Album

It's been suggested that Arthur Rubinstein was one of the greatest interpreters of Brahms in the last century. Unfortunately, it was not this particular recording of the first piano concerto that earned him that accolade. During a career that spanned nearly eight decades, Rubinstein made several recordings of this work, each with different interpretations and different orchestras. In this particular version with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, it is the accompaniment itself that detracts greatly from the listener's enjoyment. The opening orchestral tutti alone begins with a disturbingly out-of-tune D minor chord, and poor intonation plagues the BBC's entire performance here. Different sections of the orchestra do not always come in at the same time, the brass being especially guilty of rushing the downbeat. The recording also fails to capture what became known as the "Rubinstein Sound"—a warm, rich, velvety sound that became one of his many hallmarks. Here, the piano's sound is quite thin, almost tinny. Listeners should not deprive themselves of the opportunity to hear Rubinstein perform this piece, but it is recommended that they consider the 1954 recording with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony. Likewise with the Mozart, the monaural sound quality of the piano heard here is not luxuriant nor the orchestra as precise as it is with Rubinstein's 1961 stereo recording with Alfred Wallenstein and the RCA Victor Symphony.

© Mike D. Brownell, Rovi

CD 1
Johannes Brahms Composer Piano Concerto No.1 in D-, Op.15 Work Recorded 1968 48:59 Artur Rubinstein Piano, BBC Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis Conductor
1	1.Maestoso	22:22			$3.99
2	2.Adagio	14:31			$2.49
3	3.Rondo: Allegro non troppo	12:06			$1.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K.488 Work Recorded 1962 26:56 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Artur Rubinstein Piano, Sir Colin Davis Conductor
4	1.Allegro	11:23			$1.99
5	2.Adagio	7:14			$1.49
6	3.Allegro assai	8:19			$1.49