Anyone who believes Rubinstein had a "mediocre" technique is an idiot. Watch and LISTEN to the many videos of his playing and then tell me he had trouble getting around on the keyboard.
Compare this performance with his Moscow performance on Youtube----honestly, this Rach is possibly the closest that you will ever come to seeing the great Arthur Rubinstein TOTALLY STRESSED-OUT!! Look how he grabs his coat, in agitation, at 1:26 and 2:13!! In contrast, every one of the Moscow performances are controlled and deliberate, even the most difficult---the look of a true virtuoso enjoying himself. In the Rach, he looks like he can't wait for it to end!! (At least, that's my take.)
@CLASSICALFAN100 The grabbing of the coat was a life long jester that Rubinstein used often. I think it was showing he really meant business I hardly think he was the least bit stressed out playing this familiar piece he had done many times. I actually had the privilege of hearing him play this in person in St. Louis in the early sixties and meeting him back stage. He was one of the music worlds greatest showman.
Eh yes, so you are contradicting yourself with the statement of "forced product of communism" regarding Gilels because as i mentioned before Russia had been the Great Communistic country back then.
Get your argument straight before shooting around.
@TheCourtwick He’s more the product of our modern, cartoonish concept of popular artistry—if one can even use that word in this context—than the socioeconomic system in place in the country of his birth.
Rubinstein was famous for his Rach Variations. A CD of him performing this work with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in stereo is one of the very 1st ever made -even so the recording is excellent, recorded 1956 -he was a youngster aged in his 70s. To him this was a new modern work of Rachmaninoff's (written in 1943). ?The CD is still regarded as one of the great performances after all these years -there are thousands of recording of this work. R was a friend of Rachmaninoff..
Absolutely delightful. It is one thing to hear the music, but quite another dimension is added when you get to see how it is performed. This is a wonderful clip, wonderful piece of music, and a wonderful performance.
Boring, uninteresting. Rubinstein just sounds too satisfied with life. There's no edge to his playing. And, furthermore, he was lazy and didn't like to practice.
This was a pitiful performance by a highly gifted genius.
@50shina You got to be kidding me. No edge? This performance is like a whip crack. Tremendous tempo, except for 1 small slip fantastic accuracy...live and at 70 years of age. What disappoints you? That he doesn't make ape faces or jump around on the bench like some of the idiots out there now? Take the wax out of your ears and listen before you make silly comments.
@fisarmonicista Lang is not a pianist, he is merely a caricacature of one. Rubinstein was an artist and a master, his recordings are simply not my cup of tea.
No, my favorite pianists are Richter, Horowitz and Hoffmann (live Hoffmann, not the studio one). I truly love all the great masters...Cortot, Busoni, Michaelangeli, Berman, Lupu, Gould, Gilels.
Again, Mr. Lang is not a pianist but a caricacature of one.
@50shina "live Hoffmann" would be wondeful for me to! But I am not old enough to have seen Hoffmann live.
The "studio Hoffman" is almost nonexistant (Ok, a few exists. But they are showing a troubled alcoholic making recordings way past his prime.)
Michalangeli is truly boring, Cortot is on drugs way to often. Richter was insensitive and a "troublemaker". Gould was having psychiatric problems. Gilels was really great (at least you got one right). LANG IS A GENIOUS! Sorry to make u dissapointed.
Oh my God that is nuuuutzz!! So amazing, and so crazy, I cant believe how fast his fingers go and still keep it rhythmically musical. Such an incredible interpretation, so energetic and explosive! Arthur Rubinstein, you are my hero.
Yes, professional piano players can move their fingers quite quickly - "oh my god, his finger move" screams the American thinking that has anything to do with musicality.
Seal yourself with holy spirit! Be holy, Root out your eyes for causing you to watch violence and pornography, cut away your sexual organs that lead you to adultery, sodomy, fornication, masturbation etc. Drink muriatic acid for smoking, abusing alcohol and drugs. Slit your throat for bowing to idols such as flag and crucifix. Do not attend church meetings, end Christendoom, restore Christian unity [Christianity], no church, no division!
Rewind to about 1:15 and watch for his shoulder movements at apprx. 122 and then again (when he straightens his jacket) at about 125. He was just so relaxed when he was performing Rachmaninoff. And again at 2:12. He was probably not even aware that he did that, the music was such a part of him.
@Tolstoy111 small correction.. barely matters... but it is spelled Dies Irae. And I love hearing it every single time, it is one of the all time coolest sounding themes.
En la última visita del Maestro a Buenos Aires,en 1951,pude escucharlo desde una silla en el escenario del Colón,de las 300 colocadas,debido a la demanda de entradas.Ver y escuchar a Rubinstein,desde un metro de distancia,es una experiencia que no olvidaré nunca.Stravinsky,Schumann,Albéniiz,López Buchardo,Chopin,fueron regalos o mejor dicho la palabra de Dios,a través de un genio.Que decanse en paz!
It's this. Paganini was a Italian violinist if I am correct. And Paganini was very famous at his time composing many works with the violin solo or the whole orchestra.
Well then Rachmaninov took Paganini's music and said it will be on the "THEME" of his music , I understand you music know what a theme is right? Well then he added the piano and made this wonderful Rhapsody.
Just like Liszt took Paganini's La companella and turned it into a piano piece.
probably the most difficult place to play on the piano and he plays it so well! If you can play Rach's 3rd concerto to the tee with an orchestra, you're a master.
The conductor, Alfred Wallenstein, was with the L.A. Philaharmonic at the time this was produced, and it's likely that many of the members of that orchestra were also in the orchestra here.
hmmmmmmm i would give myselfe abooooooooout fifety years of nonestop practice and 24/7 dedication to be able to play two bars, on a keyboard, with only the first octic as its range, and even then i would probably mess up the whole lot of it
I have to disagree with you :) Rubinstein is not "the king" he is the highest spirit of classical music! Would you by any chance know how I could get a hold of this DVD?
BRAVO! Rubenstein was definitely one of the greatest pianists. Incidentally, I saw him several times on television when I was young, and he was more animated in this clip than I ever noticed. He was really enjoying himself. Bless his heart.
Rubinstein was the first to admit that his pianism is somewhat imperfect compared to some of the younger stars, such as Horowitz, Gilels, Richter and Michelangeli. sure he was a wonderful player, but many went further than him in several departments
Mmmh. Might be. However, what does "perfect panism" stand for? I personaly do not have any definition for it. Rubinstein might have been faulty technically speaking, or below some other at some tme. I however do not believe it hast cut out his understanding of the score, which is more important than technical perfection in my feeling. If you listen to other great interprets, such as Richter at the end of his carreer, mistakes are there.
what does "perfect panism" stand for is beyond me, especially seeing you coined this stupid phrase, not me. nor do I understand why people insist on reducing technique to hitting the right notes when it's so painfully obvious there is so much more here at stake... Richter NEVER was a note-perfect pianist, not even in his younger years, nor were Horowitz and Gilels; but in terms of virtuoso freedom, precision and, most importantly, quality of sound these performers far outshine Rubinstein
it is interesting that you should use the phrase "understanding of the score" because, this choice of diction leads one rather to the intellectual strain in 20th century pianism, marked by names such as Gieseking, Arrau, Richter, Michelangeli, Gould. It is true that Rubinstein's style has undergone a number of changes in the course of his long and illustrious career, maturing greatly and moving towards a greater degree of objectivity etc.
but at the end of the day his his true forte lies in his natural grace and charm, rather than in the profound interpretative insight one associates with an Arrau or a Yudina, or the kind of musicological research undertaken by Brendel
I agree with your assessment.all the same,I would suggest that you try to listen to recordings that R. played live in Poland and the USSR,where he felt appreciative audiences,unlike the US,and
(unfortunately for me)Israel,where he never took payment for his playing.
Incorrect! Actually I can play the piano 'reasonably well', but of course nowhere near to this standard. But that is not the point. I don't think there is any rule on Youtube that you can't make a critiscism. I can't play soccer as well as Pele, but I know the game well enough to see if he makes a mistake. (Rubinstein is absolute legend and I have spent many hours listening to his interpretations).
It sounds like it to me. But please understand that I have spent many hours enjoying his marvellous playing and of course I can't play to anywhere near this standard.
[Cont.] I was fortunate to have heard live several of the older virtuosos and the generation following them including Rubenstein, Horowitz, Serkin, Alfred Brendel, Emil Gilels, Claudio Arrau, Jorge Bolet, Sviatoslav Richter, Alexis Weissenberg, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and others. I saw Rubenstein at age 90. He was blind and had to be led to the piano. Even then, he was a warm and captivating performer, playing a large program of Beethoven (Appassionata), Schubert, Schumann, and of course Chopin.
Following up on my comment below: pianists before the 50s knew that there was no permanent record of their concerts. This liberated them to take chances. They played bigger than life and projected to the farthest audience member. When the camera is introduced to this a few feet from the piano, the performance seems exaggerated. It's like standing 5 feet in front of an opera singer - you're going to get spit on and it may not smell so great. Rubenstein was a great pianist with a wonderful tone.
I think it makes sense to listen to and enjoy these last pianists of the great romantic tradition of playing in the context of their time. They were primarily concert pianists rather than recording artists. Interpreters and entertainers. Rubenstein in particular played to the average listener, emphasizing and shaping the melodies and bringing out important elements. If a passage doesn't fit your technique, change the passage. He is often criticized by "scholars", but beloved by audiences.
Artur Rubinstein gave 4* solo piano recitals in the Sydney Town Hall in 1970s*. *I think. I went to them all. Major Chopin works, some Beethoven and Brahms and, of course, the Falla "Ritual Fire Dance" with the hands rising one metre! The concerts were not managed by the ABC. The piano he played on was, unfortunately, not first rate. I particularly remember his calmness and relaxation and pleasantness afterwards in the artist's room. The very large hall was always packed to the rafters.
This playing is so typical of the dry and objective,unromantic,unlyrical,uninteresting playing that Rubinstein gave after he gave in to the catterwalling of critics in the 20s and retired from stage...only to emerge several years later...A REFORMED TRADITIONAL-
Only someone who has absolutely no valid knowledge of music(not the history of certain musicians you wish to slant as much as possible,you know who I mean)would be unable to read the emotion in this playing.Just because he doesn't throw off the rhythm or alter the work dynamically to his leisure. He remains loyal to the score and in that finds the emotion of the music.And THAT is what true brilliance is,being able to accurately represent the composer's intention,and he achieves that brilliantly.
I believe that Alfred Wallenstein was the conductor.
Rubinstein, who was 68 when this was recorded, was a bigger fan of Rachmaninoff's pianistic skills than of his compositions. He only recorded three Rachmaninoff works for RCA: this work, the famous Prelude in C# minor,and the Concerto number 2.
It is obvious that Rubinstein played this as Rach would have, as he certainly did with the Rach-2. Rubinstein would have heard Rach play and played the way the composer wished.
Wonderful, exciting, beautiful music played exactly as my ear wishes to hear it.
We don't have to guess how Rachmaninoff would have played it -- there's a recording of the great man playing this piece! And it's pretty fabulous.
I agree that this is wonderful playing. Saying that Rubinstein was an amazing pianist is not a deep insight. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anyone remotely like him today. A different era, though there are certainly some great ones now -- Schiff, Perahia, Sokolov, Pollini (sometimes), Argerich, Kissin, etc.
For me, I don't think he comes close to ranking with the current pianists I mentioned and others that I didn't (Emanuel Ax comes to mind, as does Garrick Ohlsson). While he has great facility, I find a lot of his playing exaggerated and/or tasteless. Perhaps he'll become a real artist as he ages, but I don't think he's there now. If you want to hear fine playing from a young pianist, I recommend listening to Jonathan Biss. Again, my opinion.
then again, he was very cerebral, and it takes a deep profound, mature taste to truly appreciate his depth of tone, musical maturity, accuracy, and musicality.
some people prefer that type of exaggerated piano playing, looking all around, lang-lang ish, some prefer the cerebral, musical, technical way, so if you heard it, you could get the piece.
My opinion though.
He's cerebral and highly developed. None today compare really.
Actually, Rubinstein was an instinctive pianist, not given to the kind of deep analysis that characterizes the work of an Alfred Brendel or a Maurizio Pollini. And he didn't always faithfully follow the score (e.g., the end of the Schumann Fantasy, where he does things contrary to the Clara Schumann edition). Having said that, his instincts were fabulous, and when he took liberties with the score, the results were almost invariably beautiful.
Rubinstein was a very calculated pianisit, and so calculated that he calculated sponteneity so that when he did something, it seemed spontaneous, but was always thought out thoroughly
I wasn't talking about spontaneity. I was talking about the kind of deep structural analysis that a Pollini does, as opposed to a more instinctive approach to deciding how to play a piece. Either way, major decisions are made in advance -- the distinction is in the process by which they are arrived at.
But there *was* real spontaneity in his playing. He talked many times about connecting with an audience member and playing for that person. That didn't change the major decisions, though.
They knew each other, AR account of his first meeting with Rach in "My Many Years" is quite fuuny. Also he had dinner with Rach, Stravinsky, and their wives . Rach and Strav hated each others music, during the dinner AR and the ladies were sure there was going to be a big blowup, but the two composers spent the evening counting up the money they lost during the Russian Revolution.
And the crowd goes wild!!!!!!!!!!!!
jacobflaschen 3 weeks ago
Anyone who believes Rubinstein had a "mediocre" technique is an idiot. Watch and LISTEN to the many videos of his playing and then tell me he had trouble getting around on the keyboard.
TheHankster30 4 weeks ago
so glad the top comments aren't "Asian dad - Now play it backwards!"
Ugh..
Artguychoz 1 month ago
VERY NICE AND EXCITING!!!
ywymum 3 months ago
Genius.
coryisawake 4 months ago
gäfehlt mir :)
princegarbsen 5 months ago
And yet somehow no one ever mentions Rubinstein's octaves...
LordCalvinHastings 1 year ago
@LordCalvinHastings Rubinstein himself confessed that he had a mediocre technique...
satyu131089 2 months ago
Compare this performance with his Moscow performance on Youtube----honestly, this Rach is possibly the closest that you will ever come to seeing the great Arthur Rubinstein TOTALLY STRESSED-OUT!! Look how he grabs his coat, in agitation, at 1:26 and 2:13!! In contrast, every one of the Moscow performances are controlled and deliberate, even the most difficult---the look of a true virtuoso enjoying himself. In the Rach, he looks like he can't wait for it to end!! (At least, that's my take.)
CLASSICALFAN100 1 year ago
@CLASSICALFAN100 The grabbing of the coat was a life long jester that Rubinstein used often. I think it was showing he really meant business I hardly think he was the least bit stressed out playing this familiar piece he had done many times. I actually had the privilege of hearing him play this in person in St. Louis in the early sixties and meeting him back stage. He was one of the music worlds greatest showman.
dagg67 1 month ago
@dagg67
True, true...I spoke too soon. "My bad."
CLASSICALFAN100 1 month ago
El abuelo si sabe pa que es que tiene esos dedos!!!
afroeroticus 1 year ago 2
Itachi GT: Lang lang was born in 1982 in a communist state.
TheCourtwick 1 year ago
@TheCourtwick
Eh yes, so you are contradicting yourself with the statement of "forced product of communism" regarding Gilels because as i mentioned before Russia had been the Great Communistic country back then.
Get your argument straight before shooting around.
ItachiGT 1 year ago
Lang Lang cannot be compared to Rubinstein, Gilels and the great early european pianists. He is a forced product of communism.
TheCourtwick 1 year ago 4
@TheCourtwick
Are you dumb?
It seems so.
You need to take some history lessons then to learn that Russia had been the Communist state back then.
ItachiGT 1 year ago
@ItachiGT Way to understand the entire point he's making.
BrokenPiecesOfHeart 1 year ago
@TheCourtwick He’s more the product of our modern, cartoonish concept of popular artistry—if one can even use that word in this context—than the socioeconomic system in place in the country of his birth.
Malodorok 8 months ago
inspirational
MrsNamoo2 1 year ago
When was this recorded?
SteinwayMan13 1 year ago
@SteinwayMan13 1956
Loismustdie26 1 year ago
@pianoman654.. what?? i hope you ment 20th..
filopaa1990 1 year ago
Rubinstein was famous for his Rach Variations. A CD of him performing this work with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in stereo is one of the very 1st ever made -even so the recording is excellent, recorded 1956 -he was a youngster aged in his 70s. To him this was a new modern work of Rachmaninoff's (written in 1943). ?The CD is still regarded as one of the great performances after all these years -there are thousands of recording of this work. R was a friend of Rachmaninoff..
frogmanpiano 1 year ago
Great!!
associazionesarro 1 year ago
@pianoman654, lol, you mean 20th century! hahaha.
angryjalapeno 1 year ago
Absolutely delightful. It is one thing to hear the music, but quite another dimension is added when you get to see how it is performed. This is a wonderful clip, wonderful piece of music, and a wonderful performance.
KPO6859 1 year ago
grazie dio
frapepsi 1 year ago
3:24 . wow he had the wrong notes there. its kinda killing the end i think
markhallansen 1 year ago
Boring, uninteresting. Rubinstein just sounds too satisfied with life. There's no edge to his playing. And, furthermore, he was lazy and didn't like to practice.
This was a pitiful performance by a highly gifted genius.
50shina 1 year ago
@50shina
Boring? Uninteresting? No edge? Do tell! What parts of this performance are you referring to specifically?
Mmooose 1 year ago
@50shina Just fuck you dude
zionist123 1 year ago
@zionist123 Those who cannot debate, defame.
Kahane Tzadik!
The fact of the matter is that Rubinstein was a dispassionate musician, a bore. He had too many girlfriends and didn't practice enough.
Zionist123, how do you feel about Dr. Baruch Goldstein zecher tzadik livracha?
mishima1974 1 year ago
@50shina You got to be kidding me. No edge? This performance is like a whip crack. Tremendous tempo, except for 1 small slip fantastic accuracy...live and at 70 years of age. What disappoints you? That he doesn't make ape faces or jump around on the bench like some of the idiots out there now? Take the wax out of your ears and listen before you make silly comments.
gtimny 1 year ago 3
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@gtimny 50shina is correct. This piece is like a whip crack, the performance is not. Rubinstein was too satisfied with life.
The fact of the matter is that Rubinstein was a dispassionate musician, a bore. He had too many girlfriends and didn't practice enough.
mishima1974 1 year ago
@50shina Let me guess, Lang is your favorite pianist.
fisarmonicista 1 year ago
@fisarmonicista Lang is not a pianist, he is merely a caricacature of one. Rubinstein was an artist and a master, his recordings are simply not my cup of tea.
No, my favorite pianists are Richter, Horowitz and Hoffmann (live Hoffmann, not the studio one). I truly love all the great masters...Cortot, Busoni, Michaelangeli, Berman, Lupu, Gould, Gilels.
Again, Mr. Lang is not a pianist but a caricacature of one.
50shina 1 year ago 5
@50shina Well...If you say so shina. Hope it doesn't disappoint you to hear that I think you are developmentally challenged.
benalbanach 1 year ago
@benalbanach Those who cannot debate, defame.
mishima1974 1 year ago
@50shina "live Hoffmann" would be wondeful for me to! But I am not old enough to have seen Hoffmann live.
The "studio Hoffman" is almost nonexistant (Ok, a few exists. But they are showing a troubled alcoholic making recordings way past his prime.)
Michalangeli is truly boring, Cortot is on drugs way to often. Richter was insensitive and a "troublemaker". Gould was having psychiatric problems. Gilels was really great (at least you got one right). LANG IS A GENIOUS! Sorry to make u dissapointed.
maxhansendk 1 year ago
@maxhansendk There are many live recordings of Hofmann here on Youtube. I suggest that you listen to some of them.
What you say about him is shameful, by the way.
mishima1974 1 year ago
Comment removed
lochenpiano08 1 year ago
@lochenpiano08 I see you took away your comment about me being retarded...
Well, your action "speaks volumes" about your mental state and ability to make an argument...
To make statements that people are "retarded"...And then withdraw the statements, wow! What a class act you must be (lochenpiano08).
My last comment was satire...Look the word up in a dictionary...;-)
maxhansendk 1 year ago
@maxhansendk This gesture is just as 'retarded' as whatever he may have said.
mmoynan 1 year ago
@mmoynan Can you please expand an your "nonsense" comment?
I call it "nonsense" because you bring no argument whatsoever to back up your words. Your comment is "zilch"! !
maxhansendk 1 year ago
nn ci sono parole...grande rubinstein
goldberg72 1 year ago
Never ture if Rubinstein, even tho he's long gone, RIP Maestro. You set the gold standard.
alwaysasteinway 1 year ago
awesome
pianolistenerk 1 year ago
Que caracter! factastico!
Voime09 1 year ago
I second that...and I've seen it...
winkandrun 1 year ago
oh yeah
nauJRodriguez 1 year ago
Stunning!
bigjoe7600 1 year ago
GRANDIOSO
davlak2 1 year ago
BRAVO MAESTRO!!!
vizdi14 1 year ago
i've listened to this piece many times before, but i never really realized how technically demanding it was until i saw this video
crazytrain1889 1 year ago 2
MAESTRO
frapepsi 2 years ago 2
very powerful!
satanswizard2 2 years ago 2
Which variations are in this excerpt?
demosj 2 years ago
Oh my God that is nuuuutzz!! So amazing, and so crazy, I cant believe how fast his fingers go and still keep it rhythmically musical. Such an incredible interpretation, so energetic and explosive! Arthur Rubinstein, you are my hero.
jcryfiak 2 years ago 2
Yes, professional piano players can move their fingers quite quickly - "oh my god, his finger move" screams the American thinking that has anything to do with musicality.
AggiedeLampedusa 2 years ago 2
It's the very last section.
LSA223b 2 years ago
no kidding
sebastian1430 2 years ago
I wish he recorded all the Rachmaninoff concertos....
bikinilover6969 2 years ago 17
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.
CHRISTIANS OF THE WORLD DELIVERANCE IS COMING!
Seal yourself with holy spirit! Be holy, Root out your eyes for causing you to watch violence and pornography, cut away your sexual organs that lead you to adultery, sodomy, fornication, masturbation etc. Drink muriatic acid for smoking, abusing alcohol and drugs. Slit your throat for bowing to idols such as flag and crucifix. Do not attend church meetings, end Christendoom, restore Christian unity [Christianity], no church, no division!
.
conceil8 2 years ago
Pourquoi ne pas créer un spécial YouTube "Rubinstein" ? il n'y aurait que lui,et on saurait ce qu'il faut éviter.
antoinezygfryd 2 years ago 2
it like he is playing it with his eyes closed!
marisolyd 2 years ago
Rewind to about 1:15 and watch for his shoulder movements at apprx. 122 and then again (when he straightens his jacket) at about 125. He was just so relaxed when he was performing Rachmaninoff. And again at 2:12. He was probably not even aware that he did that, the music was such a part of him.
TheCatholicFaithfu 2 years ago
This is awesome :D
AdrianHGrande 2 years ago
So would he, apparently.
D0g63rt 2 years ago
this shit is insane! fastest hands I have seen
elizabethallenpiano 2 years ago 2
Fantastic performance!
dearmalika 2 years ago 21
Comment removed
frankjj1 2 years ago
It sounds like Totentanz around 3:17. What a coincidence.
chenyg1119 2 years ago 3
@chengyg1119:
you mean the Dies Irae? :D
EmerylYun 2 years ago
It's the medieval melody Dias Irae. Rachmaninov used it over and over again.
Tolstoy111 1 year ago
Yeah, you are right, so astounding, I never realized it
chenyg1119 1 year ago
@Tolstoy111 small correction.. barely matters... but it is spelled Dies Irae. And I love hearing it every single time, it is one of the all time coolest sounding themes.
ultramatim13 1 year ago
Comment removed
chenyg1119 2 years ago
DAMNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
1954phialin 2 years ago
If you don`t watch him, just listen to the music, it seems like the great Paganini plays the piano. furiously.
MrsLilic 2 years ago 3
En la última visita del Maestro a Buenos Aires,en 1951,pude escucharlo desde una silla en el escenario del Colón,de las 300 colocadas,debido a la demanda de entradas.Ver y escuchar a Rubinstein,desde un metro de distancia,es una experiencia que no olvidaré nunca.Stravinsky,Schumann,Albéniiz,López Buchardo,Chopin,fueron regalos o mejor dicho la palabra de Dios,a través de un genio.Que decanse en paz!
jorgeliebermann 2 years ago
Rubinstein, maestro
Surmusicp 2 years ago 3
Which part of the rhapsody is this?
winkandrun 2 years ago
this is the rapsody of pagnini
wilker1706 2 years ago
It's this. Paganini was a Italian violinist if I am correct. And Paganini was very famous at his time composing many works with the violin solo or the whole orchestra.
Well then Rachmaninov took Paganini's music and said it will be on the "THEME" of his music , I understand you music know what a theme is right? Well then he added the piano and made this wonderful Rhapsody.
Just like Liszt took Paganini's La companella and turned it into a piano piece.
ClassicMusicOnly 2 years ago
this is not rachmaninoffs 3rd
Skinkehaps 2 years ago
probably the most difficult place to play on the piano and he plays it so well! If you can play Rach's 3rd concerto to the tee with an orchestra, you're a master.
remlore216 2 years ago
I believe you've got the pieces confused. This is the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Haeronthegreat 2 years ago
Non ci sono parole..La più grande esecuzione di questa rapsodia!
Mrlunettina 2 years ago
The conductor, Alfred Wallenstein, was with the L.A. Philaharmonic at the time this was produced, and it's likely that many of the members of that orchestra were also in the orchestra here.
TomBarristerX 2 years ago
incredible.
Thanks for posting.
gmonkey808 2 years ago
what an ending......
huzhongxiaohe 2 years ago
Comment removed
1234wtf1234 2 years ago
Que magestria maestro que bien tcas
ezperma1287 2 years ago
He is totally in control. He has crossed this path many times. Absolutely fantastic.
WashfromCali 2 years ago 5
Men... This is music. Wow A real maestro!
No mistakes, Perfect Playing, Impressive style. Wow, and this is him that said : "Maurizio Pollini has more technique than us [3] together". Ouch !
hailkayy 2 years ago
huge hands
whiplashgirl13 2 years ago
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im in class of music and i hate this shit is vry very very boring
Pacolabola 2 years ago
Oh be quiet.if it's so boring don't listen to it then.
mikejunior80 2 years ago 2
hmmmmmmm i would give myselfe abooooooooout fifety years of nonestop practice and 24/7 dedication to be able to play two bars, on a keyboard, with only the first octic as its range, and even then i would probably mess up the whole lot of it
823265 2 years ago
without notes... jeebuz
SethP666 2 years ago
The King! Not even Rach played his own music this well! I have this entire performance on DVD. Magnificent! Arthur, I still miss you!
Valkyrie91a 2 years ago
I have to disagree with you :) Rubinstein is not "the king" he is the highest spirit of classical music! Would you by any chance know how I could get a hold of this DVD?
Thanks!
nater1978 2 years ago
Long live the king in our hearts :) Poland be proud for ages :)
fmbasmadji 2 years ago 2
This version is so good.
I have Reiner/Chicago and Him, but this is better for me.
Shoshas 2 years ago
Virile!
He played with such masculinity--although I know that may be politically inappropriate in today's world.
Yet a perfect ending of satin.
Some character, some personality, some guy!
ipmoic 2 years ago
I think Daniel Barenboim with Zubin Mehta playing the typically lame Tchaikovsky 1st Concerto is just as exciting as this.
eraffel 2 years ago
the hands of a god
futuramille 2 years ago
No word to say.
KevinR3i 2 years ago 3
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Rubenstein was a wonderful pianist. But when it came to feeling then Horowitz had more of it.
mm077 2 years ago
incredibile
goldberg72 2 years ago
Since when did glissando equal feeling? That is what Horowitz have above everybody else.
aspacguy1 2 years ago
Love robin pienist
nnuii 2 years ago
BRAVO! Rubenstein was definitely one of the greatest pianists. Incidentally, I saw him several times on television when I was young, and he was more animated in this clip than I ever noticed. He was really enjoying himself. Bless his heart.
matavidya 2 years ago 2
no absolutely is quite alien
esmeraldieva 2 years ago
...you want to say the 20th century... the 19th was from 1800 - 1900
alexanderetter 3 years ago 4
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Good. But Horowitz was better!
mm077 3 years ago
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Vladimir Horowitz was a better pianist!
Asunilot 3 years ago
Shit, you dont have idea.
InnerMoon 3 years ago 3
Rubinstein was the first to admit that his pianism is somewhat imperfect compared to some of the younger stars, such as Horowitz, Gilels, Richter and Michelangeli. sure he was a wonderful player, but many went further than him in several departments
disturbiapixie 2 years ago
Mmmh. Might be. However, what does "perfect panism" stand for? I personaly do not have any definition for it. Rubinstein might have been faulty technically speaking, or below some other at some tme. I however do not believe it hast cut out his understanding of the score, which is more important than technical perfection in my feeling. If you listen to other great interprets, such as Richter at the end of his carreer, mistakes are there.
voixhumaine 2 years ago
what does "perfect panism" stand for is beyond me, especially seeing you coined this stupid phrase, not me. nor do I understand why people insist on reducing technique to hitting the right notes when it's so painfully obvious there is so much more here at stake... Richter NEVER was a note-perfect pianist, not even in his younger years, nor were Horowitz and Gilels; but in terms of virtuoso freedom, precision and, most importantly, quality of sound these performers far outshine Rubinstein
disturbiapixie 2 years ago
it is interesting that you should use the phrase "understanding of the score" because, this choice of diction leads one rather to the intellectual strain in 20th century pianism, marked by names such as Gieseking, Arrau, Richter, Michelangeli, Gould. It is true that Rubinstein's style has undergone a number of changes in the course of his long and illustrious career, maturing greatly and moving towards a greater degree of objectivity etc.
disturbiapixie 2 years ago
but at the end of the day his his true forte lies in his natural grace and charm, rather than in the profound interpretative insight one associates with an Arrau or a Yudina, or the kind of musicological research undertaken by Brendel
disturbiapixie 2 years ago
I agree with your assessment.all the same,I would suggest that you try to listen to recordings that R. played live in Poland and the USSR,where he felt appreciative audiences,unlike the US,and
(unfortunately for me)Israel,where he never took payment for his playing.
raanan17 2 years ago
Verrrrrrry good!
classicalPiano1 3 years ago
Was he human? :O
dreamandwakeup 3 years ago 2
how does he do that?
rodrigodemarsillac 3 years ago 3
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Horrendous gaff at 3'24"
FILIGREE1 3 years ago
Rollo!
Cramnella 3 years ago
I image you can play it better...correct?
dreamandwakeup 3 years ago
Incorrect! Actually I can play the piano 'reasonably well', but of course nowhere near to this standard. But that is not the point. I don't think there is any rule on Youtube that you can't make a critiscism. I can't play soccer as well as Pele, but I know the game well enough to see if he makes a mistake. (Rubinstein is absolute legend and I have spent many hours listening to his interpretations).
FILIGREE1 3 years ago
the problem is that there is no mistake at 3:24!
voolare 2 years ago 3
It sounds like it to me. But please understand that I have spent many hours enjoying his marvellous playing and of course I can't play to anywhere near this standard.
FILIGREE1 2 years ago
Magnificent!
vanessapastor 3 years ago
Y diré más, es Rubinstein de nuestro planeta?
astronomo16 3 years ago
Es Rachmaninov de nuestro Planeta?
anchirib 3 years ago
Magnificent!
ross5th 3 years ago 2
camera work is amazing
MountCashelTuck 3 years ago
Bravo!!!
FabioThePianist 3 years ago
grande rubinstein
goldberg72 3 years ago 6
It's wonderful to see the grand old man playing with such style and authority
paulprocopolis 3 years ago 4
Oh my word, what a treat!
Thank you for posting this.
BikshuHana 3 years ago 3
[Cont.] I was fortunate to have heard live several of the older virtuosos and the generation following them including Rubenstein, Horowitz, Serkin, Alfred Brendel, Emil Gilels, Claudio Arrau, Jorge Bolet, Sviatoslav Richter, Alexis Weissenberg, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and others. I saw Rubenstein at age 90. He was blind and had to be led to the piano. Even then, he was a warm and captivating performer, playing a large program of Beethoven (Appassionata), Schubert, Schumann, and of course Chopin.
hnkahl 3 years ago 4
Following up on my comment below: pianists before the 50s knew that there was no permanent record of their concerts. This liberated them to take chances. They played bigger than life and projected to the farthest audience member. When the camera is introduced to this a few feet from the piano, the performance seems exaggerated. It's like standing 5 feet in front of an opera singer - you're going to get spit on and it may not smell so great. Rubenstein was a great pianist with a wonderful tone.
hnkahl 3 years ago 2
I think it makes sense to listen to and enjoy these last pianists of the great romantic tradition of playing in the context of their time. They were primarily concert pianists rather than recording artists. Interpreters and entertainers. Rubenstein in particular played to the average listener, emphasizing and shaping the melodies and bringing out important elements. If a passage doesn't fit your technique, change the passage. He is often criticized by "scholars", but beloved by audiences.
hnkahl 3 years ago
He is,was,and will be EVER magnificent..
Because he performed only for the public,not for scholars or critics..
He worked for to give beauty
Ankhsnammon
Ankhsnammon 3 years ago 4
Rubeinstein is a master. period.
Bukosaure 3 years ago
Siempre Chopin ha sido hermoso y vanguardista, y Rubnstein lo expone magnificamente.
anycodistshat 3 years ago
nn ci sino paroleeeeeeeeeeee
goldberg72 3 years ago
OMG an historical piece what a great piece we have in this community XD Rubinstein its a very good pianist very great piece very good art work
andresitokitty 3 years ago
How can this man play so good? Can somebody tell me from what planet he is?
dresibiu 3 years ago
Artur Rubinstein gave 4* solo piano recitals in the Sydney Town Hall in 1970s*. *I think. I went to them all. Major Chopin works, some Beethoven and Brahms and, of course, the Falla "Ritual Fire Dance" with the hands rising one metre! The concerts were not managed by the ABC. The piano he played on was, unfortunately, not first rate. I particularly remember his calmness and relaxation and pleasantness afterwards in the artist's room. The very large hall was always packed to the rafters.
gerardbedecarter 3 years ago
what's the name of this piece
jjd041593 3 years ago
just watch the damn video and stop arguing
bluebr5 3 years ago
Wonderful and breathtaking !
Berceuse59 3 years ago
Nell'inquadratura al minuto 2 si vede che aveva delle mani enormi. Non deve essere piacevole ricevere uno schiaffo da una mano del genere...
umegghju 3 years ago
dido 93 convengo con te...nella parte 3:24 in poi e' grandioso una forza incredibbile per uno della sua eta'..fara' anche di meglio negli anni 70 !!
goldberg72 3 years ago
Il modo di suonare era diverso dai pianisti attuali... ma si vede che è un grande (ed io ci capisco poco)
umegghju 3 years ago
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This playing is so typical of the dry and objective,unromantic,unlyrical,uninteresting playing that Rubinstein gave after he gave in to the catterwalling of critics in the 20s and retired from stage...only to emerge several years later...A REFORMED TRADITIONAL-
IST...playing in the modern style..OH WELL...
smithsherman 3 years ago
I disagree.
Not all emotion is blatant.
InimeKai 3 years ago 4
What? this is a very powerful performance. I agree with InimeKai
daan1685 3 years ago 8
Wow, you really don't know what real music is!
georgecziffra 3 years ago
Only someone who has absolutely no valid knowledge of music(not the history of certain musicians you wish to slant as much as possible,you know who I mean)would be unable to read the emotion in this playing.Just because he doesn't throw off the rhythm or alter the work dynamically to his leisure. He remains loyal to the score and in that finds the emotion of the music.And THAT is what true brilliance is,being able to accurately represent the composer's intention,and he achieves that brilliantly.
Jannie2044 3 years ago 8
I believe that Alfred Wallenstein was the conductor.
Rubinstein, who was 68 when this was recorded, was a bigger fan of Rachmaninoff's pianistic skills than of his compositions. He only recorded three Rachmaninoff works for RCA: this work, the famous Prelude in C# minor,and the Concerto number 2.
TomBarrister 3 years ago
It is obvious that Rubinstein played this as Rach would have, as he certainly did with the Rach-2. Rubinstein would have heard Rach play and played the way the composer wished.
Wonderful, exciting, beautiful music played exactly as my ear wishes to hear it.
Valkyrie91a 3 years ago
We don't have to guess how Rachmaninoff would have played it -- there's a recording of the great man playing this piece! And it's pretty fabulous.
I agree that this is wonderful playing. Saying that Rubinstein was an amazing pianist is not a deep insight. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anyone remotely like him today. A different era, though there are certainly some great ones now -- Schiff, Perahia, Sokolov, Pollini (sometimes), Argerich, Kissin, etc.
donaldcallen 3 years ago
Reply to donaldcallen: I like Lang Lang!
KrisMayeaux 3 years ago
Well, if you enjoy his playing, that's great.
For me, I don't think he comes close to ranking with the current pianists I mentioned and others that I didn't (Emanuel Ax comes to mind, as does Garrick Ohlsson). While he has great facility, I find a lot of his playing exaggerated and/or tasteless. Perhaps he'll become a real artist as he ages, but I don't think he's there now. If you want to hear fine playing from a young pianist, I recommend listening to Jonathan Biss. Again, my opinion.
donaldcallen 3 years ago 5
then again, he was very cerebral, and it takes a deep profound, mature taste to truly appreciate his depth of tone, musical maturity, accuracy, and musicality.
some people prefer that type of exaggerated piano playing, looking all around, lang-lang ish, some prefer the cerebral, musical, technical way, so if you heard it, you could get the piece.
My opinion though.
He's cerebral and highly developed. None today compare really.
killbillvoltoo 3 years ago 4
Actually, Rubinstein was an instinctive pianist, not given to the kind of deep analysis that characterizes the work of an Alfred Brendel or a Maurizio Pollini. And he didn't always faithfully follow the score (e.g., the end of the Schumann Fantasy, where he does things contrary to the Clara Schumann edition). Having said that, his instincts were fabulous, and when he took liberties with the score, the results were almost invariably beautiful.
donaldcallen 3 years ago
just so you know:):
Source: The Great Pianisits
Rubinstein was a very calculated pianisit, and so calculated that he calculated sponteneity so that when he did something, it seemed spontaneous, but was always thought out thoroughly
killbillvoltoo 3 years ago
I wasn't talking about spontaneity. I was talking about the kind of deep structural analysis that a Pollini does, as opposed to a more instinctive approach to deciding how to play a piece. Either way, major decisions are made in advance -- the distinction is in the process by which they are arrived at.
But there *was* real spontaneity in his playing. He talked many times about connecting with an audience member and playing for that person. That didn't change the major decisions, though.
donaldcallen 3 years ago
They knew each other, AR account of his first meeting with Rach in "My Many Years" is quite fuuny. Also he had dinner with Rach, Stravinsky, and their wives . Rach and Strav hated each others music, during the dinner AR and the ladies were sure there was going to be a big blowup, but the two composers spent the evening counting up the money they lost during the Russian Revolution.
mikeinkc 3 years ago 2
at 3.24 he hit a load of duff notes but it was exciting nonetheless
afertyus1000 3 years ago
Bravo!!!
fengxuan007 3 years ago
gaah! stay in place flying camera!
mUsr001 3 years ago
1000!!!!!!!!!!!
Shoshas 4 years ago