Rubinstein teaches Chopin

November 27, 2012 5:19 PM

Pianist Arthur Rubinstein teaches the Chopin Ballade #1: Part 1, Part 2. Here is a Rubinstein recording of the ballade in full.

The Ballade #1 was also featured in Roman Polanski's The Pianist and is mentioned in NY Times classical music critic Anthony Tommasini's recent piece on musical moments.

Previously

posted by beisny (7 comments total)

On the dramatic and powerful Chopin repertoire Rubinstein is, of course, superb. Perhaps unparalleled. But on the softer and more lyrical etudes and nocturnes, not so much. Just my opinion...
posted by jim in austin at 6:03 PM on November 27, 2012

And for contrast, Horowitz. Could be a different piece.

I loved how the advice basically boiled down to "don't hit it so hard all the time" and "let the tune come out", which sounds oddly familiar to anyone whose had a piano lesson probably. I'm presuming they cut all the stuff at the start where the pupil gave his excuses for not having done his scales much that week.
posted by cromagnon at 6:21 PM on November 27, 2012 [1 favorite]

Speaking of Pianists is a good read. Just saying.
posted by bz at 6:24 PM on November 27, 2012

Jim in Austin: Whose Nocturnes do you prefer over Rubenstein's?
posted by professor plum with a rope at 3:43 AM on November 28, 2012

Thank you for posting this - he is my favorite pianist. Loved the part where he told him not to bang 'Chopin doesn't go like Da Da Da - good for Liszt.'
posted by AnnElk at 6:14 AM on November 28, 2012 [1 favorite]

A wonderful post. As undeniably masterful as Rubinstein is, I always preferred Horowitz as a better Chopin interpreter. But this was a real treat.
posted by Seekerofsplendor at 9:33 AM on November 28, 2012

Rubinstein was not only my entry drug for Chopin, but classical music in general. Thanks for this.
posted by swift at 2:14 PM on November 28, 2012