Nikolai Zverev

He attended Moscow State University, studying mathematics and physics, while taking piano lessons from Alexander Dubuque (1812–1898).

[1] He did not graduate, because he inherited a large family fortune, and moved to Saint Petersburg to become a civil servant.

[2] While there, he continued to study piano with Adolf von Henselt, who emphasized the importance of practice, which was the basis of Zverev's own strict regime that he required of his students.

Rachmaninoff's recollections are of interest: I entered Zverev's home with a heavy heart and foreboding, having heard tell of his severity and 'heavy hand', which he had no qualms of resorting to.

Indeed, we were able to witness proof of this latter: Zverev had a temper, and could launch himself at a person fists flailing, or hurl some object at the offender.

And that was a time when there was so much on offer: take the famous historical concerts of Anton Rubinstein, where we had an opportunity to hear all that was the greatest!

[5]Zverev required many things of each student, including mandatory opera attendances and chamber music rehearsals.