Review of Artur Rubinstein in Concert (1989)

Following their release of Artur Rubinstein's Grieg, Chopin and Saint-Saëns concertos, Deutsche Grammophon issues another fascinating programme about the great pianist, recorded two years earlier, in August 1973, at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Rubinstein can be heard and seen in Beethoven's 3rd and Brahms's 1st, both accompanied by the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink.

Produced by the same team, with Hugo Käch directing, the great Max Wilcox who had been recording Rubinstein since 1959 as audio producer, and Robert Hofer responsible for the photography, this DVD provides further insight in the artistry of one of the most significant pianists of the previous century in the indian summer ("autumn" would be too strong a word for the 86-year old Rubinstein) of his career. Rubinstein at this point approached both concertos with an unforced, patrician distance, avoiding all excesses in sound and tempi, as if he wants to let the music speak for itself, at times almost turning it into chamber music. It's an old master returning once more to these works he has played, loved and explored for decades. Yet there's no sign of fatigue or errancy. Very few have been able to make this music sing with such freshness, clarity of line and naturalness of declamation as Rubinstein did. The Largo and the Adagio sections boast a mesmerizing serenity and almost nocturnal quality. Eventually, the simplicity of his music-making, the humanity reflecting Rubinstein's own rich vision of life, have something profoundly touching.

Schubert's Impromptu in A flat major (D. 899/4), Brahms's Capriccio in B flat minor, op. 76/2 and his Intermezzo in B flat minor, op. 117/2, Chopin's Scherzo in B flat minor, op. 31 are concluding the programme and are much in the same vein.

Soundwise the "Artur Rubinstein in concert" DVD is preferable to the earlier release because of the warmer acoustics of the Concertgebouw hall which seem to suit Rubinstein's lyrical and spacious approach better. The playing of the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink also boasts more character than the London Symphony under a neutral and often bland André Prévin. The rich and distinct sonorities of the Dutch orchestra are a joy from start to end.

Curiously, this DVD gives us the exact same bonus as the earlier release with the "Rubinstein at 90" film, showing the pianist in conversation with Robert MacNeil at his Parisian home in 1977. Good as it is, there are plenty of other insightful documentaries of Rubinstein around which could have been offered as an extra.

Highly recommended.

Product Description
First DVD release of this legendary performance by a legendary artist. "Rubinstein's superb form is matched by the incredible musical sensitivity of Haitink and the orchestra...Sounds and images are expertly cued to the split second... Rubinstein's face, body and hands are captured in a smooth flow of shots and reflections...The Beethoven takes on an almost Mozartean delicacy, the Brahms is infused with all the power it requires." --The New York Times A vibrant and revealing interview, "Rubinstein at 90" conducted by Robert MacNeil, is included as a bonus. Filmed in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, August 1973 (concert) and at Rubinstein's home in Paris, 1977 (interview) Artur Rubinstein, piano Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam Bernard Haitink, conductor Directed by Hugo Käch

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