Without Eduard Nápravník (1839–1916), a defining figure in Czech music, the musical life of Russia in the second half of the 19th century would be almost unimaginable. At the age of 23, he came to Russia, where, from 1869, he served as the first Kapellmeister of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. There, he conducted the premieres of more than 80 Russian operas and worked closely with renowned composers, including the "Five," Anton Rubinstein, and Tchaikovsky. Through his disciplined leadership, the Mariinsky Theatre became one of the leading opera houses in Europe.
Influenced by music from an early age, Nápravník received instruction from his uncle, Augustin Svoboda, and continued his studies with renowned musicians such as J. F. Kittl in Prague. In 1861, on the recommendation of Prince N. B. Yusopov, he became the conductor of a private orchestra in St. Petersburg. Due to health problems, he later reduced his workload after conducting many important premieres. His compositional output—four operas and several orchestral works—bears clear Tchaikovsky influences. As a conductor and composer, he enjoyed high esteem from Tchaikovsky and other contemporaries. He dedicated his Concerto symphonique in A minor, Op. 27, which premiered in 1877 with its powerful piano passages and dynamic themes, to Anna Esipova.
The Fantaisie russe in B minor, Op. 39, based on three Russian folk songs, was dedicated to Vera Timanova. It begins with the song "The Volga Boatmen," followed by a Russian dance and a gentle theme. The versatile Felix Blumenfeld, pianist, conductor, and teacher, maintained a successful collaboration with Nápravník and brought Russian operas to European stages. Among his more than sixty compositions is the energetic Allegro de concert in A major, Op. 7, inspired by Liszt's concertos and distinguished by its virtuosic piano technique and rich thematic development. Described by Heinrich Neuhaus as a multi-talented musician, Blumenfeld taught renowned pianists and left behind a substantial body of work that documents his exceptional talent.