Johannes Brahms: Arthur Rubinstein plays... (ICA Classics Audio CD)

Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester
Christoph von Dohnányi, conductor


Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982), born in Poland, requires no introduction – he was one of the greatest and most distinguished pianists of the 20th century with a large discography. These performances have never been issued before. They have an historical importance in that after 1914, Rubinstein never played in Germany again and therefore to have him with a German orchestra (KRSO) in Zurich in 1966 was a very rare event. The fill-up containing performances from Nijmegen in the Netherlands, on the German border, from 1963, was also similarly aimed at a German audience. Rubinstein caught live in 1966 rather than in the studio brings a much greater spontaneity in the Brahms, which is beautifully and excitingly played without any technical problems associated with live concerts. The orchestra under its then Music Director, Christoph von Dohnanyi, on tour in Switzerland, brings a close collaboration to the partnership. The recital is the completion of the Nijmegen concert, the other part being issued on Medici Masters (MM029) to great critical acclaim.