Czech Grand Master Radoslav Kvapil who made his name bringing to the Western World the vast wealth of Czech piano works from Vorisek and Dussek through to Dvorak and Janacek, here presents recent studio recordings of this cornerstone of the piano repertoire. He brings a unique insight from a lifeti me of performing.

SCHUMANN: KINDERSZENEN BRAHM

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 48: Chopin: Polonaises

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 26

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 16: Chopin: 24 Preludes, Berceus

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. 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.

ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN - THE LAST R

The master was in a rare mood, a mood of Olympian insights and penetrating eloquence...if he had intended this for a last will and testament, it could hardly have been more to his liking or more secure insurance for such immortality as any performer is allowed.

– Albert Goldberg, The Times, about the benefit concert for Israel at Ambassador Auditorium in January, 1975.


The CD is maddeningly uneven. There are some very imposing moments in the Beethoven sonata, but Rubinstein's technical limitations prevent me from enjoying the performance much. On the other hand, the Schumann pieces are considerably better, and Traumeswirren goes very quickly with reasonable accuracy. Maybe he just practiced this music more, or he took a while to warm up.

Many pianophiles will be picking up this disc just to hear Rubinstein play two Chopin Études, the only genre of Chopin's music he never recorded. Both of these performances are fine, and the facility required by the Étude in Co Minor is met very well, especially for an octogenarian. However, the Polonaise is a hash, and shows Rubinstein apparently willing to dispense with accuracy in the pursuit of grand effect. The audience falls for it in a big way but I didn't. The Debussy pieces are very well controlled, and the excellent recorded sound does the pianist's color justice.

In short, this is a very mixed bag, and it is recommended only with severe reservations. But if you'd be willing to pay almost anything to hear Rubinstein play a Chopin Étude, here he is playing two of them.

-- Leslie Gerber, FANFARE [5/1993]
reviewing an abridged version of this release, RCA 61160

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 69

CHOPIN: PIANO CONCERTOS NAKAM

"Rubinstein's readings of the two finest Sonatas are unsurpassed, with a poetic impulse that springs directly from the music and a control of rubato to bring many moments of magic... [T]he addition of the Barcarolle and Berceuse make this reissue all the more desirable." -- The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs & DVDs [2003/4 edition]

2018 release from the French classical pianist.

This CD is currently available as RCA Gold Seal 61414.

CHOPIN: SONATA, MAZURKAS, ETC

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 50: Chopin: 51 Mazurkas