Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 50, Frederic Chopin, 51 Mazurkas [Original recording remastered]

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

Product Details

• Performer: Artur Rubinstein
• Composer: Frederic Chopin
• Audio CD (March 6, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00004ZD5E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,699 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #23 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Mazurkas

Editorial Reviews

Pillow - Roll (Scribbles)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The unsurpassable Rubinstein, March 28, 2001

By 

"pspa" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 50, Frederic Chopin, 51 Mazurkas (Audio CD)

While his recordings of other composers is somewhat uneven, Rubinstein is the absolute master of Chopin. Noone else captures the beauty, nuance, depth, poetry, and feel of his music in quite the same way, and the Mazurkas (which by the way sound wonderful in their new remastering) are no exception. Even the very familiar ones sound fresh in Rubinstein's hands, and whether you listen to these a few at a time (as I usually do) or straight through, I highly recommend this recording as well as the other reissues in this series.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rubinstein's Final Chopin Mazurkas, March 10, 2001

By 

Hank Drake (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 50, Frederic Chopin, 51 Mazurkas (Audio CD)

Arthur Rubinstein made three recordings of Chopin's 51 Mazurkas, this final set being made in 1965-1966. As with most everything he made multiple recordings of, the three sets of Mazurkas (along with three Mazurkas he recorded separately in 1932) make for fascinating comparisons. There is a gradual metamorphosis from the more exciting, brilliant, and episodic performances of the 1930s toward the more sober, reflective, structurally cohesive approach of the 1960s recordings.

Rubinstein considered this version one of the finest recordings he had ever made, but in my opinion, his earlier versions are superior. In the 1930s set (volume 6), he more effectively captures the "swing" of this Polish peasant dance, where the 1960s version tends to sound metrically stricter and, at times, wanting in spontaneity. The 1950s version (Volume 27) melds the youthful and mature approaches, but I prefer the first set.

Still, this is the only Mazurka set Rubinstein recorded in stereo, and Rubinstein enthusiasts will not want to be without it. There are many valid approaches to these elusive gems. In addition to this set, collectors would do well to aquire the 29 Mazurkas William Kapell recorded before his early death, and the scattered Mazurkas recorded by Horowitz.

The recorded sound, which was pretty good to begin with, has been excellently remastered.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic recordings... you can get the 11cd box for the same price, December 18, 2008

By 

M. Bauer "M." (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 50, Frederic Chopin, 51 Mazurkas (Audio CD)

The other reviewers have done a fine job of explaining the merits of these recordings. I'm simply writing to let you know you can purchase these recordings as part of Rubinstein's 11 CD RCA Chopin box set for the same price right here at amazon.com Includes liner notes, and CDs are in jewel cases. Not to be missed.