Search - Frederic Chopin, London Symphony Orchestra, Artur Rubinstein :: Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set]

Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set]
Frederic Chopin, London Symphony Orchestra, Artur Rubinstein
Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set]
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #2
  •  Track Listings (33) - Disc #3
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #4
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #5

Pillow - Roll (Scribbles)

     
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Pillow - Roll (Scribbles)

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CD Reviews

Chopin at its best
02/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This early collection of Chopin by its ultimate master is a superb, moving collection of Chopin's best. Many have claimed that Rubinstein's early recordings of Chopin are more virtuosic than musical. Nonsense. Listen to the nocturnes and many of the mazurkas and you will be moved. The scherzos have a visceral impact (especially the third) that cannot be matched by anyone, not Horowitz, not Argerich. THe sound quality leaves more to be desired but other than that, this is the best recording in terms of sheer raw pianism and musicality of this music. Superb!"
RECORDING QUALITY IS A FACTOR
Page T. Oneill | Covington, GA | 02/09/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Otherwise, I would have given 5 stars. The fact that these have a hiss (and you can practically hear him close the piano on several numbers) should be mentioned. I guess we are spoiled to audio quality, but this is an expensive collection and this fact was glaringly omitted. That said, I have enjoyed the recordings, in spite of the very audible hiss."
THE GREATEST OF CHOPIN PIANISTS
Klingsor Tristan | Suffolk | 03/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are the earlier discs of Rubinstein's Chopin, recorded by HMV in London during the 1930's. It is less complete than his later recordings for RCA - no Sonatas, no Ballades, no Etudes. The sound is naturally of its time - but in many ways more natural than the sharply-lit, slightly edgy piano sound RCA favoured in the 50's and 60's. Nevertheless, these are the Chopin performances I return to most.



Rubinstein's natural affinity with Chopin is legendary. He seemed always able to capture precisely the right degree of rubato at exactly the right moment in these pieces. And he had a unique ability in his countryman's music to balance the lyrical with the impassioned, what seems completely spontaneous with what is clearly deeply considered. The Nocturnes here are, I think, the best you'll hear anywhere on disc. In the greatest of them - the Opp.37 & 48 sets, for example - Rubinstein gets the contrast between the dreamy nocturnal outer sections with the darker, more impassioned central sections just right. These are not salon miniatures in his hands but big works, if not in length then in content. And no-one can match Rubinstein in the elusive diversity of this complete set of Mazurkas. The two Concerti both have Barbirolli as the sympathetic conductor, following Rubinstein's lead in the ebb and flow of phrases and whole sections of these gorgeous and often maligned works. Interestingly the recording of Concerto No.2 (actually the first composed) dates from before the pianist's famous withdrawal from public performance to reconstruct his technique and his approach, that of Concerto No.1 from after. Perhaps one can detect a touch more maturity and refinement in his approach to the latter, but they are both ravishing performances.



Many of the performances on these 5 discs are the greatest Chopin you're likely to hear. And the ear soon adjusts to the somewhat old-fashioned recorded piano sound. This is a highly desirable set for any lover of Chopin and/or great piano playing."