Arthur Rubinstein

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This article is about the 20th century Polish pianist. For the 19th century Russian pianist and composer with a similar name, see Anton Rubinstein.

Arthur Rubinstein (January 28 1887 – December 20 1982) was a Polish pianist who is widely considered as one of the greatest piano virtuosos of the 20th Century. He received international acclaim for his performances of Chopin and Brahms and his championing of Spanish music.

1 Biography
2 Marriage and Death
3 Honours and Awards
4 References
5 Biography and Autobiography
6 External links

[edit] Biography

Rubinstein was born Artur Rubinstein in Łódź, Poland to a Jewish family. Aside from his early and singular fascination with the piano, another interesting childhood trait is that Rubinstein didn't begin speaking until some time around the age of three. Until the time that he developed speech, Rubinstein would entertain his family by imitating non-speech sounds.<ref>Sachs, Harvey (1995). "Rubenstein: A Life". New York:Grove Press. ISBN 0-8021-1579-9.</ref> The descriptions of Rubinstein's delayed speech, his early childhood tantrums and his later virtuosity closely follow a similar pattern of development of other famous late-talkers, such as fellow pianist Clara Schumann and physicist (and sometimes-musician) Albert Einstein, among others. <ref>Sowell, Thomas (2001). "The Einstein Syndrome: Bright Children Who Talk Late". Basic Books, 89-150. ISBN 0-465-08140-1.</ref>

Rubinstein studied in Warsaw. He made his debut in Berlin in 1900, followed by appearances in Germany and Poland and further study with Heinrich Barth. In 1904, he went to Paris, where he met the composers Ravel, Dukas, and the violinist Jacques Thibaud. He also played Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 in the presence of the composer.

Rubinstein made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall in 1906, and thereafter toured the United States, Austria, Italy, and Russia. In 1912, he made his London debut.

During World War I Rubinstein lived mainly in London, accompanying the violinist Eugène Ysaÿe. From 1916 to 1917, he toured Spain and South America, developing an enthusiasm for the music of Granados, Albéniz, de Falla, and Villa-Lobos. He was the dedicatee of Villa-Lobos' "Rudepoema", one of the most difficult piano pieces ever written ^{[citation needed]}.

In 1932 he withdrew from concert life for several months to work on his technique and repertory.

During World War II, Rubinstein lived in the United States and became a naturalized citizen in 1946. He refused to play in post-war Germany because of the Nazi extermination of members of his family. He retired from the stage in 1976, as his eyesight and hearing were rapidly deteriorating. He became mostly blind in later life.

Although best known as a recitalist and concerto soloist, Rubinstein was also considered an outstanding chamber musician, partnering with such luminaries as Henryk Szeryng, Jascha Heifetz, Gregor Piatigorsky, and the Guarneri Quartet. Of the piano solo repertoire Rubinstein recorded a vast portion, including nearly all the works of Chopin,save the Études, and innumerable other Romantic composers. He was one of the earliest champions of the afore-mentioned Spanish and South American composers and of French composers who, in the early 20th century, were still considered "modern" (Debussy, Dukas). In addition, Rubinstein was the first champion of the music of his compatriot Karol Szymanowski. Rubinstein, in conversation with Alexander Scriabin, named Brahms as his favorite composer (a response that enraged Scriabin) <ref>Artur Rubinstein, My Young Years, quoted in Norman Lebrecht, The Book of Musical Anecdotes</ref>.

Rubinstein was fluent in eight languages <ref>H. Sachs, op. cit.</ref>. Rubinstein’s photographic memory of much of the repertoire, not simply that of the piano, was formidable <ref>ibid.</ref>. According to his memoirs, the pianist learned Franck’s Symphonic Variations while on a train en route to the concert, without the benefit of a piano.

[edit] Marriage and Death

Rubinstein was married in 1932 to Aniela (Nela) Mlynarska, daughter of conductor Emil Mlynarski and ex-wife of Mieczyslaw Munz. They had four children: their daughter Eva married William Sloane Coffin; their son John Rubinstein is an actor. Rubinstein also fathered a daughter with a South American woman. Though he never divorced, he carried on a series of affairs during his marriage and, at age 90, left his wife for the young Annabelle Whitestone in 1977.

Rubinstein died in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1982 at age 95. His ashes were interred in Israel.

[edit] Honours and Awards

Image:Pomnik Rubisteina Lodz.jpg

In 1977, he was made an honorary Knight of the British Empire (KBE).

Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance:

Pierre Fournier, Arthur Rubinstein & Henryk Szeryng for Schubert: Trios Nos. 1 in B Flat, Op. 99 and 2 in E Flat, Op. 100 (Piano Trios) (1976)
Pierre Fournier, Arthur Rubinstein & Henryk Szeryng for Brahms: Trios (Complete)/Schumann: Trio No. 1 in D Minor (1975)
Arthur Rubinstein for Beethoven: Sonatas No. 21 in C (Waldstein) and No. 18 in E Flat (1960)

Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra):

Arthur Rubinstein for Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 18 in E Flat/Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 (1978)
Arthur Rubinstein for Beethoven: Sonatas No. 21 in C (Waldstein) and No. 18 in E Flat (1960)