Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set] [Box set]

Frederic Chopin (Composer), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Artur Rubinstein (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Artur Rubinstein
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
• Composer: Frederic Chopin
• Audio CD (March 15, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002S59
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,488 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 In E minor, Op. 11: Allegro maestoso risoluto

2. Piano Concerto No. 1 In E minor, Op. 11: Romanze (Larghetto) -

3. Piano Concerto No. 1 In E minor, Op. 11: Rondo vivace

4. Piano Concerto No. 2 In F minor, Op. 21: Maestoso

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Nocturne No. 4 In F Major, Op. 15 No. 1

2. Nocturne No. 5 In F Sharp Major, Op. 15 No. 2

3. Nocturne No. 6 In G Minor, Op. 15 No. 3

4. Nocturne No. 7 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 1

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Waltz In A-Flat Major, Op. 34, No. 1

2. Mazurka In F-Sharp Minor, Op. 6, No.1

3. Mazurka In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 6, No.2

4. Mazurka In E-Major, Op. 6, No.3

See all 33 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Mazurka In B-Major, Op. 56, No. 1

2. Mazurka In C-Major, Op. 56, No. 2

3. Mazurka In C-Minor, Op. 56, No. 3

4. Mazurka In A-Minor, Op. 59, No. 1

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5

1. Barcaolle In F-Sharp Major, Op. 60

2. Berseuse In D-Flar Major

3. Polonaise In C-Sharp Major, Op. 26, No. 1

4. Polonaise In E-Flat Major, Op. 26, No.2

See all 10 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Pillow - Roll (Scribbles)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chopin at its best, February 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set] (Audio CD)

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!

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars RECORDING QUALITY IS A FACTOR, February 9, 2005

By 

Page T. Oneill (Covington, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set] (Audio CD)

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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE GREATEST OF CHOPIN PIANISTS, March 1, 2007

By 

Klingsor Tristan (Suffolk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur Rubinstein plays Chopin [Box Set] (Audio CD)

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.