Arthur Rubinstein Live Recital Warsaw 1966. Schubert B flat Sonata D960 and Schumann Carnaval Op 9

This was the first half of a recital given in Warsaw in September 1966. The second half consisted of two pieces by Debussy, Scherzo-Waltz by Chabrier and Chopin G minor Ballade, two Etudes and the B minor Scherzo.

[@fratello885]

Welch atemberaubende Kombination von Eleganz und Tiefgang - durchdrungen von Menschlichkeit und Musikalität!

[@1929rubi]

Stimmt!

[@alfredclark3167]

Rubinstein was the pianist I listened to the most growing up playing the piano and eventually having a career in music. His playing is so personnal and organic, not at all dry and academic. It sounds like he creating the music as he is playing.

[@mikeinkc]

His musicality was direct and to the point...in other words...simplicity! AR was never a neurotic, nervous, or "splashy" pianist. He was a musician first and foremost. Loved life, loved music, and loved people... It is that simple!

[@joludinaz]

Yes, a really LIVE performance, doesn´t matter it was over 50 years ago. What a strength, what an art, what a gentleman at the keyboard. He was unique.

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Magnificent!

[@andrewkennaugh1065]

jose luis Diez ...So it was a LIVE performance over 50 years ago...wow, did you forget to take your meds today...😚🤣

[@andrewkennaugh1065]

jose luis Diez ... Sorry, not sure why 50 years ago is significant...!😎😋

[@3YZ-TS191]

A one of a kind, indeed! An example of life and living both on and away from the keyboard.

[@martinschwehla4704]

@@andrewkennaugh1065 I think he means although it happened 50 years ago, it appears so fresh as if it had been recorded today

[@lykeioschoolprojects9806]

Astonishing sound quality for a film thats over 55 years old. And what dignity at the keyboard. Technique that's trancended the technical and has merged with musicianship completely. its just effortless!

[@AmicoCinghiale]

Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828) Sonata in B♭ major, D. 960 01:05 I. Molto moderato 14:48 II. Andante sostenuto 23:34 III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza - Trio 27:37 IV. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856) Carnaval, Op. 9 36:05 1. Préambule (A♭ major; Quasi maestoso) 38:18 2. Pierrot (E♭ major; Moderato) 39:22 3. Arlequin (B♭ major; Vivo) 40:01 4. Valse noble (B♭ major; Un poco maestoso) 41:28 5. Eusebius (E♭ major; Adagio) 43:01 6. Florestan (G minor; Passionato) 44:02 7. Coquette (B♭ major; Vivo) 45:04 8. Réplique (B♭ major - G minor; L'istesso tempo) 45:52 9. Papillons (B♭ major: Prestissimo) 46:32 10. A.S.C.H. - S.C.H.A: Lettres Dansantes (E♭ major; Presto) 47:17 11. Chiarina (C minor; Passionato) 48:40 12. Chopin (A♭ major; Agitato) 50:01 13. Estrella (F minor; Con affetto) 50:39 14. Reconnaissance (A♭ major; Animato)​ 52:21 15. Pantalon et Colombine (F minor; Presto) 53:16 16. Valse allemande (A♭ major; Molto vivace) 54:04 17. Paganini (F minor; Presto) 55:07 18. Aveu (F minor - A♭ major; Passionato) 56:12 19. Promenade (D♭ major; Con moto) 57:57 20. Pause (A♭ major; Vivo) 58:14 21. Marche des "Davidsbündler" contre les Philistins (A♭ major; Non allegro)

[@painfulllsound]

👏🏼

[@lkrupp215]

Standing ovation before he even touched the piano. And that, dear listeners, is how you play Schubert.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Indeed! Grandmasters aren't only in chess matches...

[@elzbieta5364]

Perfekcyjnie doskonale A. Rubinstein - postać,technika,wykonanie utworów,dźwięk i strumentu👍👍👍👍💖💖💖💖💖💖 pamięć!!!!

[@lindsaykeith8608]

With my parents I saw and wondered at this gentleman's playing for us at the Newcastle Theatre Royal in the mid 1970s, so beautiful and he was friendly, we loved him that evening...

[@olavk7111]

I heard Rubinstein live many times in the 1960s, and those remain the greatest musical experiences of my life. He made many excellent recordings, but nothing was like a live Rubinstein recital. He was obviously inspired by his audience, and for pieces he had played all his life, it was like he had just discovered the music and wanted to share his joy with us. With occasional wrong notes and all, his playing was so beautiful, and always in the service of the composer, never any flashy show-off.

[@1929rubi]

Hoq eifgr you are Olav!

[@1929rubi]

I meant RIGHT!!

[@1929rubi]

Should read: How right you are Olav!

[@MarcAmengual]

@Jannis Ohlas so true

[@yuriyfrolov3016]

18:47

[@beethovensg]

A very well prepared instrument for The Maestro. Incredibly voiced and tempered with clean unisons throughout the registers. And a great recording and/or remastering.

[@Clavichordist]

We had Rubenstein, my favorite pianist, playing the Schubert Sonata on an old 8-track tape that eventually broke from playing it so much. I first heard this when I was about 11 and as a young piano student I begged my parents to get me a copy of the music. That didn't happen for another 5 years. I then learned the sonata and still enjoy it today.

[@louise_rose]

A real legend - I remember watching the tv series he did as an old man, reminiscing about his long life and playing the piano - I was around fifteen at the time. Recently picked up his book of memoirs at a thrift shop, a wonderful bok too! :) Speaking of Schubert, around the same time that I was watching Rubinstein on the tv, I also bought a 9-LP box from DG with all of Schubert's piano sonatas (including the many unfinished ones from his apprentice years up till the brilliant C major Reliquie sonata of 1825) played by Wilhelm Kempff, another legend of the same generation - with two booklets, one about Schubert and the sonatas, one about Kempff and his illustrious career.. I have listened to those recordings lots of times, and the boxed set remains one of the most cherished items in my (extensive) record collection. :)

[@stevenledbetter9997]

you won't hear a better Carnival. such touch, sensitivity, technique.

[@LucaZani3012]

Interpretazione straordinaria della Sonata e del Carnaval. Che spontaneità, che concerto! Mitico Rubinstein

[@constancehughes6749]

A treasure. Every note sings and what a story they tell. Inspiring and masterful. Rubinstein at 79. Thank you for posting.

[@berlinzerberus]

17:25 - 19:56 ..with tears in my eyes I only can say: This is absolutely beautiful!!! 💕

[@anandsamuel1978]

Rubenstein the legend in all his glory! What more can I say of this genius. Just running short of superlatives such was his mastery the moment he lay his fingers on the keyboard!

[@richardwilson9142]

Even his silences are breathtaking. After low trill ending 1st mvt development, the pause before return of theme is just perfect-magical.

[@americanmultigenic]

Superb Carnaval! Saw him in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1974 and (despite a very poor house, 25% capacity) he played his heart out, with many encores.

[@philipkuttner7945]

Such utter freedom and perfect naturalness. And a right hand made of solid gold. Rubinstein was at his best playing for an audience; no matter how large the hall, you felt he was playing directly to you. Thank you for posting this!

[@pamelafrancis4476]

I heard every live performance he gave in London and agree!

[@nicolaskruger4412]

I love the Schubert sonata so much 😊

[@davidbauer4538]

Carnaval is really great. Rubinstein makes it sound complete like a story teller. All parts are perfectly put together and gel in. It ist so amazing how he keeps control over each piece to make it sound as part of a whole concept. Never mind remembering all the notes and the technique at his age, not to forget the other pieces...just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this gem!

[@tomjones2348]

Times sure have changed since this type of performing was revered. It's truly a lesson in performance just watching him.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Times have changed since Classical Music itself was revered. They are no longer being recorded, and symphony orchestras are hanging on by their fingernails...

[@ransomcoates546]

Notice his formal way of bowing.

[@Tonysmithmusic]

yes, its nice to see someone play without ridiculous facial expressions after every note.

[@rosfadem]

Quality sound, very appreciative! Genius outlives everything else.

[@todd3386]

So glad to see Rubinstein in full regalia. Nothing quite as graceful as watching this master in action and hearing the matchless touch he brought to every piece. Bravo!

[@berthill2305]

There are two studio recordings of Carnaval by Rubinstein. They are great but this is even better. All brought to life - wonderful.

[@neelsdp1]

I looked at the faces in the audience and realized that I'm fortunate to still be able to listen to this beautiful music... I saw some a few years older than me, hope they are still around to enjoy the music...

[@stomachpunch]

about 80 yrs of age --simply wonderful and inspiring

[@uliwidmaier5192]

Oh my goodness! I had no idea this video existed. Thank you so much for posting! What a treasure!

[@quaver1239]

What an unexpected treat! Thank you. I was 24 in that year, and we had all his LPs in our house, but this is the first time I’ve heard him play the D960. You have made my day!

[@kaareej]

Thanks so much. 1000 times more interesting to listen to than Lang Lang. What a genius.

[@robertparkerpiano]

Thanks for posting. I'm standing in the kitchen holding my breath as not to disturb him. A universe to learn from watching and listening to this kind of genius.

[@oucutie1]

The most beautiful piano posture in the world!!!!

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Agreed! That's what the true professionals look for, first...

[@nicolasvanpoucke.pianist]

Exactly!

[@pianoplaynight]

Michelangeli is the same class. Not one unnecessary movement...

[@andrewkennaugh1065]

I agree, those old ladies on the front row are sitting beautifully...!!☺️

[@milanpetrovic4576]

@@CLASSICALFAN100¹1

[@sierranevadatrail]

A real treasure, and high quality too. Everytime I think I have all the videos of Rubenstein, another one pops up.

[@nottooherbal]

Great man .

[@G.v.5049]

What a disciplined audience, no coughing❗

[@stonefireice6058]

There a quite a few of superb pianists performing these pieces, including Sir Arthur. They all put their own “reading” to them,and that makes their interpretations unique. A.Rubinstein’s Schubert and Schumann are uniquely his, lovingly and beautifully preserved as they were intended to be played.

[@sean8470]

had perfect flawless technique at the piano. has that singing tone if there was ever a pianist to have its AR..

[@saltburner2]

It is almost 60 years since I first heard him in London, in the Beethoven 3rd concerto with Krips and the LSO.

[@germanquintero10121946]

SENCILLAMENTE MARAVILLOSO

[@johnz4607]

That's so great!!!we can see such clear how Rubinstein playing.

[@Highinsight7]

THE perfect recital by the absolutely perfect pianist...

[@pianoyos3631]

1:00:03-1:00:08 - now that is Rubinstein alright! I've never seen any videos of him playing this Schubert sonata or Schumann's Carnaval before, this is an incredible treat. Thank you for uploading!

[@leongreen8088]

I believe this Schubert is the one he once said he started too late in life working on it to commit it to a commercial recording. Thankfully he let this recital be recorded!

[@ianaltman487]

@@leongreen8088 I'm not sure which Schubert he could have been referring to. He made two commercial recordings of D960, both in the early 60's. I believe the later of the two was released on LP at the time, and the earlier was held back until a CD release in the 90's. Both are available now on RCA's Rubinstein Collection.

[@leongreen8088]

@@ianaltman487 Thanks for the clarification.

[@zummingsky]

I've never seen the 1st movement of a Schubert's Sonata win an applause. His sound is so rich - his right 5th finger sings so profoundly that it could charm a snake. What an outstanding beauty.

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

Some in the audience didn’t know it is a multi-movement piece.

[@3YZ-TS191]

Outstanding grace and artistry in the Sonata technical mastery and musicality in the Carnaval. A musical tour de force! If you have the second half of the recital, please post! Thank you.

[@2002FREDERICK]

What and incredible pianist !!!and incredible person !!!!

[@gilbertoperez3504]

Thanks for sharing. Young students need to know this great artist who was a complete musician.

[@emilgilels]

Thank you for sharing! A true treasure!

[@connylemmens2353]

Thanks for this jewel. You made my day listening to Rubinstein. God doesn't make many of them anymore these days. Tx a lot. Look forward for the 2nd part.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Correction: God doesn't make **ANY** of them any more. RIP, Arthur, we miss U...

[@giobettino]

Il piacere di suonare, il piacere di ascoltare. Che fortuna averlo ascoltato dal vivo.

[@firephilosopher7645]

Such wonderful sonorous tone, and very sincere and unaffected playing. I am struck also by his lack of facial expressions/theatrics. Practically no one these days has this kind of self-possessed demeanor. I know that our relationship to our emotions and psychology has changed since his generation, and in some ways this has been a positive development, though I also can't help but think that a certain nobility has been lost.

[@1929rubi]

How right you are on every point dear Fire Philosopher!

[@zbigniewbrzezinski8869]

You express yourself as elegantly and masterfully as Rubinstein plays the piano!

[@tonyllu]

Commento di nobiltà. I miei più vivi complimenti

[@MarcAmengual]

I agree on that.

[@BielCT]

We sold a bit of our souls when the cd came. I like so much his interviews, like the Enigma about Richter. This honesty and austerity doesn’t have much place in this fast and image dependent world we have now.

[@davideluchena2623]

Wonderful recital! The second half, please! Thank you!

[@philipsmith3084]

A few years before this performance, my piano teacher took me tp a concert he was giving in Cincinnati and he was stunning! Thank you, Mrs. Coughenour. You made such a huge difference in my life!. Very sadly she died in 2011 and I will always miss her.

[@Jalcolm1]

I grew up listening to his Chopin. I find his interpretation to be very singing, which seems a lovely way to play Schubert. Recent studies have demonstrated that there are exactly 1,783,249 ways to play Schubert. Nothing less than reverence is acceptable.

[@hellbooks3024]

I had several favorites as a child, Horowitz, Cziffra. But I had a lovely little record of Rubenstein playing the 17th concerto of Mozart, and I must have played a thousand times. Elegance and perfection.

[@kymusginwala5510]

Serenity and beauty in mad world

[@alecpetrossian7459]

Not today, history! one of the greatest.

[@JLew-ch8yu]

He stirs emotions within me. So much energy in the Carnaval. I get in a trance hearing this! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@luky46]

Great pianist. Thank you for posting this beautiful videos

[@Daniel-nf8pp]

This days here in Denver CO. When everybody is doing drugs its nice to take a break and enjoy this piano music from a bygone era.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

**BYGONE IS RIGHT!** If every symphony orchestra and classical performer vanished tomorrow, would anyone even notice??...RIP

[@user-pu7uc9gi2x]

So legendary and beautiful~~~~♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@emikowashimi4285]

This video is amazing ! Carnaval ,I only listened to New York studio version in 1963, I wonder Haruki Murakami saw this or not.Also D.960 is impressive for me ,I love another version recorded in RCA studio in Rome in 1965. Thank you so much, from Japan.

[@mrabgarcia]

Tengo poco de escuchar a Rubinstein y me ha cautivado su interpretacion que enriquece el alma. Pocos como el fueron tocados por Dios para ofrecernos este alimento para el espiritú.

[@1929rubi]

Tienes razón querido Arturo

[@MusikPiratCH]

This rhythm just wonderful! :D

[@somaking77]

I love this recording and others like it, as a window into the past and different performance styles over the years. He's 79 in this recording - and an 18 year old in the audience would be 75 today. How amazing is the attention span of the audience!

[@mikejr41387]

omg what a treat. the sound is very good

[@michiok.2081]

What a truly masterful pianistic giant, he indeed is! All piano students should learn every aspect of this pianistic genius, particularly my compatriots who tend to emphasize bodily gestures and facial expressions, while distracting away from true pianistic essence and spirit.

[@jankawiorski]

Music from heaven, interpretation unique, but dresses of this Warsaw audience from the midst of the Sixties - unparalleled nowhere else.

[@SuperMegguy]

Sublime ..........

[@ronaldneale6169]

Absolutely Divine

[@nyc2cal902]

There is a video of Horowitz playing the Carnaval on KZbin when he was around the same age Rubinstein is in this video. No contest…this performance is amazing.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Here's the video, from Tokyo in 1983, when Vladi was ~ 79 years old: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmOvlaJ5qq-DbK8

[@j.vonhogen9650]

VH was suffering from side-effects of his medication at the time. I thought this was common knowledge, with all due respect. Anyway, there's indeed no comparison, due to VH's circumstances at the time of his infamous Tokyo performance.

[@hellbooks3024]

I agree with the principle: “ No contest.”

[@kimsahl8555]

Don't forget Rubinstein was just great for both Chopin + Schumann!

[@cemceliksirt2420]

thank you for sharing!

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Divina Sonata.

[@viviannemassoud1991]

Superbe les couleurs et surtout la musique relaxante de arthur rubinsten❤❤❤❤😂❤❤

[@MatiShemoeloff]

The mystery of life, great adaption...thank u so much

[@hdesertrat]

So nice to have the video perfectly synched with the audio.

[@carlmcluhan1995]

Watching his exercise in restraint: facially and interpretively. Such a different time indeed.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

And, where oh WHERE is there any sort of restraint, **ANYWHERE**, nowadays??

[@djmotise]

@@CLASSICALFAN100 It's there. Bertrand Chamayou for one. Not a single extemporaneous gesture or expression. There are others too. But not many.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

@@djmotise Many thanks, indeed! Here's a 1 hour recital by BC: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p17Ff3qPo5yXfsk

[@Gillie2tat]

@@CLASSICALFAN100 Andras Schiff and Murray Perahia too.

[@anthonyharris1038]

It's that restraint that lets the music live.

[@jonbaum]

Absolutely wonderful. Rubinstein was always in his element when playing in public. Both performances here are better than his commercial recordings. Is there a video of the second half of the concert?

[@GarthAstrology]

I feel like he was almost a completely different pianist live. Things that could sound stiff or stilted in the studio always came to life. After hearing him for the first time live I said "now I know why he's considered to be one of the greatest pianists of the century." You really had to hear him live to experience him fully.

[@mozart1751]

Love this sonata, grateful for this recording. Being Viennese I expect a certain style of Schubert's piano music, most renderings are not close to that but Rubinstein comes near though some of the schuber't's spirituality still falls victim to a Beethoven like interpretation.

[@faffyssimo]

Lo rivedo sul palco del Teatro Biondo....io avevo 16 anni e lui mi incantava...con le sue magiche mani...che non firmavano autografi....ma che accarezzavano dolcemente i capelli con un sorriso splendido....che annullava la mia delusione!!

[@faffyssimo]

I see him on the stage of the Teatro Biondo.... I was 16 years old and he enchanted me...with his magical hands...that did not sign autographs.... but that gently caressed the hair with a beautiful smile.... that canceled my disappointment!!

[@wolfgangklofat594]

Welch bezwingende musikalische Geschlossenheit!, ohne jegliches unangebrachtes pianistische Mätzchen!

[@user-ry6pp3js2b]

Yes, ..but sometimes we also need some different suits I really love the authentic and tidy 😊interpretations of Rubinstein

[@GarthAstrology]

Arthur Rubinstein is the personification of the Golden Mean.

[@mottenhund2012]

Einfach wunderbar!

[@berlinzerberus]

Gorgeous Carnaval! - One of the best I 've ever heard.

[@donaldallen1771]

Have you heard the Rachmaninoff recording of Carnaval? An example of what Garrick Ohlsson once told me: "No one played the piano like Rachmaninoff".

[@fpwalter6673]

@@donaldallen1771 -- Ohlsson knows Rachmaninoff the same way the rest of us do: via his recordings. He never heard him live (Rachmaninoff died in 1943; Ohlsson was born in 1948). Rachmaninoff's 78 rpm "Carnaval" has long been praised, as have Rubinstein's two studio recordings and several in-concert performances.

[@xartmanx]

Ohhhh, from 47:17 to 48:09 just sublime

[@el_fr9200]

C’est quelle morceau déjà svp?

[@gabrielgabriel8096]

This is the Piano Sound...in all its glory. Unlike so many scams...today. He was able to produce such a sound, among other things, because he applied all the weight From his Back. That's the ideal technique (the smartest). And also the best one in order to get such an enormous sound without getting tired... (at least, as minimum as possible).

[@eytonshalom]

till now i never cared for a recording of Carnaval, though i love schu...bravo..

[@jimc1466]

Love him always

[@richardwhitehouse8762]

This is very strange. It is, of course, wonderful to have life footage of this great musician and in such amazing sound. I wanted to be moved and yet somehow I wasn't. I have loved the Schubert for over 45 years and I have heard many performances. This is definitely better than his studio recording but still... There's something strange about late Schubert which interpreters have to find their way through. In this piece, for me at least, it lies in the gaps between the phrases and sometimes within the phrases (the trill interruptions in the first movement for instance). There is definitely no "one way" to do this and I have been moved by many, very different artists (Richter vs Uchida, for instance). When an interpretation works, what it gives me is an answer to this strangeness. I find lots to admire here, not least the sheer beauty of the sound and perfect voicing. But somehow the strangeness has been tamed by a kind of sovereign control. More German than Austrian. If this sounds like carping criticism, I apologise. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@opera93]

Thanks., great comment :maybe I can figure this out, though I am BEETHOVEN” Fan”.............

[@peterheiman8621]

My advice to those who focus so much on the wrong notes: pay attention to the music. Sometimes if you exert too much effort on not making mistakes you lose the music.

[@blancasusanamariles4655]

ME & Paderewski Statue Warsaw Poland (2005 ). Also, End of war

[@salvadorgiuggiareyes2029]

Considerado el pianista mejor de todos los tiempos .

[@alegal752]

Erano unici veri artisti ed interpreti. Un epoca persa ormai è tutto un vaccaio e sfilate di moda virtuose . W il 900

[@AlanMarcy]

I like pianists. The great and the stray, The big wooden box with metal strings. Some dance it into the sky : Audio gives me a taste. Paper cones and D Class amplifiers sneak much of the noises they make into ny room, I am attentive and quiet. :)

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

El primer pianista que escuche a los 7 años. ❤😂

[@recorderson]

awesome !

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

I hate the word "awesome", because it is meaningless. I hate the word "absolutely" almost as much, because everybody uses it, and it is EQUALLY meaningless...

[@ValseMelancolique]

What a treasure🥳🥳🥳

[@goodmanmusica]

Wow

[@nicolasvanpoucke.pianist]

Wow!

[@irmazunildapuig1829]

EL MEJOR PUANISTA DE TODA LA HISTORIA