Rachmaninov; Falla; Chopin - Works for Piano & Orchestra (Arthur Rubinstein)

Information

Composer: Sergei Rachmaninov; Manuel de Falla; Frédéric Chopin

• Rachmaninov - Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
• Falla - Nights in the Gardens of Spain
• Chopin - Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise, Op. 22

Artur Rubinstein, piano

Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Fritz Reiner

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra / Enrique Jordá

Symphony of the Air / Alfred Wallenstein

Date: 1956, 1957, 1958 / 1997

Label: RCA

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Sergei Rachmaninov (1 April [O.S. 20 March] 1873 – 28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor. He is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music. His music was influenced by Tchaikovsky, Arensky and Taneyev. Rachmaninov wrote five works for piano and orchestra: four concertos and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. He also composed a number of works for orchestra alone, including three symphonies, the Symphonic Dances Op. 45, and four symphonic poems.

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Manuel de Falla (23 November 1876 – 14 November 1946) was a leading Spanish composer of the early 20th century. After relocating to Paris in 1907, he came under the influence of Debussy, Dukas and Ravel. Upon his return to Madrid in 1914, he produced major works including El amor brujo, El sombrero de tres picos, and Noches en los jardines de España, solidifying his international reputation. In later years in Granada, he composed El retablo de Maese Pedro and a Harpsichord Concerto, reflecting his shift toward a neoclassical style. Falla spent his final years in Mallorca and subsequently in Argentina.

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Frédéric Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) was a Polish Romantic composer and virtuoso pianist. A prodigy from Warsaw, he moved to Paris at 21, where he spent the rest of his short life. Although often in poor health, he produced a remarkable body of piano-centered works, including nocturnes, mazurkas, waltzes, polonaises, études and two piano concertos. His music, which is known for technical brilliance and innovative harmony, helped shape musical nationalism and late-Romantic style. Chopin's iconic status, dramatic life, and early death made him one of the enduring symbols of the Romantic era.

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Arthur Rubinstein (28 January 1887 – 20 December 1982) was a Polish-American pianist. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time, he received international acclaim for his performances of the music written by a variety of composers and many regard him as one of the greatest Chopin interpreters of his time. Although best known as a recitalist and concerto soloist, Rubinstein was also considered an outstanding chamber musician. He played in public for eight decades and recorded much of the core piano repertoire. All of his RCA Victor recordings have been reissued and amount to about 107 hours of music.

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