Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Robert Schumann, Artur Rubinstein :: Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 76

Playing of authority and great lyricism, sometimes a bit sta

Discophage | France | 09/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the remastered reissue, in RCA's Rubinstein (incomplete) collection, of the earlier RCA Victor Gold Seal GD86262, which I have commented (see my more detailed review thereunder: Schubert: Piano Trio in Bf D898, Op99; Schumann: Piano Trio in Dm No1, Op63). I don't know how the "remastering" has improved upon the sound of the earlier publication of those recordings from 1972 (Schumann) and 1974 (Schubert), which was already very good (and which can still be found, for cheaper than this one). Interpretively, these readings have some outstanding aspects, like the gorgeous tone and soaring lyricism of Szeryng and Fournier, and Rubinstein's authoritative, crisp and imaginative playing. Only the rather moderate tempos adopted in Schubert's scherzo and finale - valid in their own way but not entirely true to Schubert's tempo indication of "Allegro" and "Allegro vivace" - prevent this recording from being an all-time standard, on a par with Istomin, Stern and Rose's famed 1964 essay. Still, there is much value for money here."