Anton Arensky

Anton Arensky was born in Novgorod. At the age of seven he took piano classes and at the age of 9 wrote quartet for violin, piano, flute and cello. In 1882 he finished St. Petersburg Conservatory (class of Rimsky-Korsakov) and became lecturer at Moscow Conservatory (Professor since 1889). Anton Arensky directed choir companies of Russia from 1888-1895, from 1895 to 1901 was the director of the Court Singing Chapel. He wrote operas, ballet and other compositions. His textbooks on harmony, which were known at that time were also used by the young Komitas. Anton Arensky had close relations with Alexander Spendiaryan. Died in Kirillovskoye.