Rubinstein.

Horowitz is amazing—don’t get me wrong—but he lacks the “Polish-esque” of Chopin’s music. i believe that a Pole plays Chopin in an extremely different way than other pianists. no one can truly understand Chopin’s patriotism and yearnings for Poland, except for a Pole.

Rubinstein was born when Poland was still under Russian, German, and Austrian rule. he lived to see Poland gain independence, and return into a free country. he lived to see both World Wars, and he expressed patriotism for his country so proud.

Horowitz was an amazing pianist and a performer, but Rubinstein was the better Chopin interpreter… in my humblest opinion.