Notes and Editorial Reviews
Arthur Rubinstein's 1963 recording of Chopin waltzes (he included the "traditional" 14 but not the five posthumous ones) is the stereo reference version for these works, and it's likely to remain so for a long time. The performances embody the quintessential Rubinstein in his Indian-summer glory: directness, red-blooded tone, joie de vivre, impeccable taste, and more technique than he often was given credit for. True, his mono cycle of the Waltzes offers quicker tempos and fanciful phrasing at times, but the stereo remakes are more centered, thoughtful, and cleanly played. Rubinstein's liberal caesuras and luftpauses in the Impromptus (nowhere close, however, to Arrau's rhetorical extremes) underscore the composer's bel canto
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affinity and stand in contrast to the feathery fleetness that distinguishes his earlier mono traversals and Earl Wild's aforementioned Ivory Classics reference version. Rubinstein's stereo Waltzes and Impromptus previously appeared on Volume 47 of RCA's Complete Rubinstein Edition, along with the pianist's only recording of Chopin's rarely-played Bolero. This reissue excludes the Bolero yet offers ever-so-slightly brighter transfers of the Waltzes and Impromptus. If you're looking for the Chopin Waltzes, this is it. [5/14/2004]
--Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com [reviewing RCA 59422]
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Works on This Recording
1.
Waltz for Piano in E flat major, B 62/Op. 18 "Grande valse brillante" by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1831; Poland
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 5 Minutes 25 Secs.
2.
Waltz for Piano in A flat major, B 131/Op. 42 "Grande Valse" by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: France; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 3 Minutes 46 Secs.
3.
Waltz for Piano in E minor, B 56 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; Poland
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 3 Minutes 5 Secs.
4.
Impromptu for Piano no 1 in A flat major, B 110/Op. 29 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 03/23/1964
Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Length: 4 Minutes 7 Secs.
5.
Impromptu for Piano no 2 in F sharp major, B 129/Op. 36 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1839; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 03/23/1964
Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Length: 5 Minutes 53 Secs.
6.
Impromptu for Piano no 3 in G flat major, b 149/Op. 51 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1842; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 03/24/1964
Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Length: 4 Minutes 42 Secs.
7.
Impromptu for Piano no 4 in C sharp minor, B 87/Op. 66 "Fantaisie-Impromptu" by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1835; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 03/25/1964
Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York City
Length: 5 Minutes 6 Secs.
8.
Bolero for Piano in C major/A major, B 81/Op. 19 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1833; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 11/27/1962
Venue: Manhattan Center, New York City
Length: 8 Minutes 24 Secs.
9.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 34 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1831-1838
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 12 Minutes 39 Secs.
10.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, B 164/Op. 64 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1846-1847; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 8 Minutes 51 Secs.
11.
Waltzes (2) for Piano, Op. 69 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829-1835
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 5 Minutes 40 Secs.
12.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 70 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829-1841
Date of Recording: 06/25/1963
Venue: RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy
Length: 8 Minutes 5 Secs.
Sound Samples
Waltz No. 1, Op. 18, Grande valse brillante, in E-flat
No. 1, Valse brillante, in A-flat
No. 2, Valse brillante, in A Minor
No. 3, Valse brillante, in F
Waltz No. 5, Op. 42, Two-four, in E-flat
No. 1, L'Adieu, in A-flat
Waltz No. 14, Op. posth. in E Minor
Impromptu No. 1, Op. 29 in A-flat
Impromptu No. 2, Op. 36 in F-sharp
Impromptu No. 3, Op. 51 in G-Flat
Fantasie-impromptu in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66 No. 4
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 2 Customer Reviews )
Moved Me to Tears June 15, 2012
By Judith R. (Bronxville, NY) See All My Reviews
"Rubinstein was a childhood hero of mine. It's almost impossible to find these vintage recordings of his in brick-and-mortar stores. I'm grateful that ArkivMusic offers them. There'll never be another Rubinstein!"
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Classic Chopin from Rubinstein December 22, 2011
By T. Drake (South Euclid, OH) See All My Reviews
"This stereo version of the Waltzes was recorded over the course of a single night in 1963, at RCA's Italiana Studios in Rome. For those accustomed to thinking of Arthur Rubinstein as a "Romantic" pianist, this edition of the Chopin Waltzes will come as a shock. The pianist plays the Waltzes straight, with very little rubato and at moderate tempos. This is in marked contrast to his 1953 mono set, which was markedly freer in tempo and phrasing. Which was is the "right" way? Comparing both recordings demonstrates that there are many equzlly valid ways to interpret this music. Rubinstein recorded the Impromptus several times over the course of his long career--this is his only complete version in stereo. He plays the posthumously published Fantasie-Impromptu (which Chopin, ironically, wanted destroyed after his death) from a previously unknown manuscript, which differs in numerous details from more well known versions. The Bolero, one of Chopin's least known works, is an effective encore. The sound is immediate without sacrificing warmth. Highly recommended."
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