Anton (Stepanovich)Arensky, born 1861, Novgorod, Russia -- died 1906, Terijoki, Finland, Russian Empire), Russian composer known especially for his chamber music and his songs. Though a composition student of Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Arensky's work was more akin to that of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky; the predominant moods of his music are lyrical and elegiac.

Of his three operas only the first, A Dream on the Volga (Moscow, 1891), was successful. His Piano Trio in D Minor and String Quartet in A Minor show him at his best. His piano pieces, which exceed 100 in number, include four suites for two pianos. Besides conducting in Moscow, he held teaching posts at the Moscow Conservatory (1882-95) and the directorship of the imperial chapel at St. Petersburg (1895-1901).

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