Anton Rubinstein - Piano Works (Leslie Howard)

Information

Composer: Anton Rubinstein

CD1

1. Deux Mélodies, Op. 3: No. 1 in F major
2. Deux Mélodies, Op. 3: No. 2 in B major
3. Deux Morceaux, Op. 30: No. 1 in F minor
4. Deux Morceaux, Op. 30: No. 2 in D minor
5. Barcarolle No. 2 in A minor, Op. 45b
6. Barcarolle No. 3 in G minor, Op. 50 No. 3
7. Barcarolle No. 4 in G major
8. Fantaisie in E minor, Op. 77: 1. Adagio - Allegro con fuoco
9. Fantaisie in E minor, Op. 77: 2. Moderato assai
10. Fantaisie in E minor, Op. 77: 3. Allegro molto - Moderato - Allegro molto - Poco meno mosso - Presto
11. Fantaisie in E minor, Op. 77: 4. Molto lento - Vivace assai - Tempo rubato - Quasi presto

CD2

1. Trois Caprices, Op. 21: No. 1 in F sharp major
2. Trois Caprices, Op. 21: No. 2 in D minor
3. Trois Caprices, Op. 21: No. 3 in E flat major
4. Trois Serenades, Op. 22: No. 1 in F major
5. Trois Serenades, Op. 22: No. 2 in G minor
6. Trois Serenades, Op. 22: No. 3 in E flat major
7. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Theme. Lento - Allegro moderato
8. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var I. Allegro
9. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var II. Andante con moto
10. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var III. Moderato con moto
11. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var IV. Moderato
12. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var V. Moderato
13. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var VI. Allegro non troppo
14. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var VII. Moderato assai
15. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var VIII. Moderato asai
16. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var IX. Moderato
17. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var X. Moderato
18. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var XI. Allegro
19. Thème et Variations, Op. 88: Var XII. Allegro moderato

Leslie Howard, piano
Release Date: 1997
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDD22023

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Reviews

PERFORMANCE: **** / SOUND: *****

‘Beethoven’s bastard’ he was sometimes called, due to the supposedly striking physical resemblance between Anton Rubinstein and posthumous mentor. If true, it would have betokened the longest human pregnancy on record: Rubinstein was born two years after Beethoven’s death. Remembered nowadays (if only by pianophiles) as one of history’s greatest virtuosos, there was a time when his music ranked with the most popular ever written. Today, despite Howard’s committed and immensely accomplished advocacy here, that seems hard to believe. Ironically and sadly, a two-disc recital like this, with its saturation effect, lessens rather than strengthens the case for a revival of Rubinstein’s music in our own time. From an archival and historical point of view, on the other hand, it can be warmly recommended.

-- Jeremy Siepmann, BBC Music Magazine

More reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Anton-Rubinstein-Solo-Piano-Music/dp/B000002ZEQ

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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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