Artur Rubinstein (January 28, 1887 – December 20, 1982) was a famous Polish-American pianist, best known for his performances of Chopin and his championing of Spanish music.
Rubinstein was born in Łódź to a Jewish family, and studied in Warsaw. He made his debut in Berlin in 1900, followed by appearances in Germany
and Poland and further study with Paderewski. In 1904, he went to Paris, where he met the composers Ravel, Dukas, and Saint-Saëns, and the
violinist Jacques Thibaud.
Rubinstein made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall in 1906, and
thereafter toured the United States, Austria, Italy, and Russia. In
1912, he made his London debut.
During World War I Rubinstein lived mainly in London, accompanying the
violinst Eugčne Ysa˙e. From 1916 to 1917, he toured Spain and South America, developing an
enthusiasm for the music of Granados, Albéniz, Villa-Lobos, and
Falla. In 1932 he withdrew from concert life for several years to
work on his technique and repertory.
During World War II, Rubinstein lived in the United States and became a
naturalized citizen in 1946. He retired from the stage in 1976, as his eyesight was rapidly
deteriorating.
Although best known as a soloist, Rubinstein was also an outstanding chamber musician, partnering with Szeryng, Heifetz, Piatigorsky, the Guarneri Quartet. In addition to Chopin, he also recorded the music of
Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, and
Dvořák.
Rubinstein died in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1982 at age 95.
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