Anton Rubinstein was a prolific composer. His Second Symphony, known as the ‘Ocean Symphony’, grew and grew as the composer revised it. The first version was completed in 1851, and consisted of four movements. The final version with seven movements appeared in 1880. Together these movements represent the Seven Seas. This simple scenario provided Rubinstein with plenty of opportunities for the most graphic musical scene painting, which he accomplished with great skill in terms of mood and atmosphere, as well as melody, structure and orchestration.