Anton Rubinstein - Piano Quartets (Leslie Howard)

Information

Composer: Anton Rubinstein

1. Piano Quartet in F major, Op. 55bis: 1. Allegro non troppo
2. Piano Quartet in F major, Op. 55bis: 2. Scherzo: Allegro assai
3. Piano Quartet in F major, Op. 55bis: 3. Andante con moto
4. Piano Quartet in F major, Op. 55bis: 4. Allegro appassionato
5. Piano Quartet in C major, Op. 66: 1. Allegro moderato
6. Piano Quartet in C major, Op. 66: 2. Allegro vivace
7. Piano Quartet in C major, Op. 66: 3. Andante assai
8. Piano Quartet in C major, Op. 66: 4. Allegro non troppo ma con fuoco

Leslie Howard, piano
Rita Manning, violin
Morgan Goff, viola
Justin Pearson, cello
Date: 2013
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA68018

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Reviews

Having dealt comprehensively with Liszt (99 CDs for Hyperion), the indefatigable Leslie Howard has been espousing Anton Rubinstein, one of the few pianists whose energy and dash even Liszt admired: he once encouraged a timid student, ‘Play it more like Rubinstein’. Howard has this sense of warmth and energy that characterises Rubinstein even when, as can happen with a composer who wrote so much and so effortlessly, these qualities sometimes overtake actual quality and originality of invention. But though there are passages where this could be said of the F major Quartet, Op 55, Howard brings it all off enthusiastically; and Rubinstein does not disappoint with his melodic gift when it comes to the fruity tune in the Trio of the Scherzo. This is, incidentally, the first recording of the string version which Rubinstein made from the original Quintet with wind instruments.

The recording of the later C major Piano Quartet, Op 66, also appears to be the first, – surprisingly, as Rubinstein himself often played it. It is certainly the more accomplished work and contains much of Rubinstein’s character – the emotional energy, but also the keyboard virtuosity, the melodic charm, and the capacity for the entertainingly unexpected. Howard, who contributes a helpful booklet essay, understands the music and is excellently supported by the strings in a recording that gives the soloist some precedence but does not obscure the old lion’s understanding of string textures.

-- John Warrack, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.classical-music.com/review/rubinstein-oct-14
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Sep14/Rubinstein_quartets_CDA68018.htm
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/01/rubinstein-piano-quartets-review
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalcdreviews/10803764/Rubinstein-Piano-Quartets-review-passion-and-bravura.html
http://www.audaud.com/anton-rubinstein-piano-quartet-in-f-major-piano-quartet-in-c-major-leslie-howard-p-rita-manning-v-morgan-goff-viola-justin-pearson-cello-hyperion/
http://www.allmusic.com/album/rubinstein-piano-quartets-mw0002645404
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rubinstein-Piano-Quartet-Major-Op/dp/B00ITYHC46
http://www.amazon.com/Rubinstein-Piano-Quartets-Rita-Manning/dp/B00ITYHC46

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Anton Grigorevich Rubinstein (November 28 [O.S.November 16] 1829 – November 20 [O.S. November 8] 1894) was a Russian pianist, composer and conductor who became a pivotal figure in Russian culture when he founded the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He was the elder brother of Nikolai Rubinstein who founded the Moscow Conservatory. As a pianist, Rubinstein ranks amongst the great 19th-century keyboard virtuosos. Rubinstein was also a prolific composer throughout much of his life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Rubinstein

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Leslie Howard (born 29 April 1948) is an Australian pianist and composer. He is best known for being the only pianist to have recorded the complete solo piano works of Franz Liszt, a project which included more than 300 premiere recordings. In addition to his Liszt project, Leslie Howard's recordings include works by many other composers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Howard_(musician)

http://www.leslie-howard.com/

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