One of this century's great pianists, Artur Rubinstein (1887-1982) began
playing the piano at the age of three and concertized tirelessly until
nearly ninety. He made his official debut in Berlin in 1900 playing, among
other works, Saint-Saëns' G minor Concerto Op. 22, which remained a
vehicle for Rubinstein's virtuosity throughout his career. He was often
heard in concertos by Brahms and Beethoven. Indeed, Brahms was the
composer who initially aroused the pianist's strongest and deepest
artistic instincts. This place was later taken by Chopin. In his later
years, Rubinstein was noted for his Chopin interpretations, which were
marked by impeccable style, warm lyricism and passionate eloquence. The
Brahms piano pieces were recorded in August 1973 at Amsterdam's
Concertgebouw.
