Hedonist and altruist at the same time, favorite of the gods and philanthropist, melancholic and sanguine serious artist, a gifted musician and brilliant pianist, egomaniac and family pet. Arthur Rubinstein, a great character and great cosmopolitan, a man who loved life, the music and the people so much.
The recent documentary film (2010) about the life and work of Arthur Rubinstein, brings to life the personality of a great artist and demonstrates what his art is all about. Film maker Marie-Claire Margossian undertook a voyage through Rubinstein’s life with the help of his daughter Eva, a photographer and the participation of John and Alina Rubinstein as well as testimonies of friends like Jacques Chazal, Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, Gustavo Dudamel and others.
Documentaries based on biographical data is one approach, but unless it is brought to life through pictures and memories it communicates very little. This is where the family archive and the hundreds of photographs comes in.
Margossian succeeds in creating a remarkably vivid and uniquely personal profile of one of the great pianist legends of the 20th century and recreates the various steps in Rubinstein’s career and gets to the persona behind the celebrity.
Rubinstein by the Rubinsteins
ARTE France, Zone d’Images, 52 min (subtitles in German)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
/patrick
August 2nd, 2012 at 10:27
I’m sorry but this is useless. There are so many parts that are in french and the german subtitles doesn’t do any good.
Had this ever been released on DVD?
August 2nd, 2012 at 19:56
It’s a shame that most of it can’t be understud, and some parts that are in english are overspoken in german and can’t listen really.
August 4th, 2012 at 13:58
A marvelous creation! Artur Rubinstein blossoms as the human being in love with life. His passion for classical music and genius in interpretation will remain a legacy for as long as humanity is on this planet. His was a unique sense of humor and an uncanny ability to understand people. Love of family was so powerful. His respect in the music fraternity remains all-powerful despite the myriads of pianists on the present concert platform. Rubinstein will remain the “pianist’s pianist”. We are so fortunate to have the experience of his recorded legacy, as well as the unique pictorial history of his contribution to LIFE!
August 31st, 2012 at 20:45
I’d have enjoyed it hugely–if only I could have understood it! The music was lovely, though. Love Rubinstein’s playing…
September 1st, 2012 at 8:21
I quite agree with all the comments regarding the language issues. A release on DVD would help if English sub-titles were made available.
I wonder does the film show the fact that he took up with Annabelle Whitestone towards the end of his life forsaking his long suffering wife?
September 3rd, 2012 at 6:39
How come that most of the world speaks English and this has no English subtiltles. How can it be sold in this condition? Did they run out of money or is it still unfinished I wonder……
October 19th, 2012 at 18:49
Oh….can’t wait to see this with English subtitles. I’m very sorry I don’t speak either French or German.
November 16th, 2012 at 21:20
I agree with the above comments in respect of the several languages being spoken simultaneously…….what a pity. I hope this problem is rectified and re distributed.
November 18th, 2012 at 1:06
If your not going to put the words in English clearly, just play his music!
February 1st, 2021 at 1:12
I agree entirely with Mike Earles’ comment. I could never understand how he abandoned his wife for Annabelle Whitestone. He would have been nothing without Aniela Rubinstein, his wife. She was his catalyst, his unique grand polish noble lady, always at his side. It is interesting that Whitestone went on to marry another millionaire, already half gone, in his eighties Lord Weidenfeld. Rubinstein did himself no good or glory to end his days without Aniela. Pity.