Customer Reviews

Arthur Rubinstein: The Chopin Collection

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One comes to note certain inevitable pairings between pianists and the composers for whom they had the most affinity, and between composers and the one artist who seems best to convey their work. Bach and Gould, Beethoven and Schnabel, Rachmaninoff and Horowitz, Scriabin and Sofronitzky, as well as others, come to mind. But no such pairing is more compelling than Chopin and Rubinstein, and this set is a monumental testament to the towering genius of Chopin's compositional achievements and the unsurpassed mastery and naturalness of Rubinstein's approach. In nearly every form -- the grandeur of the ballades, the subtle shading of the nocturnes, the pomp of the polonaises -- Rubinstein presents what is best in Chopin's music, with flair, ardor and a glorious golden coloration that one can never forget. Yes, Hofmann and Horowitz could outfinger him, but in direct emotional command, no one has touched Rubinstein's consummate mastery of Chopin's sound world. An indispensable set.

Having listened over 20 years to many, many recordings of Chopin, I am persuaded that Rubinstein's essay is in fact the definitive version. Unmannered, direct, moving and above all noble--Rubinstein's characteristic approach. I never tire of this collection no matter how often or when I listen to it. If you have not listened to the Nocturnes - do so and be prepared to experience the full range, power and emotional impact of the piano as few can deliver it.

Having grown up with the much older vinyl edition, this complete Rubinstein Chopin collection brings back to life the old vinyl record set with new clarity and adds additional music. With the same red RCA logo as the vinyl records, a sense of nostalgia is created. Rubinstein plays chopin like no other, and now on digital medium, Rubinstein's work will last for generations. The CD's add a much needed clarity to the original vinyl set. The stereo selections have better stereo separation and high fidelity than the vinyl records. This CD box set is the complete Rubinstein Chopin collection, the vinyl record set did not include such key recordings as the Mazurkas and others. From the novice listener to the experienced Chopin enthusiast, this Rubinstein Collection is a monumental acheivement. In these recordings, Rubinstein brings forth his own unique mastery of Chopin. One cannot fully appreciate Chopin without listening to his playing. Rubinstein's subtle expressions, nuances, virtuosity, and bold declarations are consistent from recording to recording. This is a mandatory addition to any classical collection and required listening for anyone interested in Chopin.

This is Chopin at its best. As a longtime listener, and sometime pianist, there is no better Chopin available. I have listened to all 11 CDs in this set many times, and never tire of it. I recommend it without reservation to all who love Chopin. The notable lack is the omission of the Etudes.

Having grown up with the much older vinyl edition, this complete Rubinstein Chopin collection brings back to life the old vinyl record set with new clarity and adds additional music. With the same red RCA logo as the vinyl records, a sense of nostalgia is created. Rubinstein plays chopin like no other, and now on digital medium, Rubinstein's work will last for generations. The CD's add a much needed clarity to the original vinyl set. The stereo selections have better stereo separation and high fidelity than the vinyl records. This CD box set is the complete Rubinstein Chopin collection, the vinyl record set did not include such key recordings as the Mazurkas and others. From the novice listener to the experienced Chopin enthusiast, this Rubinstein collection is a monumental acheivement. In these recordings, Rubinstein brings forth his own unique mastery of Chopin. One cannot fully appreciate Chopin without listening to his playing. Rubinstein's subtle expressions, nuances, virtuosity, and bold declarations are consistent from recording to recording. This is a mandatory addition to any classical collection and required listening for anyone interested in Chopin.

As long as pianists perform Chopin, they will read the name of Artur Rubinstein in their reviews, because Rubinstein is the standard to which all others are compared. It doesn't matter if the performance is more pyrotechnic, as Horowitz's Polonaise in Ab (Op. 53) certainly was, or if they are supremely intelligent and perfectly rendered, as Pollini's Etudes and Preludes are, of if they are fresh and exciting as in Murray Perahia' more recent recordings; we can rate only them because Rubinstein set the standard by which all others are judged. And after listening to all those others, and loving them, I still go back to Rubinstein and feel as though I'm home again. He has a voice and an incredible "something" to communicate in each turn of phrase that is never ostentatious, never over-reaching, yet always deep, always pure and natural, always the sound of the old world, as if it had simply transported itself through time and was speaking in its native voice. Which... it was. Rubinstein was 12 years old at the turn of the century (1900), but he already was deeply rooted in old Europe's musical style. His long life enabled him to bring that world to life for several generations.

This is one of the most incredible boxed sets in the music world. It is the Rubinstein I grew up on, made new with digital remastering, mostly by Max Wilcox, who was also the original engineer on most of these discs. If you have not heard these recordings, you are in for a treat. If you have heard them before, then this set is going to sound familiar, but more clear and detailed than the old LPs and 45s of the originals.

This is essential Chopin, by one of the most incredible men who ever sat at a piano. I just can't recommend this enough.

Shooshie

Rubinstein has always been one of my favorite pianists. Some criticize him for technique or this or that, but I have heard dozens and dozens of concert pianists live and I heard him live only once. It was one of the great nights of my life. Of course, he didn't follow the program. He played what he felt like playing (he was nearly blind then). And the Chopin was utterly beautiful. His tone and phrasing and love of the music was a force that won over everyone in the audience.

This collection contains the Chopin recordings Rubinstein made over the years. It contains some pieces more than once because there were recordings in Rubinstein's early and late years. There is a difference in the playing (and the sound is better in the later recordings).

Purists complain about this or that. It is easy to attack giants. But Rubinstein has remained in the pantheon and I don't think anyone is going to knock him off the list of great pianists anytime soon. I hope this collection isn't going out of print. It is an important collection musically and historically.

I recently purchased this box set, and even though I have many other different versions of Chopin's mazurkas, etudes, preludes, sonatas and noctures, I had very few waltzes, impromtus or polinaises before this purchase. So while the music isn't necessarily new to me, the interpretations are. There are a few different tempos than I am used to with some pieces, but the sound quality is excellent, with the exceptions of the preludes. They were recorded nearly 60 years ago so the background noise is something I'm not accustomed to, but this set is amazing. I will listen to it many times over, and treasure this set the rest of my life.
If you can get your hands on a copy, I would highly recommend doing so as soon as you can.

Recorded at the hight of his artistic maturity, Rubinstein's Chopin recordings will remain as hallmark of great pianism, as long as this world lasts. There are loads of young stars nowadays, but how many of them could really match the artistry of Rubinstein; the noble beauty and grace of his playing, lavishing colours and endlessly subtle tonal gradation, Titanic technical command...

60-70s stereo sound is very natural and warm. Preludes are recorded mono and sound is rather muddy. It's a shame that Rubinstein did not re-record 24 Preludes in 70s. I prefer non-remastered sound of this set to the heavily remastered and too clear sound of latest Rubinstein collection version.

I find that the item ASIN: B000026OW3 is cheaper than this set. The CD set is IMPORT. Does someone know the difference?
Thanks