Customer Reviews

Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1/2 / Trois nouvelles etudes (Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 44)

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Rubinstein recorded the Chopin Concertos numerous times. This version of Chopin's first Concerto is the most successful of Rubinstein's several versions, partly thanks to the sensitive accompaniment of the New London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. Tempos are well-judged, phrasing is supple and natural, virtuosity is there, but not for its own sake. The sound on the original LP and the first CD issue, was plagued by dropouts at the beginning of the Concerto--these have been smoothed over remarkably, but not entirely eliminated. Balance between orchestra and piano has also been improved.

The Second Concerto is somewhat less successful. Here, Rubinstein is partnered by Alfred Wallenstein, his favored accompanist during the 1950s and early 1960s. Wallenstein secures reasonable playing from the Symphony of the Air, then long past its earlier glory as the NBC Symphony Orchestra. Rubinstein's playing is fine, but the overall enjoyment of the performance is hampered by the sonic picture, which remains synthetic and dryish--despite the best efforts of the remastering team. Purists should be warned that, at Rubinstein's insistence, the violins do not play "con legno" as Chopin indicated.

The Three New Etudes, recorded in 1962, are similar to - if less fleet fingered than - Rubinstein's earlier stereo version from 1958.

Since Rubinstein's recordings are made so long ago, the recording quality certainly will not be as sophisticated as the present but if we can concentrate on his musicality, his beautiful tone color, performances that has virtuosity but the most important thing brought forward is making music, it is a joy and inspiring to listen to him being an artist and not simply a mechanic. There is no one "correct" way to interpret any piece of music, you just have to find the performance that you like the most but Rubinstein's performances certainly rank right up there for many people. You don't have to be musically educated to enjoy art, just listen, look, and react the way you feel. Enjoy!