Customer Reviews

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 41

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Arthur Rubinstein received his early training as a musician in a manner totally foreign to today's young students. His early teachers were Joseph Joachim (a friend of Brahms) and Heinrich Barth. He was permitted by his teachers to give occasional performances, required to attend concerts, and played through the chamber repertoire with his fellow students. This is in contrast to the current generation which is consigned to the practice rooms of crowded conservatories (virtuoso factories, actually) and bred to win competitions, often at the expense of true musical developement. As a result, Rubinstein was able to make the crossover between stunning virtuoso performances, and communicative chamber music appearances.

Henryk Szeryng first performed with Rubinstein in the 1950s. Immediately, their musical chemistry evolved into friendship, and it is this atmosphere which suffuses all of their recorded performances. There is a give-and-take in these performances which recalls the great chamber music recordings of Rachmaninoff and Kreisler. One never gets the sense that Rubinstein and Szeryng are trying to "one-up" each other. Everything is in perfect balance. Rubinstein loved Brahms, approached him as a living composer, and the result is performances which continue to inspire decades later.

The remastered sound is excellent in every respect, fully meeting the standards of the latest recordings.

Rubinstein was the luckiest man indeed. Joachim did take him on musically when he was small. But we are also lucky in the sense that Rubinstein rediscovered Szeryng. That partly explains why there is such good collaboration between the two in this record.

There is a similiar version by Suk/Katchen. Suk is no less expressive but he is gloomier in tone, whereas Katchen is more robust and perhaps more intellectual than Rubinstein. The collaboration is surprisingly almost as good. Nonetheless, I prefer this one, as with Szeryng we have everything one could expect -- no wonder Perlman sounds a bit sour in his comments on Szeryng. What Szeryng has to offer is pure music: it's appealing, relaxing, it's irresistibe. One may not be always ready to go to Menuhin, not so with Szeryng. He is as charming as Kreisler albeit in a different way.

Rubinstein is equally relaxing but his music comes in a broader brush. One doesn't need to be able to appreciate the art of say, Egon Petri to be able to enjoy him, not at all. But it would help if one could go more often to Horszowski, then one would be able to enjoy him better. It's something quite different from Rudolf Serkin or Horowitz or Michelangeli, or indeed any modern pianist.

There is yet another version by Mutter. But it seems that it is essentially more to the taste of the younger generation, geared for surprises and excitement, wouldn't accept anything but the most excellent recorded sound. But as pointed out by some other reviewer, the recorded sound of this one is most excellent, so are the other two.

As a violinist and pianist, there are few recordings I delight in more than this one. The interplay between Artur Rubinstein and Henryk Szeryng is just gorgeous. If for some reason, you are more of a lay person considering purchase of this, listen to the first track and imagine it being played at a gorgeous spring wedding. If you're looking for a gift that's not from the standard repertoire of overplayed classical selections, this is an awesome CD that will delight that picky classical listener. Otherwise, for musicians, this is simply a sublime set of sonatas played by the best in the business. The recording quality is intimate and excellent. We are lucky to have these sensitive and thoughtful sessions captured and available on CD. I find myself listening to and being inspired by this CD far more than I ever anticipated. This CD is going to the desert isle with me!

Oh my! Some reviewers certainly seem to have a bug up their bonnet for this disc.

This disc is a joy. The interplay between Rubinstein and Szeryng is warm and fraternal. It is a collaborative partnership that reflects their deep mutual admiration and friendship. Szeryng's tone is warmer and more lyrical than some of the other well known proponents of these works (ie, Mutter) and very well suited for Rubinstein's burnished 19th century sensibility.

For the life of me - I truly have no idea what the two reviewers below meant when they referred to wondering "what Szeryng's playing would have sounded like, if only it had been audible" or the allegations of terrible "reproduction" (sic) that mars any "wonders of articulation, tone, or phrasing". Perhaps they were listening to the disc on a 1970s Aiwa mini audio system. The "reproduction" of these re-mastered recordings, as heard over an audiophile system, is superb. There is warmth, presence, and a wide sound stage. Furthermore, Rubinstein's piano is appropriately recessed towards the right, and Szeryng is front and left of center. There is no question about this. I have absolutely no idea what Mr. Barham is referring to in his review.

These recordings, from 1960, are cherishable. We should consider ourselves fortunate that these two masters were caught at the peak of their powers at a time when recording technology could do their performances justice.

Selling for about $5 on the amazon used marketplace, this disc is a veritable treasure. The artists' natural rapport capture the essence of chamber music. Easily my favorite performances of these works; a disc in the Rubinstein Collection that truly deserves 5 stars.

If you have any interest at all in Brahms' violin sonatas don't hesitate to purchase these performances. I have heard Perlman/Ashkenazy, Suk/Katchen and quite a few others but none of them beat Szeryng and Rubinstein. They make the music dance. The sound is first rate.

As a violinist and pianist, there are few recordings I delight in more than this one. The interplay between Arthur and Henrik is just gorgeous. If for some reason, you are more of a lay person considering purchase of this, listen to the first track and imagine it being played at a gorgeous spring wedding. Otherwise, for musicians, this is simply a sublime set of sonatas played by the best in the business. I feel lucky to have this on CD.

This is indeed a beautifully remastered recording, where two of the greatest musicians ever, converse with legendary rapport and true artistic collaboration. How could have some previous reviewers reached the conclusion that this CD is "abysmal", is beyond me. You have to be pretty much deaf or insensitive to beauty, in order to pronounce this particular CD "abysmal"... Henryk Szeryng's sublime mastery and noble sound is just what Brahms very much requires. Rubinstein was a genius, whose musicianship and storied accomplishments have withstood the passage of time and fashions. We have Rubinstein to thank for rediscovering Szeryng and persuading him to re-enter the career of a concert artist. One of the greatest violinists ever, Henryk Szeryng's interpretations have been always fabulous and brilliantly rendered. The Brahms Sonatas are no exception. Szeryng's very individual burnished sound is warm and heartbreakingly beautiful, his phrasing is elegant, and his entire presentation is deeply moving. To experience these recordings is profoundly, remarkably great! I cherish this CD and highly recommend it to anyone. An absolute must!

I bought this cd because of the many wonderful LPs which featured Szeryng or Rubenstein in combinations with other greats of my youth. It is a Dud. Any -wonders of articulation, tone, or phrasing the artists tried to express were squelched by terrible reproduction techniques. Even though it's inexpensive, avoid it. It's a waste of time and money.

An Old Appreciator

Abysmal. Brahms composed these sonatas for Violin and Piano, not PIANO and violin. If these performances can be rebalanced, that should be done. If not, sink the whole thing like a stone. I will always wonder what Szeryng's playing would have sounded like, if only it had been audible.

-Frank W. Barham