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 affinity and
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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 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
Sound Samples
Waltz, Op. 18, Grande valse brillante, in E-Flat
Waltz, Op. 34 No. 1, Valse brillante, in A-Flat (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 34 No. 2, Valse brillante, in A Minor (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 34 No. 3, Valse brillante, in F (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 42, Two-four, in A-Flat (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 64 No. 1, Minute, in D-Flat (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 64 No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 64 No. 3 in A-Flat
Waltz, Op. 69 No. 1, L'Adieu, in A-Flat (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 69 No. 2 in B Minor (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 70 No. 1 in G-Flat (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 70 No. 2 in F Minor (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. 70 No. 3 in D-Flat (2004 Remastered)
Waltz, Op. Posth. in E Minor (2004 Remastered)
Impromptu, Op. 29 in A-Flat
Impromptu, Op. 36 in F-Sharp
Impromptu, Op. 51 in G-Flat
Impromptu, Op. 66, Fantaisie-Impromptu, in C-Sharp Minor
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?"
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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."
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