The first volume of a projected complete recording of Anton Rubinstein’s music for 4‐hand piano.

Rubinstein was a legendary pianist in the 19th century, admired by Liszt and even the young Rachmaninov. As a pianist he toured Europe tirelessly, his fame spreading widely. As a composer he was equally tireless, composing a substantial oeuvre of practically every genre. His creative roots were, despite his Russian origin, in the German Romantics - Mendelssohn, Schumann and Liszt.

Rubinstein’s works for piano 4 hands are high quality salon music: picturesque tone painting, romantic and idyllic, with an occasional touch of Russian folklore. An exception is the Grande Sonata, which is of substantial length and content, dramatic and powerful.

These are excellent performances by one of Italy’s foremost duos, the Duo Pianistico de Firenze, who also wrote the extensive liner notes.