ANTON RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894): Le Bal, Op. 14, Allegro appassionato, Op. 30/2.

Description: Le Bal, a ten-segment work from 1854 (rev. 1871), presents a characteristic ballroom scene in ten sections full of energy and rich sentiment. This miniature drama charts the anticipation of the dancer, a series of eventful dances and a final reflection on what has been.  This once appeared on the defunct Dutch Attacca label but there, the timing was 61:39 while this one is 81:52. Having no access to the older one, I can’t tell you why but can point out that Naxos continues their newfound love of long-playing CDs by adding another six minutes via the second piece of Rubinstein’s 2 Pieces, Op. 30. Warren Lee (piano).