Naxos
Rubinstein: Piano Music / Joseph Banowetz
$19.99
Only 3 left
Details
- Composer
- RUBINSTEIN, ANTON
- Artist
- Joseph Banowetz
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Naxos
- Released
- May 25, 2010
- Catalog #
- 8570941
- UPC
- 747313094172
About
A. RUBINSTEIN Theme and Variations, op. 88. Akrostichon No. 2, op. 114 • Joseph Banowetz (pn) • NAXOS 8.570941 (73:44)
Joseph Banowetz might easily be thought of as an Anton Rubinstein specialist. He has, after all, recorded all of Rubinstein’s works for piano and orchestra for Naxos’s sister label, Marco Polo, plus four other discs of Rubinstein’s solo piano music. This is a worthy task, for while there is a grand total of some 50 recordings of Rubinstein’s famous Melody in F, very few other works recorded make even two different versions. The sheer dedication of Banowetz is remarkable, and his fine reading of these two works (both world premiere recordings) implies strongly that it is time for a reappraisal of Anton Rubinstein (1829–94). Banowetz is a pianist of some strength—clearly, he is no shrinking violet, anyway, and this robust approach coupled with exemplary finger clarity lends itself superbly to this repertoire.
The Theme and Variations, op. 88, dates from 1871 and lasts some 47 minutes in this performance. It is therefore a major work, and Banowetz certainly treats it as such. His respect for Rubinstein’s talent is evident in every measure he plays. The music itself might well come as something of a revelation, for the invention flows confidently and appealingly from Rubinstein’s pen. Moments of mystery are honored (try the recitative-like ruminations of the fifth variation). Most importantly, Banowetz provides just the right amount of fantasy. The range of the variations is wide, moving from Schumannesque innigkeit (variation 7) to Handelian grandeur viewed through a decidedly romantic telescope (the very next variation). The climax is formed by the 12th and final variation, lasting some 10 minutes. Banowetz whips the music up to a fulfilling, summatory statement. The recording is a trifle shallow and dry, perhaps, but the ear adjusts quickly.
The Akrostichon , op. 2, of 1890, stands in stark contrast. A set of five salon pieces (which together add up in duration to around 27 minutes), the op. 2 counterbalances the Theme and Variations perfectly. There is a spring-like freshness to the second (Allegretto) that is most appealing. All five pieces make for compelling listening, not least the individual, evocative solo lines of the fourth piece (Adagio).
This constitutes Volume 1 of what is presumably intended to be a complete edition of Rubinstein’s piano works, and I note that ArkivMusic is already listing (and highlighting, at the time of writing) Volume 2 (which contains Akrostichon No. 1; Two Pieces, op. 26; Souvenir de Dresde , op. 118; Two Melodies, op. 3; and the Sérénade russe in B Minor). I hope to hear the next installment in due course; in the meantime, Volume 1 provides ample cause for celebration.
FANFARE: Colin Clarke
Tracklist 18 tracks
-
1 Theme: Lento 02:40
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Theme: Lento
- Duration
- 02:40
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
2 Variation 1: Allegro 01:51
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Variation 1: Allegro
- Duration
- 01:51
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
3 Variation 2: Andante con moto 02:50
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Variation 2: Andante con moto
- Duration
- 02:50
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
4 Variation 3: Tempo di marcia 03:28
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Variation 3: Tempo di marcia
- Duration
- 03:28
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
5 Variation 4: Andante con moto 02:51
- Track
- 5
- Title
- Variation 4: Andante con moto
- Duration
- 02:51
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
6 Variation 5: Moderato assai - Allegro 02:53
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Variation 5: Moderato assai - Allegro
- Duration
- 02:53
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
7 Variation 6: Vivace 02:19
- Track
- 7
- Title
- Variation 6: Vivace
- Duration
- 02:19
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
8 Variation 7: Moderato assai 02:49
- Track
- 8
- Title
- Variation 7: Moderato assai
- Duration
- 02:49
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
9 Variation 8: Moderato con moto 05:09
- Track
- 9
- Title
- Variation 8: Moderato con moto
- Duration
- 05:09
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
10 Variation 9: Moderato 04:27
- Track
- 10
- Title
- Variation 9: Moderato
- Duration
- 04:27
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
11 Variation 10: Con moto 03:01
- Track
- 11
- Title
- Variation 10: Con moto
- Duration
- 03:01
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
12 Variation 11: Allegro 02:26
- Track
- 12
- Title
- Variation 11: Allegro
- Duration
- 02:26
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
13 Variation 12: Allegro moderato 10:16
- Track
- 13
- Title
- Variation 12: Allegro moderato
- Duration
- 10:16
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
14 No. 1. Andante con moto 06:22
- Track
- 14
- Title
- No. 1. Andante con moto
- Duration
- 06:22
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
15 No. 2. Allegretto 04:31
- Track
- 15
- Title
- No. 2. Allegretto
- Duration
- 04:31
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
16 No. 3. Tempo di mazurka 05:57
- Track
- 16
- Title
- No. 3. Tempo di mazurka
- Duration
- 05:57
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
17 No. 4. Adagio 04:14
- Track
- 17
- Title
- No. 4. Adagio
- Duration
- 04:14
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz
-
18 No. 5. Allegro non troppo 05:40
- Track
- 18
- Title
- No. 5. Allegro non troppo
- Duration
- 05:40
- Composer
- Anton Rubinstein
- Performer
- Joseph Banowetz