Anton Rubinstein occupied an uneasy place in the history of Russian music, largely because of his Jewish origins and the perception of him as a ‘German in Russia’. In recent years his solo piano music has begun to be re-evaluated. This album focuses on the series of works written in the mid-1850s and reveals music of charm and flair. The Three Pieces, op.16, are conventional in form but attractive, and the Two Pieces, op.28, contain a strongly contrasted Nocturne and Caprice. More ambitious, and intended to be performed in his concert repertoire as one of the greatest virtuosos of the age, are the Six Pieces, op.51.

Naxos has a large catalogue of Rubinstein’s music, including two volumes of piano music on 8570941 and 8570942 played by Joseph Banowetz. MusicWeb International wrote: ‘The notes are excellent. The first reviewed disc has greater variety but the second is the more ambitious.’

Le Bal, also for solo piano, can be heard on 8574216: ‘The playing is stunning and imaginative. Warren Lee gives a performance which sparkles in the lively numbers and is suitably thoughtful in the quieter and more reflective moments’ (MusicWeb International).