 Arthur RubinsteinArthur Rubinstein plays Frédéric ChopinDedicated to the 200th anniversary of birth of Frédéric Chopin (live) 2CD
CD 1
1 Polonaise in F sharp minor, Op. 44 10.46
2 Impromptu in G flat major, Op. 51 No. 3 5.12
3 Nocturne in D flat major, Op. 27 No. 2 6.03
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35
4 I. Grave. Doppio movimento 5.17
5 II. Scherzo 6.49
6 III. Marche funèbre: Lento 8.19
7 IV. Finale: Presto 1.45
Total playing time: 44.05
CD 2
1 Barcarole in F sharp major, Op. 60 9.21
2 Étude in A flat major, Op. 25 No. 1 2.29
3 Étude in G flat major, Op. 10 No. 5 1.36
4 Étude in E minor, Op. 25 No. 5 3.00
5 Étude in C sharp minor, Op. 10 No. 4 2.15
6 Waltz in A minor, Op. 34 No. 2 5.26
7 Polonaise in A flat major (“Heroic”), Op. 53 6.56
8 Waltz in A flat major, Op. 34 No. 1 4.25
Total playing time: 35.33
Arthur Rubinstein, piano
Recorded live at the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory on October 1, 1964
Catalogue number: MEL CD 10 01684
Where to buy: Shops addresses
In 2010 the world celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Polish composer of genius Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849). This romantic composer was a genuine poet of grand piano. He composed neither symphonies nor operas – his whole creative life was dedicated to piano works. Chopin considered this instrument ideal for expressing feelings and ideas; his nocturnes, waltzes, ballads, mazurkas, polonaises, etudes and scherzos are the recognized masterpieces of piano art.
“To understand Chopin one must know that the composer was a pupil of Bach and Mozart, a pupil of accuracy and harmony. This is a noble genius. Chopin’s Rubato originates from Italian singing: the composer regularly visited the Italian opera studying the singers’ art. Take into account the singer’s breath, expressiveness of the arias and recitatives, singing for the good of the soul – and there appears the proper degree of freedom, not imposed one but following from the sense of melody…” – said one of the best interpreters of Chopin’s music, legendary Polish pianist Arthur Rubinstein. It was performance of Chopin’s works that brought him fame and is still considered to be a world standard.
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