Alexandre Villoing

Alexandre Villoing (; 12 March 1804 – 2 September 1878) was a Russian pianist and music teacher best known for teaching Anton and Nikolai Rubinstein. Biography Alexandre Villoing was born in Moscow to a French émigré. At twelve years old, he was sent to the Golitsyn Hospital to study pharmacy, where he stayed until 1821. He later abandoned pharmacy and studied music with Franz Xaver Gebel and John Field. Villoing lived and taught music across the country from 1823 to 1830. He moved to Moscow in the 1830s. Around 1837, he took on Anton Rubinstein as a pupil. Villoing accompanied Rubinstein on his trip to Paris, sent by his mother, where his pupil unsuccessfully sought to enroll in the Paris Conservatory and performed in the Salle Érard. Villoing took Rubinstein on a tour of Europe, where Rubinstein gave concerts to great success. His teaching was highly praised. He also taught Nikolai Rubinstein. Returning to Russia, he enjoyed a reputation as a piano teacher. He took his stepdaughters to Paris, where they first appeared in a concert on 17 February 1862. Villoing returned to Moscow in the same year and moved to Saint Petersburg in September. Aside from the piano, he also played the