Artur Rubinstein's classic performances of
Chopin's piano concertos for RCA have been remastered for this Living Stereo reissue from the original two-track and three-track tapes, though this is a case where audiophiles may feel a little unimpressed by the promises of SACD. The DSD transfer from the analog tapes is rather clean, and Rubinstein's presence and clarity are enhanced in the mix, but beyond these benefits, the sound is still glorified stereo; there is little sense of surround sound immersion in the 1961 two-track recording of the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, and the 1958 three-track recording of the Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, is only marginally better in depth through the "triangulation" of left, center, and right channels. Even so, if the interpretations matter more than the reproduction, then Rubinstein's performances -- with
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and the
New Symphony Orchestra of London of Op. 11, and with
Alfred Wallenstein and the
Symphony of the Air of Op. 21 -- are perfectly delightful, if old-fashioned renditions, with a feeling of Romantic ardor and sentimentality held in check by the pianist's refined sense of proportions and elegance. Of course, with many excellent recordings available, this disc will be desired most by connoisseurs of historic recordings, but less so by fans of all-digital recordings.