Mazurkas – Rubinstein

« Paul and I initiated in Myths and the Concerto a new style, a new way of playing the violin. » Without Paul Kochanski, one of the greatest violinists of his time, Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) would he have written for the instrument, daring these escapes in the high-pitched, these well-known sound effects but which he was the first to use for expressive purposes and integrates in a form as free as it is rigorous? His “impressionism” would then have been limited to the orchestra and the piano, depriving us of these “three poems” (1915) and of this Concerto (1916) which, breaking with traditional virtuosity, is no less a poem - "Symphonic work with solo violin, which has the effect of a concerto". Two incandescent works, Dionysiac or opalescent, of a heady sensuality, inspired by ancient myths and, undoubtedly, by The Night of May, pantheist poem of Tadeusz Micinski where "ignites the fire of love". As war sets Europe ablaze, reclusive in his native Ukrainian mansion, Szymanowski relives his Mediterranean dazzles and remembers all that Diaghilev's musicians revealed to him.

From December on, "Arthur Rubinstein The Complete Album Collection" will be the world's biggest CD edition for a solo artist according to Guinness World Records (TM). It features all the legendary pianist's issued recordings made by RCA Victor between 1940 and 1976, and includes one LP issued on the DECCA label in 1978. The collection also includes the recordings Rubinstein made in England for the English label His Master's Voice (HMV) between 1928 and 1940, most of which were released in the United States by RCA on its Victor label. The collection includes complete studio and live performances, solo, concerto and chamber music repertoire in reproductions of original LP sleeves and labels, the earlier recordings, initially released on 78-rpm discs, appear in three sets with 14 CDs in the edition.

Never before have all Arthur Rubinstein albums been available together like this. Arthur Rubinstein – The Complete Album Collection features all of the legendary pianist’s issued recordings made by RCA Victor between 1940 and 1976, plus one recording issued on the DECCA label in 1978. Also included in this set are the recordings Rubinstein made in England for the His Master’s Voice (HMV) label between 1928 and 1940. As a bonus, this special package also has the sensational world-premiere release of two Carnegie Hall concerts recorded on December 8 and 10, 1961.

What release is this that can command such a gaudy price? Well, take another look: that's for 142 (!) CDs, which is what's necessary to compile-for the first time- every Arthur Rubinstein album ever released! One of the great poets of the piano, Rubinstein is heard here on every RCA Victor album he made from 1940-76, and also on one Decca album from 1978. Lastly, you'll hear the fine recordings he made in England for HMV between 1928 and 1940 plus the world-premiere release of two Carnegie Hall concerts from December 8 and 10, 1961 (featuring works by Debussy and Chopin).