Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 45 :Chopin: Ballades, Scherzi, Tarantelle

Rubinstein's is not the only way to play Chopin. Ignaz Friedman, Cortot, Horowitz, Wild, Cherkassky, and others have given us Chopin performances of incredible artistry and individuality, but Rubinstein's more objective interpretive stance set the model for succeeding generations of Chopin players. This welcome reissue from RCA's monster set of the pianist's complete recordings helps explain why his Chopin is still revered. The 1959 version of the Ballades is memorable thanks to his big, bronze tone, subtle rubato, and ability to make the keyboard sing like a great operatic diva. The great G minor Ballade illustrates Rubinstein's way with the music--the pregnant pauses in the introduction never overdone, the tenuous theme sung with quiet exactitude, the bold passages played with waves of sound that are never harsh or disproportionate, the whole coming off like a story told by a master narrator. The directness of Rubinstein's playing also suits the Scherzos, bravura pieces that the pianist recorded three times in his career. This 1959 stereo recording may miss some of the impetuosity of the earlier versions, but its stronger structural sense and subtlety make it compelling. Sonics are much improved over previous releases. --Dan Davis