Richter in Recital

On this CD:

1. Keyboard Sonata in E flat major, H. 16/49
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter

2. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L..117 No.4: des pas sur la neige
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter

3. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L..117 No.9: la sérénade interrompue
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter

4. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L..117 No.10: la Cathédrale engloutie
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter

5. Préludes (12) for piano, Book I, L..117 No.11: la danse de Puck
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter

6. Pieces (4) for piano, Op. 4 No.4, Suggestion diabolique
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: I Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: II II vecchio castello - Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: III Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: IV Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet des poussins dans leurs coques
Pictures At An Exhibition: VI Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: VII Limoges: le marche'
Pictures At An Exhibition: VIII Catacombae: Sepulchrum romanum - Cum mortius in lingua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: La Cabe sur des pattes de poule
Pictures At An Exhibition: La Grande Porte de Kiev
Moment Musical in C Major, D780 no.1
Impromptu In E Flat Major, D899 No,2
Impromptu in A Flat Major
Etude In E Major, Op.10 no.3
Valse oubliee No.1 In F Sharp Major
Valse oubliee No.2 In A Flat Major
Etude d'execution transcendante No.5
Etude d'execution transcendante No.11
Prelude In G Sharp Minor, op.32 no.13

Customer Reviews:

The definitive "Pictures at an Exhibition".......2007-04-30

Not much more I can add to this. If you have any interest in the original piano version of "Pictures" at all then this is the one to get. Try Muti's for an excellent version of the piece as orchestrated by Ravel(Along with a great "Rite of Spring"; dirt cheap too)- Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibiton; Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring.

Nobody else understands "Pictures" as well as Richter and in his hands time melts and you are taken on a journey you will not soon forget. Richter pushes and pulls this piece wherever he wants and we the listeners are happy to follow him where he chooses to take us.

The piano sound is quite good for its time. Fairly full and with a good dynamic range. Unfortunately the audience seems to have a case of infectious coughing. Similar to the live Wartime recordings of Furtwangler in that respect. You get used to it though, and either way it doesn't matter in the hands of a performance of this stature.

There's a reason that you can still buy this nearly 50(?!) years after it was recorded. Not only are people still talking about this recital, but we are still waiting for a recording to match it in modern sound without audience interruptions. I suspect we may have to wait a long, long time.

terrible coughs........2006-11-16

there are two recordings that would've perhaps been much more appreciated had there not been several people who coughed their way through the entire concert. the furtwangler 1942 recording of Beethoven's sixth symphony and this one.
jesus. i'm not one to complain about coughing, but we have issues here. was it communism?? really, were russians this worse off???????

things set aside, the performance itself.. is magical.

i can't add much more to previous reviewers except this: expect one of the worst recordings from the 1950's... if you brainwash yourself into believing this is one of those naxos or pearl remastered 1920s recordings, you'll find yourself much more pleased.

The Most Memorialand Quoted Piano Recital from the 1950's .......2005-12-15

Svaitoslav Richter is the quintiessential pianist of the 20th century. This epic live recording of the Mussorsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" stands as the supreme recording of the piano version ever recorded. Although some will argue that Horowitz recorded of his this piece with is its numerous interpretative changes is also notable but is mearly a flashey more superficial rendition than Richter's. Richter here captures this pieces mistical and heavenly appeal so perfectly it seems its nuances are forever engrained in your mind. The Promenade is so stately and energetically expressed it seemingly gives us permission to enter a heavenly 30 minute musical forum. The variation number 5, 8, 10 and the next to last are my favorites. Being a pianist (and I use that term loosely) this recording has taught me so much with regards to vivid imagery. For example the next to last variation leaves me with the impression that it is someone taking the road to heaven and finally arrives at its gates. Then is looking at the Gates of Heaven as they Open. A grand moment in any life. Richters imagery is so perfectly unbalanced that he leaves us on edge to anticipate each colorful moment. This is truely my favorite recording in classical piano because it is so awe inspiring.

The best interpretation of "Pictures at an Exhibition" I have heard.......2005-11-17

Wow.

If the vivid imagery Richter creates in this live performance isn't enough to bring tears to your eyes, the technical prowess will certainly send you searching for the "repeat" button on your cd player.

Richter, as always, delivers an emotional and monumental performance.

Great but the worst recording i hear.......2005-10-01

fisrt of all excuse me for my bad englih, i m french ;o)
A concert recording can't be perfect, this is the worst i hear. All the people are ill and the record man was probably far as 50m of the piano behind a door.
So, Why three stars ?
because i love this music and nobody play it as Richter this day.
Great music, Great moment...

Average customer rating:

Bravo

Bach: English Suites Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Suite francesi N. 2 & 4, BWV 813 & 815
Out of Later Years, Vol 5: Bach French Suites #2, 4, 6
Johannes Brahms: Piano Sonata No.1 and No.2
Sviatoslav Richter Plays Schubert Piano Sonatas D958, D960
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier

ASIN: B0002SPPBE
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Customer Reviews:

Bravo.......2005-01-31

Richter never ceases to amaze. At 76 and after heart surgery Richter doesn't play these pieces as muscularly as he does the WTC, and the performances are not "note perfect." But I quibble. Richter's artistry and musicianship combined with the wisdom of over 60 years of performances ensures that this recital is stunning. Besides, one of Richter's "bad" notes is worth 10 "perfect" notes from any other virtuoso. If you love Bach, Richter, or the piano, do yourself a favor and listen to this set.

Average customer rating:

Best recording ever!

Russians in Recital

Manufacturer: Revelation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000006BBJ
Release Date: 1998-04-21

Tracks:

Kissin, Evgeny - Piano - Liebestraume No. 3 In A Flat
Intermezzo In E Op. 116 No. 6
Mazurka In F Minor Op. 68 No. 4
Waltz No. 14 In E Minor Op. Posth.
Richter, Sviatoslav - Piano - June From The Seasons, Op.37B
Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Rubinstein, Artur - Piano - Barcarolle In F Sharp, Op. 60
Waltz in A Minor, Op. 34 No 2
Gilels, Emil - Piano - Intermezzo In A Minor Op. 116 N. 2
Ballade In D Minor Op. 10 No. 1
Prelude In D Minor Op. 23 No. 5
Daisies Op. 38 No. 3
Vocalise Op. 34 No. 14
Prelude In C Sharp Minor Op 3 No. 2

Customer Reviews:

Best recording ever!.......2002-08-31

Truly, the best collection of pianistic virtuosity and musicality available! Gilel's recording of the Rachmaninov g minor prelude was the best I've ever heard, while Richter blasted his way through the Liszt Mephisto waltzes! Kissin's interpretation of the Chopin mazurkas are also awesome! The dominance of the Russians in the piano can easily be seen here. This CD is a must for every piano lover!

Average customer rating:

Richter in Recital

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000023FL
Release Date: 1994-09-20

Tracks:

Sonata In E-Flat, Hob. XVI-49: Allegro
Sonata In E-Flat, Hob. XVI-49: Adagio cantabile
Sonata In E-Flat, Hob. XVI-49: Finale - tempo di minuetto
Four Preludes From Book I: Des pas sur la neige
Four Preludes From Book I: La serenade interrompue
Four Preludes From Book I: La Cathedrale engloutie
Four Preludes From Book I: La danse de Puck
Suggestion diabolique, Op. 4, No. 4

Average customer rating:

The best Toccata and Fugue in D minor on disc

Bach: Organ Recital

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000042GR
Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565
Chorale Prelude: 'Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ', BWV 639
Passacagilia And Fugue In C Minor, BWV 582
Chorale Prelude: 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme', BWV 645
Fantasia And Fugue In G Minor, BWV 542
Chorale Prelude: 'Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter', BWV 650
Chorale Prelude: 'Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her', BWV 606
Prelude And Fugue In E Minor, BWV 548

Customer Reviews:

The best Toccata and Fugue in D minor on disc.......2001-10-18

Of all the hundreds of recordings of the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, the 1954 Decca recording of Karl Richter playing this piece at the Victoria Hall organ in Geneva is my undisputable favorite. ALthough the sound quality cannot be considered top rate (the recording was one of the first stereo recordings by Decca), Richter conveys the full drama of the piece and builds up a climax that is absolutely astounding. The other pieces on this disc are also well played, although at times there seems to be a quirkiness to the tempo in the Passacaglia and the Fantasy and Fugue in G minor. The choice of stops by Richter is inventive and although he plays at a leisurely pace compared to more recent performers, the construction of the music is superlatively conveyed without any distraction and hint of boredom