Arthur rubinstein rachmaninoff biography

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His interpretation fused technical mastery with a soul-stirring narrative, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. This was the early life of Arthur Rubinstein. Was it the influence of the stunning compositions by Frédéric Chopin, or a yearning to connect with the essence of genius that music offered?

Unveiling the Secrets of His Success

Rubinstein's fame blossomed not only through his technical prowess but also through his deeply emotive interpretations.

Driven by a deep-seated love for music, he dedicated countless hours to practice every day, tirelessly pursuing perfection. Nonetheless, Rubinstein was in a class by himself. He has a house nearMalaga.

He followed this success with an extensive tour of South America so that he did not reach the United States again until the 1919 season.

Though Rubinstein appeared in the United States up to 1927, he did not visit this country again for a decade thereafter when impresario S.

Hurok persuaded him to return.

Meanwhile in 1932 he had married Aniela Mlynarski at a fairy-tale wedding in London attended by celebrities in music, art, literature, and diplomacy. Received by wildly applauding throngs, including all theleading figures in Soviet musical and cultural circles, the pianist scored oneof the greatest triumphs of his career.

For his first film he receivedthe record sum of $85,000, for three days' work for putting Rachmaninoff'sSecond Concerto on the sound track of Republic's I've Always Loved You.

Rubinstein scored a personal triumph in the star-studded picture, CarnegieHall in which he appeared on the screen for the first time. When admirers in his dressing roomafter the concert told him that they had heard him during his last concerttour there in 1935, Rubinstein said, "I have made progress since then I havethe Americans to thank for that, they want perfection."

Rubinstein has over fifty recording in the current RCA Victor list, coveringthe most important music written for the piano.

Rubinstein becomesemotional beyond his customary animation when he speaks of his experiencein Spain, and readily admits his debt of gratitude. It was a moment met with rapturous applause, underscoring the depth of emotion he invoked that night. Author of autobiographies My Young Years, 1973, and My Many Years, 1980.

Arthur Rubinstein's Awards

Legion d'honneur (France), Cross of Alfonso XII (Spain), Commander of Arts and Letters (Chile), Order of Santiago (Portugal), Polonia Restituta (Poland), Commander of the Crown and Officer, Order of Leopold I (Belgium); National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Lifetime Achievement Award, 1994.

Famous Works

  • Selective Works
  • Bach: Chaccone; Franck: Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue; Liszt: Sonata in B Minor RCA.
  • (With Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, conductor) Beethoven
  • Piano Concertos 1-5, Sonata in C-sharp Minor, Op.

    27, No. 2 ("Moonlight") RCA.

  • Chopin: Ballades and Scherzos RCA.
  • Chopin: Nocturnes RCA.
  • Chopin: Polonaises RCA.
  • (With Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, conductor) Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Ritual Fire Dance; Franck: Symphonic Variations; Prokofiev: March; Saint-Saens: Concerto No.

    2. RCA.

  • (With Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, conductor) Rachmaninoff
  • Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini RCA.
  • Schubert: "Wanderer" Fantasy; Sonata in B-flat Major;Impromptus RCA.
  • Schumann: Fantasiestucke, Op. 12; Prophet Bird; Romance, Op.

    28 No.2; Carnaval RCA.

  • Schumann: Kreisleriana; Fantasy in C, Op. 17 RCA.

Further Reading

Books

  • Rubinstein, Arthur, My Young Years, Knopf, 1973.
  • Rubinstein, Arthur, My Many Years, Knopf, 1980.
  • Schonberg, Harold C., The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present, Simon & Schuster, 1963.
  • Periodicals Life, April 5, 1948.
  • New Yorker, November 1, 1958.
  • New York Times, January 26, 1964; December 21, 1982.
  • Time, February 25, 1966.

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To grasp the essence of this connection, consider his assertion that, "A great artist is never afraid to reveal who they are through their music."

A Lasting Legacy

Fast forward to today, where the legacy of Arthur Rubinstein continues to resonate-a gentle whisper of nostalgia intertwined within the vast canvas of modern classical music.

Listeners were left spellbound-some moved to tears-as Rubinstein unleashed a riveting performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. The audience stood and applauded wildly.

From: Wally West


Artur Rubinstein was born January 28, 1889 in Lodz, Poland, the youngest ofseven children by nine years.

He is also a Commander of the Legion d'Honneur,a Commander of the Order of Chile, Grand Officer of Alfonso XII of Spain, Benemerenti of Roumania, Officer of Santiago of Portugal, oldest military order on the continent, Officer of PolognaRestituta, Correspondent Member of the Academy of Arts of Brazil,Honorary Member of the famous Accademia di Sanita Cecilia in Rome andpossessor of Honorary Doctorates from Northwestern, Yale, Brown andRutgers Universities, Bronze Medal of the City of New York, Honorary Citizenof Philadelphia and Honorary Member of Romani di Roma.

Soon after the war, Rubinstein became the founder-president of the Frederic Chopin Fund, which sponsored concerts to raise money for needy artists inpostwar Europe, providing musical instruments, books and scores tomusicians deprived of the tools of their profession.

In the fall of 1947, he returned to Europe to concertize for the first time since 1939.

arthur rubinstein rachmaninoff biography

Shortly thereafter, he removed his family to America andsettled in Hollywood.

With Hollywood studios close by, it was not long before motion picturecompanies were knocking at Rubinstein's door. Arthur Rubinstein, a towering figure in classical piano music, was not just a musician but also a masterful storyteller whose performances spun tales of passion, heartbreak, and triumph.

Others may be superior in specific things, but Rubinstein is the complete pianist."

Rubinstein was born in 1886 in Lodz, Poland, and at the age of eight began studying piano in Berlin. An idol before he left the continent, his return was the signal for one of the greatest tributes ever awarded an artist. He was alsoseen on such shows as Small World where he discussed censorship behindthe iron curtain with Archibald MacLeish, and the Polish poet, AntonSlominski.

In September, 1964, Rubinstein, after an absence of nearly thirty years,returned to the Soviet Union to play a series of six recitals in Moscow,Leningrad and Kiev.

One particular performance of Chopin's Ballade No. 1 left an indelible mark on the audience. This can be largely attributed to the perception that Rubinstein's pianism was of the Romantic school of the first half of the 20th century, a style that infused music with drama and emotion and one that eventually fell out of favor.

Consider these seven stirring reasons:

  1. The emotional depth of his playing transcends merely striking the right notes.
  2. His timeless performances echo universal themes of love, loss, and beauty.
  3. Rubinstein stands as an inspiring figure to current and aspiring pianists everywhere.
  4. His storytelling ability through piano emanates authenticity and grace.
  5. The historical context of his music encapsulates the struggles of his time.
  6. Each recording he left behind imparts critical lessons about artistry.
  7. His passionate dedication serves as a living testament to the unyielding spirit of the human experience.

As we reflect on the legacy of Arthur Rubinstein, we encounter a vibrant palette of exquisite melodies, serving as an emotional roadmap that guides us towards empathy, understanding, and enduring inspiration-qualities desperately needed in our ever-changing world.