BEETHOVEN Concerto for Violin and Orchestra - Hilary Hahn, violin

Arthur Rubinstein - His Music and His Life

QUICK FACTS

NAME

Art Rubinstein

OCCUPATION

Pianist

BIRTH DATE

January 28, 1887

DEATH DATE

December 20, 1982

EDUCATION

The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Warsaw Conservatory

PLACE OF BIRTH

Lodz, Poland

PLACE OF DEATH

Geneva, Switzerland

AKA

Art Rubinstein

FULL NAME

Arthur Rubinstein

• SYNOPSIS
• EARLY LIFE
• CRITICAL ACCLAIM
• LATER CAREER

• CITE THIS PAGE

IN THESE GROUPS

• FAMOUS POLISH PEOPLE
• FAMOUS THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY IN JERUSALEM ALUMNI
• FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO DIED IN 1982
• FAMOUS PIANISTS

Art Rubinstein Biography

Pianist(1887–1982)

Art Rubinstein was a famous Polish pianist who is regarded by many as the greatest Chopin interpreter of the 20th century.

Synopsis

Arthur Rubinstein was born on January 28, 1887, in Lodz, Poland. He began playing the piano at the age of 3. After a lukewarm reception to his American tour, he took a hiatus and emerged 4 years later to critical acclaim. He toured the world, playing revolutionary interpretations of Chopin, until he was forced to retire from partial blindness. He died on December 20, 1982, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Early Life

Pianist Arthur Rubinstein was born in Lodz, Poland, on January 28, 1887. He began playing piano at the age of 3, and made his first public performance when he was just 7. One year later, Rubinstein's mother took him to meet violinist Joseph Joachim in Berlin. Awed by the child prodigy, Joachim agreed to provide his musical education. He introduced Rubinstein to Heinrich Barth. Three years later, the young pianist debuted with the Berlin Philharmonic at the Beethoven Saal, where his performance of Mozart, Chopin and Schumann earned reviews praising his sophistication and maturity. In 1906, he made his American debut at Carnegie Hall, where he received a cool reception. Nevertheless, he completed a 75-concert tour of the United States Rubinstein, discouraged by poor critiques, moved to Paris and took a 4-year hiatus.

Critical Acclaim

In 1914, Rubinstein moved from Paris to Spain, where he was praised for his passionate and charismatic performances. His time in Spain led to an extended tour in South America. He later returned to Paris where he lived as a socialite, befriending artists including Cocteau and Picasso. He had a reputation as a hilarious extrovert and a grand storyteller.

In 1932, he married Aniela Mlynarski, who was nearly half his age. Their relationship inspired him to settle down and take himself seriously as an artist. After the birth of their first child, Rubinstein began practicing from 12 to 16 hours per day. In 1937, he returned to Carnegie Hall. This time, audiences embraced him. He was heralded as a genius for his interpretation of Chopin's work, which critics saw as a creative revolution.

Later Career

As World War II began, Rubinstein moved his family to Los Angeles, California. In 1946, he became an American citizen. He toured the world, and his performance in Warsaw garnered a unanimous ovation, the second ever in Polish history.

Sadly, Rubinstein lost his family in Lodz, Poland, during the war. Afterwards, he publicly supported Israel. He was honored with a professorship at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Yale, Brown, Rutgers and Harvard also awarded him honorary degrees. He continued to perform until partial blindness forced his retirement in 1976. The same year, he received the United States Medal of Freedom. He died on December 20, 1982, in Geneva, Switzerland. His wife and their four children survived him.

Making music is like ...

QUOTE

“Making music is like making love: the act is always the same, but each time is different.” Arthur Rubinstein, pianist

Can you name the piece ...

... by listening to just the first second?

We've trimmed some of the greatest pieces of classical music down to just the opening few notes. Can you still recognise them? You'll hear each clip twice…

Created by Classic FM on December 8, 2015

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Left in tears ...

This soloist was left in tears after an emotional performance of ‘Schindler’s List’

By Classic FM London

Schindler's list - John Williams - NL orchestra

04:49

7K

This musician thought she might never be able to play her instrument again, but then she made it through this heart-wrenching performance of ‘Schindler’s List’.

Cor anglais player Davida Scheffers has a painful neuromuscular condition which disrupted her career as a musician.

Despite her fear that she might never be able to play with a professional orchestra again, Davida’s dream was to play with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra.

And last year, she managed it.

In a performance with the orchestra, Davida managed to play the entire cor anglais solo from John Williams’ Schindler’s List, before bursting into tears during Simone Lamsma’s solo on violin.

It was a powerful moment that affected both the audience and orchestra. Look out for Davida’s daughter in the audience, who had just turned 18 that day.

Well done, Davida – what a remarkable achievement!