WGBH Radio WGBH Radio theclassicalstation.org

Classic Library - Chopin: Waltzes, Impromptus / Rubinstein


Release Date: 04/20/2004 
Label:  Rca Victor Red Seal Catalog #: 59422   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 10 Mins. 

In Stock: Usually ships in 24 hours.  

Notes and Editorial Reviews

Artur Rubinstein. RCA RCD1-7156 [Ballades, with Scherzos]; 5613-2-RC [19 Nocturnes; 2 CDs]; 5614-2-RC [51 Mazurkas; 2CDs]; 5615-2 [7 Polonaises]; RCD1-5492 [14 Waltzes]

If there is one sure bet in the music of Chopin, it is Artur Rubinstein. His recordings of the composer’s music can be recommended without hesitation for their warmth, lyricism, and expressive point. Never over-interpreted, the music emerges with spontaneity and freshness in his accounts, always alive, always delightful and surprising. His fiery renditions of the Ballades and Polonaises combine drama and poetry in brilliant fashion, while his readings of the Nocturnes, Mazurkas, and Waltzes are notable for their Mediterranean color and unerring sense of mood. Read more The sound of the 1960s stereo recordings for RCA may occasionally lack depth and seem slightly veiled, but it holds up well enough to convey unmistakably the tone and the touch that made Rubinstein one of the greatest pianists of all time. – Ted Libbey, author of The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection. Read less

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 
2.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 34: no 1 in A flat major, B 94 "Valse brillante" by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1835; Paris, France 
3.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 34: no 2 in A minor, B 64 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1831; Poland 
4.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 34: no 3 in F major, B 118 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1838; Paris, France 
5.
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 
6.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, B 164/Op. 64: no 1 in D flat major "Minute Waltz" by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1846-1847; Paris, France 
7.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, B 164/Op. 64: no 2 in C sharp minor by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1846-1847; Paris, France 
8.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, B 164/Op. 64: no 3 in A flat major by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1846-1847; Paris, France 
9.
Waltzes (2) for Piano, Op. 69: no 1 in A flat major, B 95 "L'adieu" by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1835; Paris, France 
10.
Waltzes (2) for Piano, Op. 69: no 2 in B minor, B 35 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1829; Poland 
11.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 70: no 1 in G flat major, B 92 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1833; Paris, France 
12.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 70: no 2 in F minor, B 138 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1841; Paris, France 
13.
Waltzes (3) for Piano, Op. 70: no 3 in D flat major, B 40 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1829; Poland 
14.
Waltz for Piano in E minor, B 56 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:  Artur Rubinstein (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1830; Poland 
15.
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 
16.
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 
17.
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 
18.
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 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 2 Customer Reviews )
 Hats off gentlemen: a genius. April 3, 2012 By r. keeler (grand rapids, MI) See All My Reviews "That's how Robert Schumann described Chopin. Same goes for Rubenstein's performances here. Also describes the Arkiv business model - where else would we find the good stuff?" Report Abuse
 Definitive Chopin from Rubinstein December 16, 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 surprise. 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 freer in tempo and phrasing. Which way is the "right" way? Comparing both recordings demonstrates that there are many equally 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 sound is immediate without sacrificing warmth, but a bit brighter than in a previous issue, which also included Chopin's Bolero. Highly recommended." Report Abuse
Review This Title
Review This Title Share on Facebook