Rubinstein - Chopin Polonaise in A Flat Major, Op.53

A video recording made in 1956 from the "Festival of music" specials for NBC.

[mikeappignani]

I'm New to classical music 61years old. I have missed out of this Brilliance my God.

[markdelfs]

My grandmother heard Rubinstein at Orchestra Hall in Chicago in the 1920s. She and my mother heard him there in 1950. When I was 22, I attended his last recital there in May, 1976. I vividly remember his impeccable performance of Chopin’s Scherzo, opus 31, no. 2. His artistry spanned 3 generations of my family over 50 years. He performed in Chicago for over 60 years. His enduring legacy was his ability to enrich the lives of millions of people worldwide over a career that spanned nearly a century.

[meredith]

Rubinstein really owned this famous piece. He plays it with such fervour and grandeur but avoids exaggeration.

[kjmaurice]

Horowitz and Rubenstein, the grand old men of Chopin. Both truly remarkable.

[ellisonhamilton]

Rubinstein once said in an interview that this piece of music was the " closest to his heart ". I don't doubt it. He plays it with such passion. The world is badly in need of artists of this caliber. They are so absent from our landscape.
God rest Mr. Rubinstein. ✝️❤✡

[cynthiagonzalez]

I don't think heaven would be complete without Chopin's music....

[MrCassiopeia]

Wow, his left hand, those octaves! Mr. Rubinstein is amazing! 

[gianfrancofais]

Una delle migliori interpretazioni di una delle più belle composizioni d Chopin

[miketackabery]

I saw him in Portland Oregon when I was perhaps 10 years old. 7 encores. I never wanted to leave. Still overwhelmed by the memory.

[officialjuliusborris]

This is my favorite Polonaise written by Chopin. Rubenstein interpreted this music piece very well, just beautiful and “heroic.”

[albertseabra]

A true genious.
Keep the Bunins, the Lang-Langs, and all Speedy-Gonzales who try to render speed the essence of their performances.
Rubinstein combine speed with an individualised playing of each note.

Listen to his Full performance, live, in Moscow in 1964.
And in 1947 at Carnagie-Hall.
Playing the Polonaise and the Ritual of Fire.

We are unable to see his hands, .in the Ritual.
However, every single note flies through the Air, individually
Playing extremely fast -- and Crystal clear!
His performances still are the yard-stick for all pianists!

[matatjahu]

A citizen of the world, as Arthur Rubinstein was called (he not only traveled a lot, but also knew as many as eight languages!), Is known in Poland mainly thanks to the words he spoke during the founding conference of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945. Poland belonged to the anti-Nazi coalition and was a victim of Nazi Germany, but there was no delegation from the Polish government in exile among the representatives of 50 countries. Why? Western politicians feared Stalin and preferred not to provoke him. For the same reason, there was also no Polish flag. The musician, whose concert was to add splendor to the event, noticed the lack of white and red colors, got angry and decided to loudly express his disapproval. He started the performance with the anthem of the United States, but after a few bars he stopped, stood up and said: “Here in this hall you want to arrange a happy future for the world. I miss the Polish flag for which you fought. I cannot tolerate it. I will play the Polish national anthem for you. And please get up! ”. His speech was met with a storm of applause, to which even Nikita Khrushchev (a member of the Soviet delegation) was forced. With this gesture, Artur Rubinstein recalled the participation of Poles in the defeat of Nazi Germany, and also revealed his deep love for the homeland

[Martine-mj]

Mr RUBINSTEIN le meilleur interprète de CHOPIN
Il est Magnifique ❤

[albertseabra]

Fabulous! Still lhe best performer ever.
Each individual note flies through the Air, as breathtaking mixed flocks of birds.

Every note vibrantes, individually, in its beauty, staying airborne in a magical, musical airshow -- never colliding with any of the other elements

[paulmayerpiano]

This should be Poland's national anthem

[dennispearson]

No Composition Ever Written by man has ever so Completely Embodied The Greatness And Nobility of The Polish Spirit like this one !! Hats off to Mr.Rubenstein who Throughout his long and Storied Career always did great justice to this Composition !!!...

[matatjahu]

Throughout his life, Rubinstein was deeply attached to Poland. At the inauguration of the United Nations in 1945, Rubinstein showed his Polish patriotism at a concert for the delegates. He began the concert by stating his deep disappointment that the conference did not have a delegation from Poland. Rubinstein later described becoming overwhelmed by a blind fury and angrily pointing out to the public the absence of the Polish flag. He stopped playing the piano, told the audience to stand up, including the Soviets, and played the Polish national anthem loudly and slowly, repeating the final part in a great thunderous forte. When he had finished, the public gave him a great ovation.[

[bro.jdfrancisco]

Chopin is a great blessing to the world civilization.. Life will be different without his music...

[francesvansiclen]

So beautiful and stirring; I miss old Europe; they gave so much to this world

[carolinewallis-newport]

The finest pianist ever. Mastery of the instrument, power, lyricism and all delivered with economy of bodily movement - today's pianists, take note.