Arthur Rubinstein

Born in Poland, Arthur Rubinstein (January 28 1998) was a classical pianist. He received international fame for his performances of Chopin. He is described as one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. He has played for the public for over eight decades. Rubinstein validated he had perfect pitch and a huge captivation with the piano at the age of two. At four, Rubinstein was a child prodigy. In 1894 the four year old Rubinstein played in his public debut Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn. When Rubenstein was thirteen he played with the Berlin Philharmonic.
1904 saw Rubinstein moving to Paris to launch his career. He met Maurice Ravel and Paul Dukas and played Camille Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2 for Saint-Saens. Rubinstein played at Carnegie Hall in 1906 and toured the U.S., Israel, Italy and Russia. He was not well received in the U.S. He was destitute by 1908 and tried to hang himself. After this experience he felt an unconditional love of life. He moved to London and kept company with Igor Stravinsky, Palo Casals, and Pierre Moneux. During WWI Rubinstein lived in London giving recitals and accompanying violinists. He went on tours in Spain and South America where he was widely accepted. In 1932 Rubinstein withdrew from concert life to study and practice his techniques. He then returned to the U.S. in 1937 and became a naturalized American citizen in 1946. He produced the soundtrack for Song of Love with Katharine Hepburn.
By the 1970s Rubenstein's eyesight began to decline and he withdrew from the concert tour at 89. Rubinstein performed his last concert at Wigmore Hall in London. Rubinstein was able to play symphonies from memory and his memory was photographic. His autobiography The Young Years in 1973 and My Many Years were a bit surprising to people. When Rubinstein was 45 he married Nela Mlynarska. They had five children. Rubinstein had a series of affairs during his marriage and fathered a daughter with Paola Medici del Vasello. He and Nela never divorced though in 1977 at the age of 90 he left her for Annabelle Whitestone. Rubinstein died at the age of 95 on December 20, 1982. In 2007 his family donated an extensive collection his original manuscripts to Juilliard School of Music.