Brahms: Piano Quartet, Op. 60 / Piano Quintet, Op. 34

On this CD:

1. Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor ("Werther"), Op. 60
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by La Gaia Scienza

2. Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34a
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by La Gaia Scienza

Customer Reviews:

The "Clinker" of the bunch.......2006-12-19

Having collected the entire "The Masterworks" series (including the Bach and Mozart Complete Works) this set is the 'clinker' of the bunch. First off... 6 CD's of Lieder 'historic' (pre-historic) recordings. No Overtures, No Orchestral Seranades, No Haydn Variations?? The performances of the Symphonies and the Concertos are shakey and not very well recorded. Brilliant Classics, who has done such a wonderful job with the Hadyn Complete Symphonies (licensed from Nimbus), the Mozart and Bach Complete sets, has stumbled a bit with this release.

Average customer rating:

It's only snippets of the music!

Classical Music 101

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B0002XEECK
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Adagio - Baroque Chamber Orchestra
Air On The G String - Festival Strings Lucerne
Mvmt. III - Festival Strings Lucerne
Aria - Peter Serkin
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Norman Luboff Choir
Toccata & Fugue In D Minor - Philadelphia Orchestra
Adagio For Strings - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Mvmt. I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Mvmt. IV - New York Philharmonic
Fur Elise - Nellie Kokinos
Turkish March - Arthur Fiedler
'Moonlight' Sonata - Jorg Demus
March To The Scaffold - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Rakoczy March - Arthur Fiedler
Habanera/Toreador Song - Arthur Fiedler
Minuet - Arthur Fiedler
Polovtsian Dance No.17 - Arthur Fiedler
Hungarian Dance No.5 - London Festival Orchestra
Lullaby - Arthur Fiedler
Minute Waltz - Geza Anda
Grande Valse Brillante - Geza Anda
Marche Funebre - Emanuel Ax
Simple Gifts - Copland
Fanfare For The Common Man - Philadelphia Orchestra
Clair De Lune - Arthur Fiedler
Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun - Philadelphia Orchestra
Flower Duet - Philharmonia Virtuosi
Mvmt II. Going Home Theme - Arthur Fiedler
The Sorcerer's apprentice - Philadelphia Orchestra
March No.1 - Arthur Fiedler
Ritual Fire Dance - Arthur Fiedler
Pavane - National Philharmonic
Rhapsody In Blue - Arthur Fiedler
An American In Paris - Arthur Fiedler
Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
Piano Concerto In A Minor - Kjel Baekkelund
Morning - Philadelphia Orchestra
Hallelujah Chorus - Royal Philharmonic Chorus
Alla Hornpipe - Festival Strings Lucerne
Mvmt. II - English Chamber Orchestra
Mars - Philadelphia Orchestra
Sabre Dance - Arthur Fiedler
Vesti La Giubba - Placido Domingo
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 - Philadelphia Orchestra
Liebestraum No.3 - Arthur Fiedler
Intermezzo - National Philharmonic
Wedding March - Philadelphia Orchestra
Mvmt. IV - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Rondeau - U.K. Symphony
Andante - Geza Anda
Mvmt. I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Overture - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Rondo Alla Turca - Walter Hautzig
Mvmt. I - English Chamber Orchestra
A Night On Bald Mountain - Philadelphia Orchestra
Great Gate Of Kiev - Philadelphia Orchestra
Barcarolle - Arthur Fiedler
Theme II (Can Can) - Arthur Fiedler
O Fortuna - New England Conservatory Chorus
Canon - Baroque Chamber Orchestra
Montagues & Capulets - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Lt. Kije's Wedding - Arthur Fiedler
Nessun Dorma - Jussi Bjorling
Mvmt. III - Rome Opera Chorus
Mvmt. III. Opening - London Symphony Orchestra
Var. 18 - Leonard Pennario
Bolero - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Flight Of The Bumblebee - Arthur Fiedler
Adagio - Julian Beam
Overture/Largo Al Factotum - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Theme II - Arthur Fiedler
Danse Macabre - Philadelphia Orchestra
Gymnopedie No.1 - National Philharmonic
Symphony No.8 'Unfinished' - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Ave Maria - Robert Shaw Chorale
Finle - Morton Gould & His Orchestra
Valse Triste - Finnish Radio Orchestra
Stars & Stripes Forever - Arthur Fiedler
Semper Fidelis - Arthur Fiedler
Blue Danube Waltz - Arthur Fiedler
Tales From The Vienna Woods - Arthur Fiedler
Fanfare - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Infernal Dance & Main Theme - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Waltz Of The Flowers - Arthur Fiedler
Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
Theme II - Philadelphia Orchestra
Opening - Barry Douglas
Finale - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Fantasia On Greensleeves - Philadelphia Orchestra
Grand March - Arthur Fiedler
Anvil Chorus - Rome Opera Chorus
Libiamo (Drinking Song) - Carlo Bergonzi
Die Irae - Chicago Symphony Chorus
Rigoletto - Placido Domingo
Allegro - Jose-Luis Garcia
Largo - Jose-Luis Garcia
Bridal Chorus - Robert Shaw Chorale
Ride Of The Valkyries - Philadelphia Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

It's only snippets of the music!.......2006-02-12

This CD only contains 30-60 second long snippets of each of the pieces. It could be a teaching tool but is not something you can just put on to listen. It does contain reference to popular TV and Film works that contain the music.

Brahms: Piano Quartet Op. 60; Piano Quintet Op. 34

Average customer rating:

Brahms: Piano Quartet Op. 60; Piano Quintet Op. 34

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0000CEONB
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

I: Allegro Non Troppo
II: Andante, Up Poco Adagio
III: Scherzo (Allegro)
IV: Finale (Poco Sostenuto - Allegro Non Troppo)
I: Allegro Non Troppo
II: Scherzo. Allegro
III: Andante
IV: Finale. Allegro Comodo

The Life and Works of Antonín Dvorák, Narration with Musical Excerpts

Average customer rating:

An Extraordinary User-Friendly Multimedia Dvorák Biography

The Life and Works of Antonín Dvorák, Narration with Musical Excerpts

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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The Life and Works of Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
The Life and Works of Franz Schubert
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ASIN: B0001HOXLO
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Tracks:

Slavonic Dance In G Minor, Op.46 No.8/Childhood, Boyhood, Youth
Symphony No.8 In G, Op.88 (Mvt 3: Allegretto Grazioso - Molto Vivace)
A Secret Life: Early Manhood, Determination And First Love
Cypresses, B.152 (No.3: When Thy Sweet Glances)
A Change Of Job, Marriage And Increasing Success
Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.10 (Mvt 1: Allegro Moderato)
Hope, Grief And Sublimation/Stabat Mater, Op.58 (Quando Corpus Morietur)
International Celebrity And Deceptive Simplicity
Serenade In E For Strings, Op.22 (Mvt 2: Walzer)
A New Championing, A New Friendship: Brahms Weighs In
String Quartet In D Minor, Op.34 (Mvt 1: Allegro)

Tracks:

A Populist Commission
Slavonic Dance In C, Op.46 No.1
An Amateur Pianist's Dream
Slavonic Dance In A, Op.46 No.5
A Token Of Gratitude
Serenade For Wind Instruments, Op.44 (Mvt 1: Moderato, Quasi Marcia)
An Explosion Of Popularity - On Both Sides Of The Atlantic
Romance In F Minor For Violin And Orchestra, Op.11
Personal Glimpses: The Outer Man
Symphony No.6 In D, Op.60 (Mvt 1: Allegro Non Tanto)
The Anti-Czech Stance Of Vienna
Piano Trio In F Minor, Op.65 (Mvt 3: Poco Adagio)
Dvorak In London
Vysoka: A New Home, A Simple Life
The Second London Visit
Symphony No.7 In D Minor, Op.70 (Mvt 1: Allegro Maestoso)
Dvorak The Conductor
Czech Suite, Op.39 (Preludium: Pastorale)
London, Birmingham - And Brighton Belles
Dvorak The Czech
Symphony No.6 In D, Op.60 (Mvt 3: Scherzo: Furiant)

Tracks:

Discord With Simrock
Slavonic Dances In A For Piano Duet, Op.72 No.15
'Orchestra!'
Slavonic Dance In B, Op.72 No.1
Dvorak In Leeds
Piano Quintet In A, Op.81 (Mvt 3: Finale: Allegro Con Brio)
Dvorak And Tchaikovsky
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: (Act III: Polonaise)
Dvorak In Russia
Schezo Capriccioso, Op.66
Dvorak The Teacher
Mozart: Symphony No.29 In A, K.201 (Mvt 4: Allegro Con Spirito)
Dvorak In Cambridge
Dvorak In New York
String Quartet In F, Op.96 ('American' - Mvt 1: Allegro Ma Non Troppo)

Tracks:

Dvorak In Iowa
Sonatian In G For Violin And Piano, Op.100 (Mvt 2: Larghetto)
Niagara Falls
Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95 ('From The New World' - Mvt 1: Adagio - Allegro Molto)
The Dark Side
Cello Concerto In B Minor, Op.104 (Mvt 3: Finale: Allegro Moderato - Andante - Allegro Vivo)
Home Again
Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95 ('From The New World' - Mvt 4: Allegro Con Fuoco)
The Death Of Brahms And A Change Of Direction
A Hero's Song, Op.111
The Return To Opera
Rusalka (Act I: Song To The Moon)
Distraction, Disappointment And Death
Symphony No.6 In D, Op.60 (Mvt 4: Finale: Allegro Con Spirito)

Customer Reviews:

An Extraordinary User-Friendly Multimedia Dvorák Biography.......2004-04-28

I have followed with interest the series of CDs explaining popular operas by Jeremy Siepmann, an American musicologist long resident in Britain. Each of those is a single CD with a spoken text interspersed with longish excerpts from the opera in question. This 4-CD set, though, is something else again. It is a combination of music/audio CDs with superimposed CD-ROM material (on the same discs). One plays the audio portion on your regular stereo equipment. When put in your PC or Mac CD drive, the CD-ROM portion of the discs brings up an extensive set of hyperlinked text materials as well as links to the CDs from which the musical examples are taken (all from the Naxos music recordings library, of course). Also included in the CD-ROM material is the full text of Siepmann's detailed biography of Dvorák. There is also a thick booklet that includes cast lists (various actors playing various important people in Dvorák's life), an extensive essay about the sociopolitical and cultural conditions extant during Dvorák's life, an longish essay about his major works and their significance, a graded listening plan, an article outlining recommended reading, biographical snippets about each of the important people in Dvorák's life, a chronological calendar of Dvorák's life, and an extensive glossary of musical and other pertinent terms.

Siepmann's four-and-a-half-hour exploration of Dvorák's life and works is in his wonted polished, often witty, prose. It is read gracefully by Siepmann himself. Dvorák is played by the suave-voiced British actor, Sean Barrett. The musical examples are extensive, often including complete movements, arias, etc., and are placed expertly within the flow of the text. Production values for this budget-priced set are quite high.

I will admit that I had a particular interest in this production as I grew up in a rural Oklahoma town settled by Bohemians (Czechs) and came to love some of Dvorák's music before even that of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. I've already recommended this set to the public schools and town library in my hometown.

I am not quite sure who the intended audience for this set is. Presumably there are those, like me, who are insatiable when it comes to increasing their knowledge of classical music, its composers and their sociocultural milieu. One also imagines that even in these days of decreasing support for music and music appreciation courses in our schools, there are teachers who could make wonderful use of this material for their students. Whoever the audience is, I cannot imagine a listener coming away from this set without a great deal more information and appreciation for the genius of Antonin Dvorák.

Recommended.

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor, Op.23 - Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra,
Nocturne in F Sharp Major, Op. 15/2 - Yuri Rozum
Gondoliera - Peter Schmalfuss
Bird as Prophet, From Waldszenen - Peter Schmalfuss
Romance in B Flat Major for Clarinet and Piano - Peter Schmalfuss
Valse Nonchalante, Op.110 - Isabel Mourao
Venetian Gondola Song Op. 30/6 - Peter Schmalfuss
"The Seasons" Op.37a: June Barcarola
Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11 Rondo (Excerpt) - Ida Cernicka, Slovak Philharmonic
Last Spring - Stefan Jeschko
An de Prinage (Excerpt)/Premi Ann II au Lac de Wallenstadt - Peter Schmalfuss
Fantasia Piece, Op. 73, No. 1/Tender With Expression - Peter Schmalfuss
Valse Nnoble, No.3 - Isabel Mourao
Prde in G Major, Op. 28/3 - Bianca Sitzius
Chant Sans Paroles in F Major, Op. 2/2 - Yuri Rozum
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in a Major: I Adagio ...
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in a Major: III Allegro ...
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in a Major: VI Allegro Animato

Tracks:

Piano Concerto in a Minor, Op.54: I Allegro Affectuoso (Expert) - Marian Lapsansky, Slovak Philharmonic
Consolation No. 3 in D Flat Major - Sylvia Capova
Barcarolle in F Sharp Major, Op. 60 - Yuri Rozum
Waltz No. 14 in F Major, Op. 9b, D. 365 - Peter Schmalfuss
Piano Concerto in a Minor, Op. 16 Allegro Molto Moderato (Excerpt) - Marian Lapsansky, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Valse Sentimentale, Op. 51/6 - Yuri Rozum
Berceuse in D Flat Major, Op. 57, "Lullaby" - Peter Schmalfuss
Weird Dreams, From "Fantasia Pieces", Op. 12 - Peter Schmalfuss
Waltz in a Flat Major, From "Eight Waltzers" Op.39 - Isabel Mourao
Spinners Song, Op. 67 - Peter Schmalfuss
Transcriptions from Schubert Songs: Ave Maria, Op. 52, No. 4 - Yuri Rozum
Piano Trio in E Flat Major, Op. 100, D.929: II Andante Con Moto
Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op.22: II Polonaise Allegro Molto - Bianca Sitzius

Average customer rating:

Fervor and passion reign in this recording
Not many people's Brahms

Brahms: Piano Quartet, Op. 60 / Piano Quintet, Op. 34

Manufacturer: Winter & Winter
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005CCZ0
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

Qt in c, Op.60: Allegro Non Troppo
Qt in c, Op.60: Scherzo, Allegro
Qt in c, Op.60: Andante
Qt in c, Op.60: Finale, Allegro Comodo
Qnt in f, Op.34: Allegro Non Troppo
Qnt in f, Op.34: Andante, Un Poco Adagio
Qnt in f, Op.34: Scherzo, Allegro
Qnt in f, Op.34: Finale, Poco Sostenuto/Allegro Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

Fervor and passion reign in this recording.......2005-06-06

Unlike the previous commentator, I knew exactly what I was buying: period piano, period strings etc., when I hastened to make my purchase. Well, a period piano in this case means that it was the kind of piano that Brahms knew and loved and wrote his music for. The pianist in this recording was more than adequate and the string players easily achieved a balance with her both in expression and in the actual sound. The texture is transparent and the expression both dramatic and natural. Try the scherzo movement from the quintet: the performance sounding beautiful and brutal at the same time, or, in terms of high romanticism, sublime.

Not many people's Brahms.......2004-06-16

This CD features an Italian period group doing a couple of Brahms more famous pieces of chamber music, the Op. 60 quartet and Op. 34 piano quintet. This group has some passion and a little Brahmsian fervor, but no one will confuse them for an old time Brahms band. The period piano becomes very apparent in the first two movements of the quintet and its narrow tune gets in the way of enjoying the music. I listened to the Amazon excerpts before buying and did not realize this was a period group using a period piano. It was not apparent in the quartet. This is ultimately an unsatisfying effort by this group. In addition, the packaging leaves a very great deal to be desired. The CD comes in a hard cardboard box in an insert. There are no notes whatsoever and a four sheet foldout on the inside only offers some insipid quotes in English and Italian and some documentattion on the recording and instruments used by the players. For a full price CD listing at $18.98 in an era of downloads and the worldwide used CD aftermarket, you don't really get very much with this offering. The playing is secure but almost nothing else is up to snuff in the rest of this offering. Steer clear, I'd say.

Average customer rating:

500 Classic Masterpieces

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Inventions | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00008FZWM
Release Date: 1992-11-04

The Rubinstein Collection (Limited Edition) [Box Set]

Average customer rating:

There were greater talents.
This Is No Lesson in Economics...
CLASSICAL MUSIC AT ITS MOST EXPENSIVE (AND BEST)
It's actually not so expensive
A Superb Reissue

The Rubinstein Collection (Limited Edition) [Box Set]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00001O2XZ
Release Date: 1999-10-26

Amazon.com

A retail price of $1,600 for a box set? Granted, it's not something most of us can afford. But, for piano buffs and fans of Artur Rubinstein, this mammoth limited-edition 94-CD set might be an investment to consider. For starters, BMG has collected all of the approved studio recordings of Rubinstein (including 200 or so that have never been on CD) and added a handful of previously unreleased recordings and some interviews. The lot has been remastered for this collection using the latest technology (RCA's disc-and-a-half Highlights sampler actually showcases some of the more dramatic remasterings)--a good thing, when you consider that many of these master tapes have a lifetime's worth of surface noise. You get a lavishly illustrated book with essays and photographs and a nice case to store the works; everything but the credit plan is included, really. Of course, it's up to you to decide whether you want 706 recordings of 347 pieces played by the same great pianist. And, though owning Rubinstein's three complete cycles of Beethoven's concertos might sound tempting, will you really listen to each of them? Probably not, but if you need 'em, here they are. (His Chopin cycles, on the other hand, you will listen to repeatedly!) It's easily one of the most impressive and comprehensive box sets that classical music has seen: a true career overview with excellent remastering and handsome packaging that reflects the collection's price tag (unlike some box sets that are just that: CDs in boxes). Do you need it? Probably not. Will you want it? You bet. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

There were greater talents........2005-05-30

I must confess that I hate Rubinstein's sound as a pianist, but his dedication and verve were notable. Think though of Claudio Aurru's gifts, remarkable... I feel that to love Rubinstein one must love a world of safe emotional borders and sameness; sorry A.R fans. jb

This Is No Lesson in Economics..........2004-10-10

It is a natural tendency when reviewing items in this price-point to contemplate cost-effectiveness first and foremost. Considering that CDs have no nutritional value and cannot keep kids off crack, I am uncomfortable recognizing, much less crossing, some line in the sand where space ordinarily reserved for record-reviews must yield to amateur musings on the evils of conspicuous consumption or macroeconomic conceptions of social justice. Let's assume for the moment that this box set is free, removing from our purview the materialistic thrill or global economic blight one might seek and/or wish to stave off in purchasing it.

Rubinstein's "official" recorded output is astounding. It spans 5 decades, and encompasses significant forays into the oeuvre of dozens of composers. Though technique is generally expected to decline with age, few pianists live to be 96 years old. Rubinstein the pianist and Rubinstein the musician reached their highest collective summit when Rubinstein the man was well into his 60s. The "late-bloomer" aspect of his career places a considerable quorum of his most polished recordings squarely within the stereo era. Some of this material had made its way onto CD prior to this release, most notably his Chopin. Unfortunately, Rubinstein's well-deserved public acclaim as Chopin's supreme torchbearer unjustly limits his reputation along "expresio unius est exclusio alterius" lines. For example, though Rubinstein chose to record only a small handful of Beethoven sonatas, it is doubtful that one might hear them better played, even by his Beethoven specialist contemporaries Schnabel and Kempff. Rubinstein also ardently championed French and Spanish music, and is said to have loved performing Brahms most of all. This release places many of his most accomplished recordings before the ears of the listening public for the first time since their original release on vinyl.

I am frequently intoxicated by the earliest recordings from the 30s and 40s. Some of them, like his first traversal of the Chopin scherzi, are bite-your-nails-til-they-bleed thrilling. On the other hand, the initial limitations of the recording process required this (and every) pianist to make bothersome compromises with respect to tempi and dynamics at times. Ultimately, it comes down to personal taste. I am more consistently drawn to Rubinstein the wise-master than Rubinstein the young Turk.

RCA invested undisclosed sums of time and money into restoring, remixing, and remastering all of the recordings for this release. Some of the earlier recordings have been available on CD for quite some time (e.g. Chopin's Op. 28 Preludes, the Ormandy/Philadelphia Grieg concerto). Despite the intervention of acoustical restorationist-par-excellence Ward Marston, the remastering undertaken in the course of this project has not dramatically improved the sound on these releases. Short of traveling several decades into the past and placing more sensitive microphones in more strategic locations, there was probably little else that could have been done. Marston's brilliance is far more obvious in restoring to near original luster many deteriorating tape recordings from the late 40s and early 50s. The stereo recordings also sound fuller.

I am pleased with my purchase because having access (and, most importantly, having listened to) all of these recordings is a moving experience. It allows me to contemplate this extraordinary artist as a man, whose performance is inevitably colored by the accumulation of experience, the expanding flexibility of the recording process, the onset of maturity, and (perhaps sadly) declining physical powers. There are multiple recordings of most pieces in this collection, but I rarely find it difficult to cull a favorite among them. At this point, I play some of the records frequently, and others rarely. If your aim is to hear Rubinstein at his best, this set provides the resources you need to make what are at turns obvious, and others hopelessly personal choices. This set includes detailed (and mostly newly written) liner notes for each record as a well as an engaging hardcover book providing no fewer than 3 complete indices to the recordings (by date of recording, Composer, and Volume number). The box itself is a work of art, looks stunning on a shelf, and never requires polishing. Most of the 81 volumes are sold separately, and have been made available for download on the Apple Music Store.

While I will not claim that Rubinstein's interpretations are equally effective, I cannot think of any other pianist, now living or forever deceased, who could approach such a broad repertoire with the unwaivering technical finesse and prophetic musicianship evident in the bulk of his recorded output. If you never see the likes of a "Rubinstein Collection" on the shelf again, do not dismiss it as another textbook illustration of price elasticity. To do so is to dwell on on the vagaries of consumerism when the more important issue is that the next Rubinstein may never be.

CLASSICAL MUSIC AT ITS MOST EXPENSIVE (AND BEST).......2003-05-30

You have two choices: Starve the kids or skip the mortgage payments for a month or two. How else can you afford this 94 (!) disc set that captures every studio recording the classical icon ever recorded. Trust us: The kids are fat enough.

It's actually not so expensive.......2001-06-06

Provided you have the time, listening to thi