The Grand Pianists

Two weeks ago I had a fascinating week bringing you the Grand Masters of the Cello, so I thought why not follow the same formula but for another instrument and its masters.  Now there are certainly more Grand Pianists than I can cover in a week, however I have chosen what I think are the most influential in the mastery of their art.  For sake of logical progression, I shall proceed in the order of their birth making the Arthur Rubenstein our initial Grand Pianist.  Here is how Wikipedia describes Rubenstein (in part):

Arthur Rubinstein, KBE (January 28, 1887 – December 20, 1982) was a Polish American classical pianist. He received international acclaim for his performances of the music written by a variety of composers and many regard him as the greatest Chopin interpreter of his time.[1][2] He was described by The New York Times as one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century.[1] He played in public for eight decades.[3]

Rubinstein was born in Łódź, Congress Poland (part of the Russian Empire for the entire time Rubinstein resided there) on January 28, 1887, to a Jewish family. He was the youngest of seven children of Felicja Blima Fajga (née Heiman) and Izaak Rubinstein. His father owned a small textile factory.[4][5]

Rubinstein's birth name was to be Leo, but his eight-year-old brother claimed that "His name must to be Arthur. Since Arthur X (a neighbor's son) plays the violin so nicely, the baby may also become a great musician!".[6] And so he was called Artur, although in English-speaking countries, he preferred to be known as Arthur Rubinstein. His United States impresario Sol Hurok, however, insisted he be billed as Artur, and records were released in the West under both versions of his name.[7]

At the age of two, Rubinstein demonstrated perfect pitch and a fascination with the piano, watching his elder sister's piano lessons. By the age of four, he was recognised as a child prodigy. His father had a predilection for the violin and offered Rubinstein a violin; but Rubinstein rejected it because he thought his instinct was for harmony and polyphony. The Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, on hearing the four-year-old child play, was greatly impressed, told Arthur's family :"This boy may become a very great musician—he certainly has the talent for it... When the time comes for serious study, bring him to me, and I shall be glad to supervise his artistic education." On December 14, 1894, seven-year-old Arthur Rubinstein had his debut with pieces by Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn.[6][8]

At the age of ten, Rubinstein moved to Berlin to continue his studies, and gave his first performance with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1900, at the age of 13.[1] Joseph Joachim recommended Karl Heinrich Barth as the boy's piano teacher. As a student of Barth, Rubinstein inherited a renowned pedagogical lineage: Barth was himself a pupil of Liszt, who had been taught by Czerny, who had in turn been a pupil of Beethoven.[1]

 

....

 

Rubinstein died in his sleep at his home in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 20, 1982, at the age of 95, and his body was cremated.^[1] On the first anniversary of his death, an urn holding his ashes was buried in Jerusalem—as specified in his will—in a dedicated plot now dubbed "Rubinstein Forest" overlooking the Jerusalem Forest.   

 

"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back..." "People are always setting conditions for happiness... I love life without condition."
— Arthur Rubinstein^[23]

 

The documentary footage posted below is from the 50's and features Rubenstein in his home as well as concert appearances and conversations with him. The companion piece I have chosen for my tumblr is Rubenstein's last public performance in 1975 at The Last Concert for Israel Benefit Recital. It is the only full recital performance he ever allowed to be recorded in his lifetime.

Your daily dose of man candy is available for cruising in this edition of Monday's Undies down below and in the Hottie of the Day! over on my tumblr. Thanks for the visit, stop in tomorrow to find out who is the next of our Grand Pianists. Until next time as always, Enjoy!