Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 45 [Box set, 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: 1
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• 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: RCA
• ASIN: B00004ZD5B
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,094 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Ballads

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Good As It Gets..., March 6, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 45 (Audio CD)

Rubinstein was in his prime when these versions of the Chopin Ballades and Scherzos were recorded in 1959. Curiously, although this was to be his third version of the Scherzos, he had never recorded the Ballades before.

Rubinstein was temperamentally well suited to these works, moreso than in the Mazurkas and Preludes. The narrative aspect of the Ballades suited his intuitive sense of structure well. At this point in his career, Rubinstein had known these pieces for six decades. It is no wonder, therefore, that he performs them more convincingly than, say, Kissin does on his recent recording.

The Scherzos are outright virtuoso works. Rubinstein would occasionally perform all four in concert, back-to-back. Any other pianist would have been exhasted by the effort. Not Rubinstein, who posessed a seemingly inexaustable reserve of energy. The pianist is just as on top of these pieces, technically, as any of his colleagues, and much more attuned to them musically.

The Tarantella is an effective encore here, if lacking in the final degree of "bite" (pun intended) this crazed dance piece requires.

The sound, made from original recordings produced by RCA's legendary Jack Pfeiffer, is spectacular--sounding every bit as lifelike as the best of today's digital recordings.

This is the one to get!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You need this. Really., March 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 45 (Audio CD)

I heard several different recordings of the ballades before I listened to Rubinstein play them, and still loved them. However, after listening to this recording, I cannot go back to them anymore. This is the most fulfilling performance of the ballades I have heard-- completely poetic, completely sensible.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Chopin, May 10, 2003

By 

Zhivago - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 45 (Audio CD)

One could honestly remark that 95% of Rubinstein's musical fame came from his intepretation of Chopin. Take Rubinstein at any age, whether at 27 or 72, and he will give you impecable performance of any Chopin work.

This CD contains truly some of Chopin's best works (the Ballades and the Scherzi) played by Rubinstein at his career height. Listen for the "Rubinsteinian pulse" as he takes you through the magnificant Ballade Nr.1, with its herald-like introduction, a menacing first theme, a warmer and more intimiate second theme and the fantasia-like episode that begins lightheartedly and then wells up into a dramtic ending. This is definitely Chopin at its best, and Rubinstein's performance will leave you breathless.

All four ballades are played brilliantly, with a very romantic articulation (but nevertheless sharp), and filled with a great range of emotions. The scherzi are no joke (though the name implies joke). The first one is frenzied, the second one heoric, the third brooding and the fourth lighthearted and warm. However, I could recommand a better recording of the 1st scherzi by Horowitz (RCA Artist of the Century: Horowitz the Indispensable). Rubinstein creates a dreamy-like mood while Horowitz maintains a sharp, clear sound. This is totally up to the listener's perferences, just that I like the crisp sound better.

All in all, should you buy this CD then? Of course. This is possibily Rubinstein at its best playing Chopin at its best. Buy this CD to introduce yourself to Rubinstein's genius or to reaffrim the idea.