Search - Robert Schumann, Artur Rubinstein :: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 52

Schumann Without the Spark

Hank Drake | Cleveland, OH United States | 08/18/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Kreisleriana and the Fantasie in C are two of Schumann's most virtuosic, yet intimate, large scale piano works. Rubinstein, with his legendary mix of brio and poetry, would seem tailor made for these pieces. Alas, these are among the blandest performances of these youthful works I have ever heard. Rubinstein was always known as a more exciting--if less accurate--performer in public that he was in the studio, where the need for a note perfect "product" sometimes hampered his sponteneity. This seems to have been the case here. It is worth noting that the Fantasie, recorded in 1965, was not released until 1980, which seems to indicate Rubinstein had misgivings about the recorded performance contained herein.



For those wishing to aquaint themselves with these works, I recommend Horowitz (in the Sony versions) and Perahia in both the Fantasie, and Kreisleriana.



No complaints about the sound, which captures Rubinstein's golden tone."

Performance of Magical Beauty

Scriabinmahler | UK | 03/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I've listened to many recordings of C major Fantasie, but this performance by Rubinstein stands out for its magical beauty, noble poetry and amazingly sensitive rendition of the first movement. Kreisleriana is also outstanding and ranks with the best.



Latest 20bit Super CD Encoding remastering has added more brilliance and body to the original, capturing subtlety and intricacy of the playing."

Mostly wonderful

E. Willinger | New York, NY USA | 10/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While it's true that the "Fantasie" could be more energetic and incisive, as noted in the previous review here, Rubinstein's "Kreisleriana" is just amazing. This difficult piece, alternating and combining lyricism, obsessive passion, and eccentric wit, receives an "elder statesman's" performance in the best sense from the nearly 80-year-old master. The rapid passages are crytalline, the slower ones sing, and the poetry of the whole work comes alive, without exaggeration or showiness; plus, the sound of the piano is unfailingly beautiful. This "Kreisleriana" is a great example of the art of Schumann and of Rubinstein."