ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN

 

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 “Appassionata”

Brahms: Intermezzo No. 2 Op. 117

Schumann: Carnaval

Chopin: Ballade No. 1, Etude No. 5

Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodie No. 12

Villa-Lobos: A prole do bebe

 

Artur Rubinstein - piano

 

Recording: Nijmegen, The Netherlands, 20 April 1963

MONO

 

This recital by Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) given in Nijmegen close to the Dutch border with Germany in 1963 can be considered an event of historical importance.  Because of the pianist's refusal to play in Germany following the War, Rubinstein decided to give a concert as close to the border as feasible, which not surprisingly attracted a great deal of press attention at the time and because it was attended by many German music lovers who travelled from all over the Germany to see him.

 

The recording made by the WDR in Cologne has never been available before either as a pirate or commercially. This is it's first ever release.

 

The programme is a distillation from the full recital lasting over 90 minutes and has been overseen by the Rubinstein family.

 

The titles are familiar to any Rubinstein collector but are given added vibrancy and presence by the excitement of the event caught live in excellent sound. This is far removed from the sometimes more careful Rubinstein of the recording studio.

 

Reviews on Rubinstein on BBC Legends:

Arthur Rubinstein never failed to please. And so it is with these superb performances of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 and Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2, recorded in the 50s and 60s in the Royal Festival Hall. Well worthwhile. (Gavin Engelbrecht, The Northern Echo) – BBCL42162

 

“Throughout this well-filled CD, we hear pianism of the highest order from an artist whose lasting fame is richly deserved. All true lovers of the piano, and of these composers, should acquire this disc at the earliest opportunity.(International Record Review) – BBCL41302

 

Medici Masters MM0292