Arthur Rubenstein plays Chopin’s Nocturne in E Flat Minor

Chopin’s nocturnes have such a weightless, ethereal character about them. Soothing enough to listen to all day, it’s the sort of piece you just melt into. I prefer Arthur Rubenstein’s recordings of Chopin – it seems only fitting for a Polish virtuoso to play the soulful works of Poland’s greatest composer. I don’t feel these are particularly challenging works, even though they are widely considered among the most important ever written for the piano. And to me, that means they are far more emotionally challenging and lend themselves to interpretation and artistic style. Rubenstein was in his in his late 70s when this was recorded and you feel the weight of his incredible life in the music. It’s a masterwork. Beautiful.