PREFACEThe Sonata in D major by A. G. Rubinstein, written in 1870, is the the only large-scale cyclic composition of a concert-virtuoso style in the history of Russian piano duet. The dramaturgy of the sonata is the same as that of Rubinstein's symphonies and concertos — it is put together in a peculiar way from more or less lengthy fragments, reminiscent of a sequence of bright, almost theatrical paintings.The characteristic feature of the piano writing style is the songfulness, not only of its themes, but also of its chord sequences (often sounding choir-like) and virtuoso passages, which, due to the use of legato, are perceived as being "sung". Orchestral techniques are used occasionally, for instance, the chord repetition of the "woodwinds" in the scherzo. The pianistic beauty of the texture is achieved by using a variety of techniques of the classical and romantic pianism, enriched by the personal experience of the incomparable pianist.One would wish to imagine how the sonata must have sounded on February 28,1871 in Saint-Petersburg, performed by the brothers Rubinstein, or in Vienna in early January 1872, where A. Rubinstein played it with F. Liszt. Hans von Biilow wrote from Vienna to his friend J. Lasso: "Hang yourself for not having heard it, — it was incomprehensibly beautiful".The current edition is based on the publication of BartholfSenff Publishers (Leipzig, 1871?). Ties and dynamic indications, given in square brackets, notation of moving notes from one hand to the other, and pedaling are added by the editors. The notes that the editors recommend moving from one part to the other are put in parentheses. In the part of the performer who is recommended to play them, those notes are given in square brackets. An asterisk marks such cases. Obvious typographical errors are corrected unconditionally. Some of the changes made to the Bartholf Senffpublication are listed below.A. Bachchiev, E. Sorokina