitsj Tsjaikovski – String Quartet No. 1, in D major, opus 11 (1871)
1. Moderato e semplice, 2. Andante cantabile, 3. Scherzo. Allegro non tanto e con fuoco, 4. Finale. Allegro giusto
Performed by: Quatuor Danel
CD: CPO
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