The Resume

(January 28, 1887-December 20, 1982)
Born in Lodz, Poland
Classical pianist
Known for his interpretations of Frederic Chopin
Won five Grammys
Became a naturalized US citizen (1946)
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1976)
Named an honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire (1977)

Why he might be annoying:

At four, he had business cards printed reading 'Artur the Great Piano Virtuoso.'
In his teens, he had an affair with his best friend's sister. Then one with the friend's mother. And one with another sister.
While broke and hounded by creditors, he tried unsuccessfully to hang himself with his belt (1908).
He kept changing his first name back and forth from the original 'Artur' to an Anglicized 'Arthur.'
He constantly lived beyond his means and mooched off rich friends.
When he was 90, he left his wife for a concert promoter sixty years his junior.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was fluent in eight languages.
He had a photographic memory to the degree that in recalling a score, he could visualize any coffee stains on it.
He said that after his suicide attempt he was 'reborn' and learned to 'love life without condition.'
His performing career lasted 85 years.
The New York Times music critic wrote, 'No pianist has put everything together the way Rubinstein has. Others may be superior in specific things, but Rubinstein is the complete pianist.'
He was known for his joy in performing and said, 'Don't tell [manager Sol] Hurok, but I'd play the piano for nothing, I enjoy it so much.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Breeders [Have 5 or More Kids] (Ranked: 5)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 34]
• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (Ranked: 1994)
• I am an Adulterer
• I am an Agnostic
• I am of Polish Extraction
• I Attempted Suicide and Screwed it Up
• I Died in 1982 (Ranked: 95)
• I Fathered Children Out of Wedlock
• I Have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame[R-T]
• I was Cremated
• Kennedy Center Honorees (Ranked: 1978)
• Look at Me, I'm Making a Funny Face
• Male Cigar Smokers
• My Song was Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (Ranked: 2003)
• My Spouse is at Least Ten Years Younger than Me
• Nobody Told Me I'm Old
• Person to Person - Guests [L-Z]
• Profiles 30751-31000 (Ranked: 30905)
• U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
• We Celebrated Our Golden Anniversary

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 18 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 38.89% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 31 Votes: 64.52% Annoying