Rubinstein's approach to the Pathetique is characteristic of his Beethoven playing: Tempos are sensible, avoiding extremes of speed or slowness; phrasing is devoid of artifice; pedalling is sparser than Beethoven's written indications, but many of Beethoven's contemoparies claim Beethoven over-pedalled; repeats are generally taken. Some purists will object to the way Rubinstein plays some of the grace notes and ornaments in the first movement, but there has been no conclusive evidence either way on the "correct" manner to handle them (Beethoven probably didn't care anyway).
This CD contains Rubinstein's only recording of the inescapable Moonlight Sonata. He performed it in public several times during the 1962-1963 season, and then dropped it from his repertoire. The first movement is played simply, even a little dryly, as is the second movement. But Rubinstein lets loose in the Finale, bringing the work to a stunning close. Nobody else could hit a piano that hard and still create such a beautiful sound.
The Appassionata was a favorite of Rubinstein's. He featured it in his earliest concert performances, played it almost to the end of his career, and recorded it three times. This recording is more successful than the previous two (the first was almost comically slapdash). Max Wilcox, the producer of the original recording, has noted that this was one of the few times Rubinstein became hampered in the recording studio, and many takes were required before Rubinstein was satisfied. But one could never guess that from listening to the resulting performance, it is totally organic and betrays no hint of being spliced together.
The Les Adieu Sonata rounds out the album, bringing a joyous conclusion to a wonderful recording.
RCA has remastered the sound, which was pretty good to begin with, with their usual attention to detail.
The "Pathetique" is a triumph of great sound and proportions, as well as the "Appassionata", but I think they both lack the sparkle of earlier recordings (vol. 10 and 14). The "Moonlight" sounds beautiful in its under-romanticism, and "Les Adieux" is probably the winner of the whole disc, with its lovely and passionate tone and clever use of rubato.
But these -- the Moonlight has none of the inwardness that makes the piece what it is (and so amazing in its historical context). The pedalling in the Apassionata in somewhat strange, and some of the tempi in the Pathetique awkward.
Wait for the re-release of Rubinstein doing the late Beethoven sonatas -- now those will be worth owning!Not Sure I can't tell if it is the recording or his actual playing that doesn't have enough dynamics. It sounded too soft for Beethoven's musics. I am a huge fan of Rubinstein on Chopin, so I easily believed he could play just anybody's work. Now I am not sure if it is the case. But I don't regret owning this cd. Afterall, Rubinstein is a legend.
