Paul (Russian: Pavel) Pabst (May 15, 1854 - June 9, 1897) was a pianist and composer born in to a family of musicians in East Prussia. Pabst was fortunate to meet Anton Rubinstein as a young child, and moved to Russia in 1878. In that same year, Pabst, who was an accomplished pianist by this time, accepted Nikolai Rubinstein's invitation to become a professor at the Moscow Conservatory. Pabst was considered the best pianist at the Conservatory, and he was admired by composers and pianists alike. Piotr Tchaikovsky considered him a "pianist from God", and Franz Liszt was also an admirer.

In regards to his compositions,  most of his works were  transcripts of Tchaikovsky's ballets, but he also wrote one concerto in 1885, his Piano Concerto in E flat major. Rich, lyrical, and quite difficult, it's in three movements (Allegro maestoso, Andante cantabile, Allegro assai). The first movement has an inspiring, hopeful theme. The second movement starts with a mysterious, ethereal orchestral introduction, and the piano comes in with some sparkling arpeggios. The third movement is dance and folk-song like, with hints of Tchaikovsky and Liszt in the work. Critics in St. Petersburg sadly didn't take too well to the work, and when he premiered it in Moscow, critics said it wasn't in the "Russian tradition". Pabst sent the work back to Leipzig, feeling defeated, and it wasn't discovered until a century later.

Here are some recordings we found for you to enjoy!

Oleg Marshev
Panagiotis Trochopoulos