This collection of 24 pieces, or portraits, represents Rubinstein's largest effort for solo piano. The composer wrote it when he was in residence at one of the palaces of the Grand Duchess, Elena Pavlovna, sister-in-law of the Tsar. The palace, located at Kamenniy-Ostrov (Rocky Island)—hence, the name of this collection—was also occupied by a large number of the Duchess' attendants and members of court. These 24 pieces are actually portraits of them and show the influence of many other prominent composers of the day.

The first piece, marked Allegro moderato, begins with a Lisztian flourish, then moves on to present an attractive, sedate main theme and Romantic secondary one that both divulge the fingerprints of Chopin. The lively third portrait, marked Con moto, has an attractive lightness to its scamper in the outer sections, recalling both Liszt and Chopin. No. 7 is sweet and sounds reminiscent of Liszt's "Ricordanza" from his Transcendental Etudes. The 11th (Moderato) features a pair of attractive themes in the outer section, the first bright and lovely, the second Slavic and dark in character.

The 14th portrait, marked Moderato, is delightfully playful in its main material, but serious in the contrasting middle episode. The Mendelssohnian No. 17 effervesces in its cascades of notes until the elegant middle section slows the pace a bit. The main theme returns, shedding its lightness in favor of a more stately manner. The 19th, marked Agitato, has a Slavic flavor and somewhat agitated character, but turns more Lisztian as it proceeds, sounding sinister then sweet, finally ending in a generally subdued manner.

The best know portrait in the collection is No. 22, marked Andante. It features a memorable opening theme of ethereal quality, matching well the piece's nickname, "Angelic Dream." The alternate theme is Schumann-esque, and when the opening melody returns, it carries a more muscular cast. The final piece is marked Allegro con moto and provides an upbeat close to this massive set, which lasts about two hours when performed whole.

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