Anton Arensky belongs to that unique band of Russian composers (Glazunov, Lyadov, Grechaninov and others) who were the product of Rimsky-Korsakov’s teaching at the St Petersburg Conservatory during the 1870s and 1880s. From the very beginning of his career as a composer, however, Arensky showed himself to be an eclectic, having diverse musical tastes and sympathies. This tendency became even more pronounced when, after his graduation in 1882, he was invited to teach harmony and counterpoint at the Moscow Conservatory. There he became increasingly influenced by Tchaikovsky, whose musical style he often emulated. During the years spent in Moscow Arensky occupied several important posts. In 1888 he was appointed conductor of the Russian Choral Society and the following year he was invited onto the supervisory board of the Synadol School. His most important work, nonetheless, was associated with the conservatory and his numerous pupils included Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Glière and others.

During the last period of his career Arensky returned to St Petersberg to replace Balakirev as head of the Imperial Cappella. He remained there from 1894 to 1901 and then retired with a comfortable pension. Although this gave Arensky more time to compose, his health was already failing him. A lifelong addiction to drinking and gambling only exacerbated the consumption that eventually carried him to the grave five years later. Rimsky-Korsakov’s pronouncement that Arensky ‘…will soon be forgotten…’ is less than generous. Though his voice may lack the sharp individuality of his contemporaries, his music more than compensates with its melodic charm, refined elegance and clarity of texture.