Brahms: Piano Concerto No 1 / Rubinstein, Reiner, Cso CD

 Brilliant Brahms by Rubinstein/Reiner
CORRECTION OF MY PREVIOUS REVIEW OF TODAY!!!! If one thought that Artur Rubinstein was closer to Chopin and Beethoven than to Brahms, it was a mistake.- He is totally convincing in the First Piano Concerto, especially remarkable in the second movement, which in other hands frequently is rather boring, but no so here.- The magnificent remastered sound is also excellent, only the duration of the record (45,76 minutes) is rather stingy.
Submitted by truderic (Montevideo, Uruguay) 
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 Magnificent, but with reservations
Artur Rubinstein seems not to be at home with Brahms as much as with Chopin and Beethoven, but his rendition of the second movement, usually rather boring, is wonderfully convincing. Reiner and the Chicago Symphony are as magnificent as ever, but with respect to sound the piano seems to be located too much in the rear. And just one piece of 45,76 minutes is rather stingy.-
Submitted by truderic (Montevideo, Uruguay) 
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 Standard fare performance, but GREAT remastering
This is one of the oldest recordings in the Living Stereo reissues on SACD. This is the best this performance has ever sounded. Transfered from the original two channel tapes, the sound is incredibly natural and spacious. Rubinstein, known for his Chopin, tackles the Brahms. It's a good performance, but Rubinstein doesn't plunge the intense depths of tragedy the same way that Curzon with Szell does. His performance is good, but doesn't have the searing emotions that Curzon and Kapell (with Mitropolous) give to this work. Reiner adds a few minor re-orchestrations in the score, namely the timpani upon the entrance of the basses in the first two minutes of the 1st movement. Reiner's french horns seem curiously underpowered compared to Szell. All in all, a good performance, but not a great one.
Submitted by brianphoto (Manteca, CA) 
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 recommended
Three stars because the sound shows it's age a bit in the loud passages. but the performance is wonderful and like so many of the Living Stereos it provided that uncanny sense of being there. If you are interested in this series you will want this one too.
Submitted by Lumoo (Los Angeles, CA, USA) 
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