Arthur Rubinstein

Born: 1887-01-28

Arthur Rubinstein (Polish: Artur Rubinstein; 28 January 1887 – 20 December 1982) was a Polish-American pianist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest pianists of all time. He received international acclaim for his performances of the music written by a variety of composers and many regard him as one of the greatest Chopin interpreters of his time. He played in public for eight decades. Artur Rubinstein was born in Łódź, Congress Poland (part of the Russian Empire for the entire time Rubinstein resided there) on 28 January 1887, to a Jewish family. He was the youngest of seven children of Felicja Blima Fajga (née Heiman) and Izaak Rubinstein. His father owned a small textile factory. Rubinstein's birth name was to be Leo, but his eight-year-old brother claimed that "His name must be Artur. Since Artur X (a neighbour's son) plays the violin so nicely, the baby may also become a great musician!". Thus, he was called Artur, although in English-speaking countries, he preferred to be known as Arthur Rubinstein. His United States impresario Sol Hurok, however, insisted he be billed as Artur, and records were released in the West under both versions of his name. At age two, Rubinstein demonstrated absolute pitch and a fascination with the piano, watching his elder sister's piano lessons. By the age of four, he was recognised as a child prodigy. His father had a predilection for the violin and offered Rubinstein a violin; but Rubinstein rejected it because he thought his instinct was for harmony and polyphony. The Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim, on hearing the four-year-old child play the piano, was greatly impressed, telling Arthur's family, "This boy may become a very great musician—he certainly has the talent for it... When the time comes for serious study, bring him to me, and I shall be glad to supervise his artistic education." On 14 December 1894, seven-year-old Arthur Rubinstein had his debut with pieces by Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn. When he became ten years of age, Rubinstein moved to Berlin to continue his studies, and gave his first performance with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1900, at the age of 13. Joseph Joachim recommended Karl Heinrich Barth as the boy's piano teacher. As a student of Barth, Rubinstein inherited a renowned pedagogical lineage: Barth was himself a pupil of Liszt, who had been taught by Czerny, who had in turn been a pupil of Beethoven. In 1904, Rubinstein moved to Paris to launch his career in earnest, where he met the composers Maurice Ravel and Paul Dukas and the violinist Jacques Thibaud. He also played Camille Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 in the presence of the composer. Through the family of Juliusz Wertheim, whose understanding of Chopin's genius inspired Rubinstein, he formed friendships with the violinist Paul Kochanski and composer Karol Szymanowski. ... Source: Article "Arthur Rubinstein" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.


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Night Song

as Self
Released: 1948-01-20

A socialite pretends to be poor and blind in her plan to help a blinded pianist.

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Follow the Boys

as Artur Rubinstein
Released: 1944-05-05

During World War II, all the studios put out "all-star" vehicles which featured virtually every...

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Carnegie Hall

as Arthur Rubinstein
Released: 1947-02-28

A young Irishwoman comes to the United States to live and work with her mother as a cleaning...

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Bachianas Brasileiras: Meu Nome é Villa-Lobos

as uncredited
Released: 1979-01-01

German-Brazilian production on the life of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.

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Arthur Rubinstein: The Love of Life

as Self
Released: 1969-06-17

Documentary about Polish-American pianist, Arthur Rubinstein.

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The Art of Piano - Great Pianists of 20th Century

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 1999-01-01

This is a film that encapsulates the essence of a great pianistic age that married virtuosity...

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The Golden Age of the Piano

as Self
Released: 1993-01-01

Academician and piano expert David Dubal narrates this absorbing documentary chronicling the...

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Rostropovich: L'archet Indomptable

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2019-09-08

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Of Men and Music

as Self
Released: 1951-02-14

A documentary featuring musicians including Artur Rubinstein, Jan Peerce-Nadine Conner, and...

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Artur Rubinstein: The Legendary Moscow Recital

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Released: 1964-10-01

Arthur Rubinstein's 1964 recital in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, filmed and...

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Rubinstein: In Performance

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Released: 1977-01-01

This historic film captures the legendary pianist Artur Rubinstein in rare performance film...

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Villa-Lobos - O Índio de Casaca

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Released: 1987-01-01

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Artur Rubinstein - Piano Concertos

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Released: 2006-07-07

Arthur Rubinstein performs Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, Chopin's Piano Concerto...

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Rubinstein Remembered

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Released: 1987-07-20

This program traces Rubinstein's career and features excerpts from his performances of works by...

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Rubinstein in Concert

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Released: 1973-06-01

Live 1973 concert performances by celebrated Polish-American virtuoso concert pianist Arthur...

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Sculptor with a Camera

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2018-06-01

Documentary film based on unique found footage shot in the 1920s by count August Zamoyski. A...

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The Dick Cavett Show

as Self - Guest
First aired: 1968-06-06

The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various...

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Le Grand Échiquier

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First aired: 1972-01-12

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Le Grand Échiquier

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First aired: 1972-01-12

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Great Performances

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First aired: 1971-01-28

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse...

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