Rubinstein: A Life

By Harvey Sachs

Book Overview

A biography of Arthur Rubinstein's private life, including his love affairs, his rivalry with Vladimir Horowitz, and his relationships with the rich and powerful.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802115799
• ISBN13: 9780802115799
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 525 Pages
• Weight: 2.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.4" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Definitive...

Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) was a complicated man. His two-volume autobiography was an interesting read, but only revealed the portions of the pianist's life which he wanted known, was filled with numerous omissions and errors, contained a great deal of petty score settling (his comments about Heifetz, Schnabel and Horowitz were especially cutting), and remarkably little discussion of music. Harvey Sachs, whose acclaimed...

Brilliant on Rubinstein's connection with Brazil and Villa-

I would like to contact the author, as am presently effecting a research on Villa-Lobos, and not-at this stage- write a review. I believe there are a few minor mistakes with respect to brazilian personalities (eg the brazilian pianist Antonieta Rudge had no connection whatsoever with Pound's friend, the american violinist Olga Rudge) , and precisions with respect to dates, programs of Rubinstein's concerts in the 1920s,...

Quite informative for Rubinstein devotees but tedious.

Arthur Rubinstein's tone and interpretations are legendary, and this book is filled with rich details of this keyboard master's life. He captures Rubinstein's complexity and emergence into a true joy in living and a love for playing for his audiences. Nonetheless, many sections require persistence and are tedious. I liked this book, but I have seen other biographies of great musicians that flowed more easily. Overall,...