The Russian pianist and composer Anton Rubinstein was a titanic force of pianism throughout 19th-century Russia and Europe and his playing helped shape an entire generation of pianists. Although in his lifetime he achieved greatest fame as a pianist and a conductor, his major piano works are increasingly recognized as significant contributions to the Romantic piano repertoire. The Six Suites, Op. 23, composed during the earlier part of his career, and the Six Barcarolles, composed over a period of 32 years are two significant collections, both exhibiting Rubinstein’s sense of melody, passion, nobility and grandeur.