Customer Reviews

Music of Spain

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Rubinstein's first commercial success as a concert pianist came in Spanish speaking countries - particularly in South America. They loved his playing and especially his playing of Spanish music. And he loved playing it.

This disk is a collection of some of his standard works in that repertoire and what a wonderful recording this is. Every track is great fun and played very well. Sure, it is in Rubinstein's style, but most of us love that style.

I have played this disk for friends of mine from South America and Mexico without telling them who the pianist is and they all say that he has got the music just right and the love his playing. When they find out it is a Jew from Poland they smile and say that may be where he is from, but his soul is Latin.

Well, all I know is that this contributes to my conviction of Rubinstein's greatness. You will enjoy this music. Email me with your thoughts once you hear the disk.

The reason I bought this CD was because I am currently taking a Classical Music Class in Barry University in Miami and my professor suggested that I buy it since I was born in Cuba of Spanish descent. I truly enjoyed it especially Nights in the Gardens of Spain and my other favorite piece was El Amor Brujo "Ritual Fire Dance" you could almost visualized the gypsy flamenco dancers dancing very erotically around a fire, it was fantastic.

Rubenstein did a remake of the "Gardens" with Jorda in San Francisco, but listening to this earlier one made me realize the far greater musicianship of the maestro and the standard of the ensemble.

All of the love that can be lavished on these works pays off in an overall hypnotic experience in this niche of the international repertoire. Add this one to your collection of Spanish works and get to know its authority in context. Simply wonderful.