Biography
Artur Rubinstein (January 28, 1887 – December 20, 1982) was an internationally acclaimed Polish pianist. He was born in Łódź in the Kingdom of Poland (part of the Russian Empire at the time) in a Jewish family with 7 children. He was the youngest. His father was a well-to-do textile craftsman. At the age of two, Arthur became fascinated with the piano, attending his older sister's piano lessons. He started music lessons at the age of four and was recognized as a child prodigy. At the age of 7 he made his debut as a pianist with works by Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn. At the age of ten he moved to Berlin to continue his studies, giving his first performance with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1900, at the age of 13.In 1904, Rubinstein moved to Paris and from 1906 gave a series of concerts in the USA, Austria, Italy and Russia. It was not well received in the US. and in 1908 overwhelmed by financial problems and pursued by his creditors he made an unsuccessful attempt to hang himself. He would later confide that he felt "reborn" after that adventure, with an immense love for life. In 1912 he made his debut in London with things going better as he gave several successful recitals. In 1916 and 1917, he made his first tours in Spain and South America, where he also met with a positive reception. In 1921 Rubistein made two tours of the USA, and from 1937 he lived in California and became a US citizen in 1946. In California Rubistein scored for several films, and appeared as himself in Carnegie Hall films and Of Men and Music. Although best known as a concert soloist, Rubinstein is also considered an excellent chamber musician. Chopin was his specialty. In 1964, in the middle of the Cold War, he gave a legendary recital in Moscow, with a pure Chopin program.
Rubinstein was fluent in eight languages and remembered a very large part of the repertoire, not just the piano part, in his wonderful photographic memory. He also had highly developed auditory abilities, allowing him to play entire symphonies in his head.
The pianist was married in 1932 and had 3 children. He died at his home in Geneva, Switzerland, during his sleep on December 20, 1982, and according to his wishes, his body was cremated.