Pianist Roman Rabinovich Selects

About the Playlist

March 14, 2022

As the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition winner prepares for his PUC debut with violinist Benjamin Beilman, he has shared some of the music most recently on his mind—from musicians and composers whom he particularly admires, to some of his all-time favorite works:

J.S. BACH Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: II. Allemande, performed by Pablo Casals
“Casals is the embodiment of integrity, both artistically and as a citizen of the world.”

HK GRUBER Aerial, I. Done with the Compass—Done with the Chart!, performed by Håkan Hardenberger with the New York Philharmonic
“I’m fascinated with Gruber’s language, and this trumpet concerto is full of coloristic innovations.” 

W.A. MOZART String Quartet No. 19 in C Major (“Dissonance”), K. 465: II. Andante cantabile, performed by the Guarneri Quartet
“Perhaps the pinnacle of string quartet writing and quartet playing.” 

BILL EVANS Waltz for Debbie
“Bill Evans has been one the most inspiring musicians for me. I particularly love this piece for its tenderness, transparency, and simplicity.”

OLIVIER MESSIAEN Quartet for the End of Time: V. Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus (Praise to the Eternity of Jesus), performed by the Tashi Quartet
“As close to the divine as it gets in music.”

ERNEST CHAUSSON Concert for Piano, Violin, and String Quartet, Op. 21: II. Sicilienne, performed by Joshua Bell, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and the Takács String Quartet
“Currently working on this concerto with my wife Diana Cohen and the Dover Quartet. This movement is a charming interlude.” 

SHAI MAESTRO Human, performed by Jorge Roeder, Ofri Nehemya, and Philip Dizack
“I’ve known Shai since our high school days in Israel and enjoy seeing him grow into such a wonderful and original artist.” 

J.S. BACH Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria, performed by Peter Serkin
“Learning this piece has given a sense of order, clarity, and purpose during the pandemic.”