Brahms, Intermezzo in B flat minor, op.117

One of this century's great pianists, Artur Rubinstein (1887-1982) began playing the piano at the age of three and concertized tirelessly until nearly ninety. He made his official debut in Berlin in 1900 playing, among other works, Saint-Saëns' G minor Concerto Op. 22, which remained a vehicle for Rubinstein's virtuosity throughout his career. He was often heard in concertos by Brahms and Beethoven. Indeed, Brahms was the composer who initially aroused the pianist's strongest and deepest artistic instincts. This place was later taken by Chopin. In his later years, Rubinstein was noted for his Chopin interpretations, which were marked by impeccable style, warm lyricism and passionate eloquence. The Brahms piano pieces were recorded in August 1973 at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw.