Richter

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's hard to believe that any pianist, living or dead (or, probably, yet-to-be-born) could match, much less surpass, these performances. It was Richter, after all, who made Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition almost as important an item in the standard repertory of the piano as Ravel's orchestration is in that of the orchestra. And it was Richter's performances of it, as well as his example, that have ignited the interest of subsequent generations of pianists in the Bunte Blätter, heretofore one of the most obscure works in the Schumann canon.

Indeed, Richter's only competition in these two pieces is himself. These 1968 performances, taped by the BBC, in front of an audience in London's Kingsway Hall, are both better than the pianist's studio recordings of the same pieces. (Richter's studio version of Pictures was recorded in Moscow in 1958 and is available on BMG; his studio version of the Schumann dates from a 1971 session in Salzburg and is available on an Olympia disc.) Wonderful as this BBC performance of the Mussorgsky is, listeners new to Richter should bypass it for another of the pianist's live accounts: the unsurpassable performance from a 1958 recital in Sofia, Bulgaria (Philips). --Stephen Wigler

Tracks:

Triple Concerto For Violin, Cello & Piano In C, Op. 56: I Allegro
Triple Concerto For Violin, Cello & Piano In C, Op. 56: II Largo
Triple Concerto For Violin, Cello & Piano In C, Op. 56: III Rondo alla polacca
Double Concerto For Violin & Cello In A Minor, Op. 102: I Allegro
Double Concerto For Violin & Cello In A Minor, Op. 102: II Andante
Double Concerto For Violin & Cello In A Minor, Op. 102: III Vivace non troppo

Amazon.com

Among the concertos of Beethoven and Brahms, these two have always been stepchildren. One reason is their extreme difficulty; both composers were pianists, so Beethoven wrote an idiomatic part only for the piano. Brahms's friend Joseph Joachim offered advice for the violin concerto, but not for the Double Concerto, which was written as a peace offering after a falling-out. The Beethoven Triple Concerto demands utmost virtuosity, as well as intimate teamwork among the soloists, and that is exactly what these three supreme masters of their instruments bring to it. Free--indeed unaware--of technical problems, they give it a joyful, sparkling lightness. The piano ripples, the cello sings gorgeously, the violin soars ecstatically, the tone is intoxicatingly beautiful. The Finale is wistful, charming, lyrical, gently humorous; the ending is a big joke, with the cello and piano rumbling in the bass, while the violin whistles forlornly in the dark until they all join together. The Brahms is grand, majestic, dreamy, radiant, triumphant; the slow movement warm as dark velvet, the Finale genial and relaxed. Though the orchestra never covers the soloists, it explodes in the tutti passages, especially in the Beethoven, so you might keep a finger on the volume control. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

There can't be any better!.......2007-05-17

It is not for the names only.
I think it is a performance as Beethoven probably had in mind.

Wonderful smooth rendition.......2007-04-26

There is something magical about this recording. It is difficult to describe the smooth full sound that this recording presents. I own other recordings of the Brahms and the Beethoven and at first thought it a little extravagent to own another but I am very pleased I bought it.

Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter.......2007-01-18

I knew this recording and I received what I was expecting. Delivery and condition was great. Thanks.

Beethoven? Brahms? Karajan? Oistrakh? Richter? Rostropovich? Szell? On One CD? Talk About Star Power!.......2006-09-09

All those big names wouldn't mean a thing if the performances themselves were throw aways or showed little commitment, but that's hardly the case, this is probably the finest recordings of both works. Karajan and Richter for one had some rocky interpretative relations in their recording of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto on DG. That was not a great record, where both musical giants pull and push to try and get their way. So yes, in some ways this Beethoven Triple Concerto presents even more challenges because there are four minds, four egos pitted together in one piece of music and that's not counting the greatest ego, Beethoven himself! Luckily everyone melds beautifully together, the three Russian masters are at their best, with Rostropovich a stand out and shining brightly. Meanwhile Karajan, the Austrian master conductor gives them his usual, grand, lush orchestral backdrop via the Berlin Philharmonic. This is warm-hearted, generous music-making between four fearsomely talented musicians.

The Brahms Double Concerto is just as fine, now we have the two string instrumentalists side by side. Oistrakh and Rostropovich communicate wonderfully together in this major Brahms piece. Szell backs them up every step of the way with his precise yet passionate conducting of the Cleveland Orchestra. The EMI recording sounds very good too in both works and the price is quite nice. An outstanding bargain.

Glorious.......2006-01-30

The unbroken tradition of Russian string playing is well-represented on this disc. The Double Concerto is especially wonderful, even rapturous. The two players are beautifully meshed, and Szell and the Cleveland sound warm and emotive, which they sometimes did not, on records and "live". The sessions they recorded for EMI (including a wonderful Dvorak Eighth, far surpassing their recoridng for Masterworks), captured something that often was not well projected.

The remastering captures this warmth, with more brightness than my LP copy of the Brahms ever had, at least after the initial playings.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven for Babies
Nicest classical CD I have found for my baby (& me)
Ode To Beethoven
Pseudoscientific crap, but some of the music is good here
Nicest classical music CD I've found for my baby (& me)

Beethoven for Babies

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000009OU6
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: The Cottage Maid (Welsh)
Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: The Last Rose Of Summer (Irish)
Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: Chiling O'Guirg (Irish)
Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: English Bulls (Irish)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: St. Patrick's Day (Irish)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: O Mary, At The Window Be (Scottish)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Oh, Thou Are The Lad Of My Heart (Scottish)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Fur Elise
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor ('Pathetique') - Adagio cantabile
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: String Quartet No. 13 In B-Flat - Alla Danza Tedesca. Allegro assai
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 7 In D - Menuetto (Allegro)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: The Creatures Of Prometheus - Finale. Allegretto
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 18 In E-Flat - Menuetto (Moderato e grazioso)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 20 In G - Tempo di menuetto
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 8 In F - Allegro scherzando
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor ('Choral') - Ode To Joy
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 15 In D ('Pastoral') - Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 6 In F ('Pastoral') - Hymn Of Thanksgiving

Amazon.com

For the parent looking to ease their child into a familiarity with classical music, this is a very well chosen set of Beethoven works. It begins with a generous selection of airs composed late in the composer's life. The presence of the flute as the lead instrument on these selections has a soothing quality that moves the ear in an ideally subtle way, especially as it gives way to the more excited piano sonata pieces. Zoltán Kocsis's reading of "Pathétique" is followed by Claudio Arrau's take on the 7th, 15th, and 18th sonatas and Sviatoslav Richter's lyrical take on the 20th ("Pastoral"). Programmed amidst the piano pieces, which are great studies in dynamics and musical spacing, are some fine orchestral snippets, none longer than five minutes. The collection does a fine balancing act, condensing works that don't inherently lend themselves to shortened renditions and carefully managing moods, entry, and egress to each segment. This is fine anthology work. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven for Babies.......2007-05-21

My baby and I really enjoy this CD. It is so fun to feel the baby get excited when I play it. I have a pillow speaker and just place it right up against my stomach. It evens helps me to get in a nap or just rest for a while.

Nicest classical CD I have found for my baby (& me).......2005-09-01

This is a very pleasant CD to listen to, and I think the quality of the music is excellent. I enjoy listening to this with my 10 month old son, and we also listen to the radio and lots of modern music. I recently purchased 5 of the classical "Baby Einstein" CDs and I consider them to be inferior to this Beethoven for Babies CD. The Baby Einstein are very synthesized sounding and I think they are annoyingly mellow and kind of dopey. This Beethoven CD is beautiful. In fact I'm going to buy 1 or 2 more from this series.

Ode To Beethoven.......2005-05-13

The actual reason I bought this cd is for "Fur Elise" but it turned out to be much more than I bargained for. Before road rage sets in while sitting in a traffic jam during rush hour, play this. If you need to take it easy and escape from your reality, play this. Need something to play at work that's not explicit or offensive, play this. Of course, it's not Beethoven himself, but if you need some quiet time, play this. Even while you read, you could play this. If you want some authenticity to your collection, get Beethoven for Babies.

Pseudoscientific crap, but some of the music is good here.......2004-05-27

The 3 stars is only because the hucksters that put this together at least had the decency to tracks featuring Arrau & Richter on this CD. A lot of these "turn your baby into a genius with classical music" CDs and tapes feature only lousy musical performances from hack musicians you have never heard of.

That having been said, if you are stupid enough to believe any of this "Mozart Effect" horse manure --- which continues to have no support in any sort of controlled test environment --- then your babies will probably inherit your limited intellectual capacities & no amount of Beethoven & Mozart will ever be able to help them.

If, on the other hand, you are introducing Junior to classical music, you could do worse --- but you could also do better. Go get Arrau's complete Beethoven sonatas & concerti, get the Berg Quartett's complete Beethoven quartet cycle, and get John Eliot Gardiner's complete Beethoven symphonies --- just for a start. Also, don't stop with Beethoven & Mozart. My 9-month old daughter gets a diverse exposure to a thousand years of music, and very little is off limits. She got acquainted with the Bartok Quartets within her first couple of months, and it doesn't look like we have created an axe murderer or anything like that.

Anyway, if you want to create a classical music lover, do it right and go the distance, rather than doing it piecemeal with CDs like this. Your baby may still be a moron, but at least will be a moron with exquisite taste.

Nicest classical music CD I've found for my baby (& me).......2003-11-23

Average customer rating:

Our favorite CD for all occasions
Bach and Roll!
My daughter loves this CD
Soothing
Classical, Jazz and Opera Bach all in one

Bach for Babies

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Beethoven for Babies
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The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies - Playtime to Sleepytime
The Mozart Effect: Music For Babies: Nighty Night
Build Your Baby's Brain

ASIN: B00000IIYV
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Partita No. 1 in B-Flat: Praeludium
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat: Menuets I & II
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor: Gavotte I - Gavotte II Ou La Musette
French Suite No. 6 In E: Allemande
Suite No. 3 In D For Cello: Bourree I & II
Suite No. 6 For Cello: Gavottes I-II
Prelude In D Minor
Orchestral Suite No. 2 In B Minor For Flutes And Strings: Badinerie
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 In D: Allegro
Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: Prelude No. 3
Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I: Fugue No. 3
(Prelude No. 2 from Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I): Be-Bop Bach
(Fugue No. 2 From Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I): Dixie Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G: Allegro
Suite No. 4 For Cello: Bourree
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat: Giga
'Little' Fugue In G Minor
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 In G: Presto
Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude No. 1 In C
Concerto In D Minor For Oboe And Strings: Sicliano
Suite In E-Flat For Flute And Harp: Gavotte en rondeau
Sonata In E-Flat For Flute And Harp: Sicliano
Minuet In D Minor
Bist Du Bei Mir (When Thou Art Near)

Amazon.com

Programmed similarly to the Beethoven for Babies collection, this set of Bach compositions runs the emotional gamut, from the gently eye opening to the jumpy arm raising, collecting each set of pieces under a thematic header. The first several selections ("Waking Up") feature solo piano works that come directly from Bach's more pedagogic works, compositions intended for students to use as exercises to loosen their touch. Played superbly by pianist Sviatoslav Richter, as well as the Romero brothers (Pepe and Celedonio) on warm guitar, these compositions urge the ear to open. And then you come the pieces gathered under the "Playtime" heading: jazz pianist John Lewis picks up a couple pieces, as do the folks in Canadian Brass. Then the mood shift heads back to the sleepyhead state with "Winding Down" and "And So to Bed," each of which slows the tempo and quiets the passion to a doze. This is a fine set of Bach works. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Our favorite CD for all occasions.......2005-05-15

This is absolutely my favorite CD that we bought for our baby! We've bought quite a few classical-music-for-baby compilations, and this is far and away the best. The music is fun, flirty, stimulating, sweet, and beautifully performed. It's not syrupy, dumbed-down, or played on electronic instruments like some of those other compilations. We listen to it all the time. I now buy this as a baby shower gift for everyone I know!

Bach and Roll!.......2004-04-26

You can't beat Bach. If classical music is the thing you want for your baby, get this CD. If you are single and have no kids, but classical music is your thing, get this CD. This is fantastic reading music, study music (regardless of what you're studying), and just plain relaxing music. I also highly recommend the CD, BUILD YOUR BABY'S BRAIN 1.

My daughter loves this CD.......2003-02-24

She's one-year-old now, and she's been listening to this CD since she was 1 month old. Recommend it for those new parents that can't come up with any other way to lay their little ones to sleep.

Soothing.......2002-07-29

Very soothing. Calms my baby everytime I play it! And yes, they actually do listen to music and enjoy it! I recommend this as an essential item for any new baby!

Classical, Jazz and Opera Bach all in one.......2001-05-30

This is a versatile collection in terms of composition, performance and layout. Comparing to most of CD with classical selections for baby, this edition is more nutritious and rich on musical experience. Genre wise, the piano solo, concerti, chamber and opera are all included. Performance wise, it is absolute a feast -- Sir Neville Marrier conducting Academy of St. Martin-in-the fields, Jazz Pianist John Lewis delivering the charming and uplifting variation, and Kiri Te Kanawa's heavenly creamy voice. The combination of these musicians and recordings is a decision with great artistic sensibility. The layout is perfectly arranged -- from the waking up, playtime and to the bed. This is not just another CD juggles some pieces together from a brandy composer. For a more serious editing of baby music, this shall be something as a guideline.

Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata

Average customer rating:

Great But Not The Greatest
On the Lizst piano sonata
To unbalance for rebalance!
Consummate Mastery In The Liszt Concertos
The best CD of Liszt's major piano works

Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata
Franz Liszt , Kiril Kondrashin , London Symphony Orchestra , and Sviatoslav Richter
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Liszt: 10 Hungarian Rhapsodies
Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116
Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos
Liszt: Favourite Piano Works
Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos / Richter

ASIN: B0000041C4
Release Date: 1995-07-18

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 1. Allegro maestoso
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 2. Quasi adagio
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 3. Allegretto vivace - Allegro animato
Piano Concerto No. 1 In E flat: 4. Allegro marziale animato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: Adagio sostenuto assai - Allegro agitato assai
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: Allegro deciso - Marziale un poco meno allegro
Piano Concerto No. 2 In A: Allegro animato
Sonata In B Minor: Lento assai - Allegro energico
Sonata In B Minor: Andante sostenuto
Sonata In B Minor: Allegro energico - Andante sostenuto - Lento assai

Amazon.com

Since they were first issued, Sviatoslov Richter's Liszt Piano Concertos have been widely admired as the finest performances available, and for most listeners they still are. Now they have been remastered by none other than Wilma Cozart Fine, Mercury Living Presence's goddess of the sound console, and they have come up sounding better than ever. To make matters even more exciting, you also get Richter's well-nigh definitive performance of the massive Sonata in B Minor--and all for only mid-price! Even if you hate Liszt, hate concertos, hate pianos, hate Russians, hate music in general, you should own and treasure (or punish yourself regularly) with this recording. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Although Sviatoslav Richter's account has power and authority, it's best in the meditative moments, which are almost balletic in their grace. The Russian pianist achieves seamless transitions from one mood to the next, and his countryman on the podium sees to it that there is a wonderful dovetailing of the accompaniment around the solo. Richter is especially magical at the end of the Adagio, where he anticipates the shadings of Liszt's late style. This was originally a Mercury "Living Presence" recording; it has been tellingly remastered by its original producer, and sounds remarkably more vivid than when Philips first issued it on CD. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Great But Not The Greatest.......2007-06-14

Of course, as great pianists go, Richter is perhaps the best all-rounder, and like many a pianophile I probably have more recordings by him than by any other single pianist. Nevertheless, there is greater refinement and daring in Byron Janis's Mercury Living Presence recording of the Liszt concertos. Much as I also like serious and probing accounts of the Liszt sonata and so would not part with Arrau on Philips (coupled with a fine Vallee d'Obermann and a superb Benediction), it is difficult to return to him or indeed to Richter once you have encountered Martha Argerich's astonishing recording of the sonata on her Debut Recital compilation on DG. Richter's only fault was that he could occasionally take too firm an approach to a piece just as Michelangeli could sometimes seem to be too aloof. Richter's virtuosity could be astonishing (the Mendelssohn Variations serieuses appended to the Richter/Rostropovich DVD of the complete Beethoven cello sonatas, the Chopin Etude Op10 No4 on the Bruno Monsiagneon DVD, and Debussy's L'Isle joyeuse on BBC Legends) - and his poetry could be just as breathtaking (the Chopin Ballade No3 on the same BBC CD set) - but sometimes Richter could also go over the top and allow his ferocious virtuosity to squeeze the poetry out of a piece. Neither the Liszt concerto recordings nor the sonata are cases of this approach, but nor are they Richter at his most completely inspired - and for my money the Janis and Argerich recordings are superior for the COMBINATION of virtuosity and poetry. Byron and Martha rule on this occasion!

On the Lizst piano sonata.......2007-02-28

Might I mention one performance that Jeffrey Lipscomb omits - that recorded live in Budapest 1960. It was issued as a Phillips Legendary Classics CD, 422 137-2. The cd is a sort of twin to the 1958 Sofia Concert but has always been very much harder to find. This is my favorite of the recordings I know.

There is also a performance in the Chopin/Liszt box from the Authorised Recordings collection, Phillips again, 438 620-2. The minimal information claims it was recorded in 1988 but I believe it is the Livorno 1966 version.

To unbalance for rebalance! .......2006-08-23

It's far to be a mere casualty, the fact Richter and Francois have become the most important performers in which concern the major achievement of Franz Liszt `s Piano Concertos. Both pianists have some similarities, first and foremost, they possessed a nonchalant respect for the objective rules of interpretation so frequently watched until the 60's. Additionally, they created atmospheres every time they played and the glorious musical intuition, logic consequence of that irreverent posture before the rational way of playing the piano, permitted them to discover and explore new horizons around these well known and many times neglected works. They caught the entire attention of the public, because the Dionysian spirit made they considered these Op. as transient works between an agonic Romanticism and an emerging musical Impressionist. That explains why composers such Bartok, Respighi or Reger decided to undertake new musical paths.

The main difference between Richter, Francois and the rest is they illuminated and explored new facets of the score. Go for this unavoidable album an then you will agree with me.

The performance of the Sonata in B minor is mesmerizing.

Consummate Mastery In The Liszt Concertos.......2005-04-25

If you are new to the late Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, arguably the greatest all-round keyboard virtuoso of the last century, this is a splendid place to start. And if you are new to Liszt's piano concertos, there is little need to look any farther. Few "legendary" recordings live up to the praise heaped upon them so deservedly as these classic 1961 studio recordings. Richter's inspired blend of drama and poetry is matched by a superb accompaniment from Kondrashin and the London Symphony. Philips here has actually improved on the sound of the original LPs: only a trace of hiss betrays the fact that these performances were taped over four decades ago.

However, for Richter collectors, the situation is a little more complicated. These concertos are sensibly coupled with a "live" 1966 concert reading (from Livorno) of Liszt's Piano Sonata. Recently, Philips has re-issued these same concertos (minus the Liszt Sonata) in a coupling with three Beethoven sonatas (#10, 19 & 20). The sound on the newer disc is SLIGHTLY better than what is heard on this less expensive CD. Of course, Richter completists will want to have both.

Further complicating the situation, BBC Legends has issued the "live" 1961 Richter/Kondrashin concerto accounts (Royal Albert Hall, London) that preceded these studio recordings. While I generally prefer the "spontaneity" of actual concert performances, I think the studio accounts here are a little better realized and have superior sound. But again, the compleat Richterphile will need to own both: the BBC CD also has a "live" Liszt Hungarian Fantasia and Chopin's "Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise." The Chopin is a personal favorite, along with the Czerny-Stefanska/Smetacek version on Supraphon (see my review). So, in short, I own both Philips releases as well as the BBC concert CD.

That brings us back to the Liszt Sonata, which Richter never recorded in the studio. This 1966 account is one of four "live" recordings by Richter (all of which have some wrong notes). It's superior to the 1965 Aldeburgh (Classica d'Oro), which is very messy and rushed, and about on a par with the 1965 Moscow (Brilliant Classics). All in all, it's a rather analytical reading, and I would rank it just behind historic recordings by Simon Barere (mine's on Turnabout LP) and Ernst Levy (on a wonderful Marston CD that includes a great account of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata).

Unfortunately, Richter's GREATEST account of the Liszt Sonata is the only one that is currently un-available: a stupendously well-controlled, supremely poetic 18 May 1965 concert performance from Carnegie Hall. This was first issued on a rare LP (Private Edition P-101, apparently the only record issued by that label). I bought a copy in Manhattan back around 1974 for $20 - a princely sum in those days for a sole LP (adjusted for inflation, it's likely the most I have ever paid for a single disc). It also included the most awesomely well-played Mendelssohn "Variations Serieuses" I have ever heard (22 April 1965, Brooklyn), plus Richter's finest version of Beethoven's Op. 101 Sonata (3 May 1965, Carnegie Hall). This stunning Liszt Sonata was briefly available on a "Legendary Pianists" CD (Philips 422137, now deleted).

So, to summarize: 1) This Philips disc contains the greatest studio accounts of Liszt's piano concertos known to me, 2) You may want to supplement it with Richter's "live" BBC accounts, and 3) Hopefully, Philips will re-issue that fabulous "live" 1965 Liszt Sonata from Carnegie Hall. The latter is the greatest account of the Liszt Sonata I have ever heard, and just possibly Richter's greatest-ever recording, period. Philips, are you listening? [Nov. 2005 update: the 1965 Carnegie Hall reading of the Liszt Sonata has recently been re-issued on a Palexa CD, which is available here at Amazon]

Highly recommended.

The best CD of Liszt's major piano works.......2004-10-22

Franz Liszt had written an enomous piano works, including Rhapsodies, Waltzes, Préludes, Annees de Pelerinage, Etudes, Transcriptions, Symphonic Poems... And the number of works goes to the thousands. But he just wrote two concertos and one sonata. I believe they are some of most beautiful concertos and sonatas in classical.

When talk about Liszt, people often think about V. Horowitz, J. Bolet, E. Szegedi, or G. Cziffra. Even some famous pianists said "Noone can't play Liszt like Horowitz". It could be true, but not with these concertos and sonata. Richter had made a legendary record with outstanding technique. Comparing to Argerich, Cziffra in concertos and Horowitz in sonata in B, Richter played more dramatically and gently. Especially in concerto N. 1, Adagios, every notes like drops of crystal. Performed with Kiril Kondrashin and London Symphony Orchestra, this is a must have CD in your collection. Another CD of Liszt's concertos you could consider is Boris Berezovsky - Liszt concerto and sonata in B (Leonskaya). Boris Berezovsky is a young pianist (1969) with briliant talen and won Tchaikovsky competition in 1990.

Moreover, there are many valuable albums of Richter you can find if you want to explore more about this pianist, like Richter in Prague, Rediscovery - with Prokofiev's sonata No. 6 played in Carnegie Hall, Schumann's works...

Average customer rating:

Bach for Relaxation
Peaceful and Beautiful
Bach to knit up your raveled sleeve of care
My favorite...
Wonderful for baby!

Bach for Relaxation

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003G7C
Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Suite BWV1012: Allemande
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6: Adagio ma non tanto
The Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude In C
Trio Sonata No. 4, BWV1079: Andante
Violino solo e Basso l'accompagnato
Sonata BWV1005: Largo
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4: Andante
Violin Concerto BWV1041: Andante
Flute Sonata BWV1034: Andante
The Goldberg Variations: Aria
Lute Suite No. 1 BWV996: Courante
Sonata No. 1 For Violin And Harpsichord BWV1014: Andante
The Well Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude In E - Flat Minor (excerpt)
Concerto For Flute, Violin, And Harpsicord BMV 1044: Adagio
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2: Andante
Sonata BWV1001: Siciliano
Prelude In D Minor BWV999
Orchestral Suite No. 3 BWV1068: Air On The G-String

Customer Reviews:

Bach for Relaxation.......2007-03-09

This is a great CD of instrumental Bach music. I listen to it very often

Peaceful and Beautiful.......2002-11-01

I have purchased this CD twice, first for myself to listen to during labor and secondly for a friend who has a new, very stressful job. I love the music on this CD, it is wonderfully played and listening it to it during labor was very helpful and uplifting. Now both my daughter and I enjoy listening to it, and during fussy days it calms her down a bit, which is very nice. The music truly brings on a serene feeling without making one sleepy, which means its great for anytime you just need to relax yet stay alert. I'll be giving it to my friend for the holidays, and I'm sure she'll love it as much as we do.

Bach to knit up your raveled sleeve of care.......2001-12-19

What better way to begin 'Bach for Relaxation' than with "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." This CD is not dumbed-down Johann Sebastian Bach just because it advertises itself as relaxation music (which was my initial fear before purchase). Good orchestras and soloists perform the nineteen well-chosen chamber works, ranging from the deceptively simple "Prelude in C" from "The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1" (Sviatoslav Richter, piano) to selections from the powerful Brandenburg Concertos.

This is Bach in his most serene, mathematically perfect form. None of his mighty organ or choral works will disturb your contemplative mood as you drift through the sixty-eight minutes of this CD.

I'm usually asleep by track fifteen, the adagio from "Concerto for Flute, Violin & Harpsichord BWV 1044."

Another very good CD in this 'relaxation' series from BMG RCAVictor is "Cello for Relaxation."

My favorite..........2000-11-21

This is one of my favorite classical CD's. It is a composition of soft, calmer Bach, and is perfect for almost any occassion. This is a great CD for first time classical listeners or long time fans ... It functions as perfect dinner background music, or to listen to alone. I highly recommend this compilation of Bach.

Wonderful for baby!.......1999-12-04

We received this as a baby gift and it has been a godsend. Our newborn relaxes to the sound of this when nothing else works. We also love it for ourselves; the CD contains the best of Bach's less fiery works, and the musical interpretation and recording quality are outstanding.

Average customer rating:

Virtuosic Trumpet: Baroque And Classical Showcase
superb playing
The Best Trumpeter in the Business
Virtuosic... Incredible
A non-trumpet player's view...

Famous Classical Trumpet Concertos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Trumpet Concertos
Greatest Hits: Trumpet
Baroque Trumpet Concertos
Wynton Marsalis - Baroque Music for Trumpet
Bach: Works for Trumpet

ASIN: B00002DDWM
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Trumpet Concerto In E: 1. Allegro Con Spirito
Trumpet Concerto In E: 2. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In E: 3. Rondo
Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Allegro Non Troppo
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Largo
Trumpet Concerto In D: 3. Vivace
Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Allegro Non Troppo Presto
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto In D: 3. Allegro Molto
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat, Hob. VIIIe:1: 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat, Hob. VIIIe:1: 2. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat, Hob. VIIIe:1: 3. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Allegro Moderato
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In D: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Trumpet Concerto In D: 1. Andante
Trumpet Concerto In D: 2. Allegro Moderato
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: 2. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In E Flat: 3. Vivace
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In D: 1. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In D: 2. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 In D: 3. Allegro
Trumpet Concerto No. 2 In C: 1. Adagio
Trumpet Concerto No. 2 In C: 2. Allegro Molto
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 1. Grave
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 2. Allegro
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 3. Grave
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 4. Allegro
Sonata In D For Trumpet, Two Violins And Continuo: 5. Allegro
Concerto In B Flat, Op. 7 No. 3: 1. Allegro
Concerto In B Flat, Op. 7 No. 3: 2. Adagio
Concerto In B Flat, Op. 7 No. 3: 3. Allegro
Adagio In G Minor
Trumpet Tune
Chorale Preludes: 'Erbarm Dich Mein, O Herre Gott' BWN 721
Chorale Preludes: 'Ich Ruf' Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ' BWV 639
Chorale Preludes: 'Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen' BWV 727
Ave Maria

Customer Reviews:

Virtuosic Trumpet: Baroque And Classical Showcase.......2004-02-22

This album is an incredible showcase for the trumpet and the orchestra, in other words, the trumpet concerto. Hakan Hardenberger, the featured trumpet player, is highly talented and at the top of his game. Even the great jazz and classical trumpeter Winston Marsalis does'nt seem to reach the flights of fancy on the trumpet as does Hakan Hardenberger. Hardenberger masters the trumpet to perfection, capturing every nuance and every tone, from fortissimo fanfares to the softest pianissimo. On this compilation are the trumpet concerti of Baroque and Classical Era composers, among them Corelli and Albinoni and the Classical masters Franz Joseph Haydn and Leopold Mozart, Mozart's father. The sheer scale and magnetism of this music cannot be neglected. It is the greatest gathering of trumpet concerti ever made. The trumpet was perhaps the most fascinating instrument for Baroque composers. The trumpet produces grand, triumphant tones when played forte. It was an instrument that was displayed in ceremonial pomp- weddings, coronations and marches. The Baroque composers were sponsored by kings so they were expected to compose music for trumpet, which could be expressive not only as a fanfare for the king himself, but as an instrument of many dynamics. It can be played softly and slowly, which seems to create a nocturnal, reflective mood and staccato and fast-paced which made the music sound exciting and lively. In my opinion, it was the premier instrument of the Baroque Age.

The cd opens with the Trumpet Concerto In E Flat Major by Johann Hummel. This colorful piece is particularily impressive as it really explores the dynamic potential for the trumpet. It's third movement, the Rondo, is very exciting music, as it is played very fast and in a bouncy, dance-like manner. The Trumpet Concerto by Stamitz, Hertel and Richter are very stylish and must have been highly admired in the Baroque Era. The Trumpet concerto in E by Franz Joseph Haydn, who influenced Mozart, is beautiful, especially in its serenade-style andante second movement. In the last cd, Leopold Mozart's trumpet concerto is featured, and it's a good work. Perhaps his son Mozart greatly admired it, though Mozart did'nt really expand on trumpet concerti himself nor really ever showcased the instrument greatly. There are trumpet arrangements for the famous Albinoni Adagio in G, which on this version, sounds chilling, dark and dramatic. The cd concludes with trumpet versions of Bach's Organ Preludes and the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria.

superb playing.......2003-10-30

Hardenberger is indeed an extraordinary. The playing is right up there with the best of them. One thing unique to hardnberger is his ability to lock in ever note of every passage reguardless of register, speed, etc. In addition he playes with great character. The only reason i give hims less than 5 stars is because his lyricism, the most important thing, is surpassed by Maurice Andre and Phil Smith without questiong. especially after seing all of them live and buying their CDs. He is definitely among the greatests ever.

The Best Trumpeter in the Business.......2003-05-25

It's a rare treat for a reviewer when he can throw caution to the winds and go out on a limb for a musician. This is such an occasion for me. Hakan Hardenberger is a phenomenon. I think he is the Babe Ruth, the Wayne Gretzky, the Michael Jordan, the Vladimir Horowitz, the Jascha Heifetz of trumpet players.

Hardenberger is a Swedish trumpeter who made his first recording (Haydn, Hummel, Hertel, and Stamitz trumpet concertos, with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields under Neville Marriner, on Philips) in 1986 when he was only 25 years old (in the cover photo of the original CD he looks like a boy). The first time I played this debut CD of his, my jaw dropped and I could hardly believe my ears. His playing was a revelation--absolutely stunning. I'd never heard trumpet playing to compare with it. In my opinion, with his first two CDs young Hardenberger not only moved into the top rank of trumpeters; he swept right past his competitors to the head of the class. I've compared a number of his baroque concerto performances, here and elsewhere, with those of other famous trumpeters, and he always comes out on top. I believe him to be in a league of his own. He has everything: virtuosity and technique to burn, dead-on intonation, clean trills, smooth legato, expressive shading, beauty of tone, brilliant high notes, enormous dynamic range. He is also a sound musician, with taste and a sense of style. His arsenal is complete and unassailable; there is no chink in his armor.

Everything that was on that debut CD is now in this Philips Duo set, which is a much better value, because it offers two generously filled CDs--72:55 and 78:27--for the price of one, adding most of the contents of two later Hardenberger CDs of baroque music for trumpet (the recordings here were made from 1986 through 1993). It's a good buy, and if you're going to own only one collection of baroque trumpet music, this is the one I'd recommend.

The trumpet has always been a difficult instrument to record and reproduce accurately. Here, although the consistently excellent digital recording presents Hardenberger very much front and center, it captures the timbre, "bite," and wide dynamic range of his trumpet with exemplary vividness and fidelity. On a top-quality playback system, he sounds like he's standing right between the speakers playing for you. And what playing it is! Not to be missed.

Hardenberger's second CD, of Telemann Trumpet Concertos, also accompanied by the ASMF, this time under Iona Brown, was recorded in 1987 (again on Philips). It too is marvelous, fully as impressive as his first CD, but unfortunately none of it is included in the Philips Duo reviewed here, so you have to acquire it separately. It's well worth it.

Long live the king!

Virtuosic... Incredible.......2001-08-06

You don't have to be a fan of the instrument in order to appreciate and become overwhelmed by the beauty, the splendor and acrobatics of the trumpet. In the Baroque era, it was a instrument for the royal treatment and heralded arrival of kings and war. The performances here are excellent- Hardenberger, I Musici and Neville Marriner and his orchestra deliver virtuosic renditions of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E flat, Hummel's, Hertel's, Molter's and Albinoni's concerti, as well as incredible arrangements of Ave Maria by Bach and Albinoni's Adagio.

A non-trumpet player's view..........2001-02-12

Although I love classical music and have done so for a long time, I must confess that I am not a trumpet player. With that said, I must say that these two CDs are wonderful. My first recording of the Hummel and the Haydn concertos was the second Marsalis/Leppard/ECO recording on Sony Classical (titled Wynton Marsalis - The London Concert). Inexperienced with trumpet recordings at the time, I really treasured the CD. After all, a big name artist known for his virtuosity was performing the technically demanding concertos. What more could you ask for? After a while, though, I began to feel that Marsalis didn't really do it for me in these works. Sure, he played with a flair (and what a flair it was), but he lacked the focused, rich tone that I've come to associate with great trumpet players (Herseth comes to mind here).

The current reviewed recording, on the other hand, is quite a piece of gem. Even though I have never heard of Hardenberger before (you trumpet players out there please excuse my ignorance), he delivers precisely what I am looking for. Hardenberger has the centered tone that most trumpeters would envy, yet he lacked none of the technical virtuosity needed for the music. His vibrato is light and very classical (as opposed to the wider jazz vibrato). On top of all that, he shows much understanding and affinity for the various works on these two CDs.

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...

Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter

Average customer rating:

Robert Schumann piano Sviatoslav Richter
Richter plays Schumann
& I thought Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 was my favorite!
schumann's chamber concerto
Best of the best

Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos / Richter
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The Sofia Recital 1958
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Schumann: The 4 Symphonies

ASIN: B000001GQS
Release Date: 1996-04-09

Tracks:

Konzert Fur Klavier Und Orchestera - Op. 54: 1. Allegro Affettuoso
Konzert Fur Klavier Und Orchestera - Op. 54: 2. Intermezzo Andantino - Attacca
Konzert Fur Klavier Und Orchestera - Op. 54: 3. Allegro Vivace
Introduction Und Allegro Appassionato G - Dur Op. 92
Novellette F - Dur Op. 21 No. 1
Toccata C - Dur Op. 7
Waldszenen Op. 82: Entry
Waldszenen Op. 82: Hunters On The Lookout
Waldszenen Op. 82: Lonely Flowers
Waldszenen Op. 82: Place Of Evil Fame
Waldszenen Op. 82: Friendly Landscape
Waldszenen Op. 82: Shelter
Waldszenen Op. 82: Bird As Prophet
Waldszenen Op. 82: Hunting Song
Waldszenen Op. 82: Farewell

Amazon.com essential recording

If you want to judge a pianist's versatility, listen to his or her recording of the Schumann Piano Concerto. It requires virtually everything a pianist should have to offer: poetry, virtuosity, expansive expression alternating with poised restraint. What a glorious test piece this is. Richter, who was famous for his Schumann playing, passes every test here. His meltingly beautiful delivery of Schumann's melodies touches the heart, and his execution of the most difficult passages is so smooth and effortless that it never calls a bit of attention to itself. In this piece and the Introduction and Allegro, the excellent orchestra also covers itself with glory. The solo pieces are no less wonderful. The way Richter plays the difficult Toccata is almost scary in its combination of power and velocity. The Forest Scenes is a slightly older recording (1956) than the others (1958), but it still sounds lovely. Catch Richter's whirlwind playing of "Traumes-Wirren" and you'll understand right away why other pianists had such respect for his technique. Listen to his "Prophet Bird" and he'll touch your heart. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Robert Schumann piano Sviatoslav Richter.......2007-03-08

Dexterity of Richter is world class . As a classical pianist I was disappointed with the frequency response of the recording. Although probably digitized still a lot of the frequencies were missing. If I had to choose again I would select a relatively recent performance .

Richter plays Schumann.......2005-12-05

All of us who admire the supreme interpretative status of Sviatoslav Richter know about his variable temperament. That personal feature permeated every piece he played in his fruitful career. The Piano Concerto has been played for so many pianists in the most different approach. It is a piece of irresistible romantic ethos, who can deny it? .

This version remained indeed, as one the most prominent in the market for years; but there were many more: Lipatti, Michelangeli, Rubinstein, Cortot ,Van Cliburn, Yves Nat among many others, we should wait until the most elegant, expressive, eloquent and committed performance ever recorded : Ivan Moravec with the Czech Philharmonic conducted by Vaclav Neumann (a very hard to find CD).

That fact established more than just a line; a true frontier, a reference pattern, very hard to surpass until this date. Richter 's performance is something inexpressive, he could make a major and best performance. But despite of it, remains among the ten best available and trustable versions.

The rest of the CD is absolutely perfect .I don't know about any other version of Introduction and Allegro capable to match with it. His Novelette is very expressive and sensitive with the only exception of the monumental version of Wilhelm Kempff and one register of Emil Gilels.

The Toccata is simply memorable; there are , however two very remarkable version: Martha Argerich and Vladimir Horowitz. The Waldzsenen Op. 82 is a a very genuine jewel.

Go for this, keeping in mind there are better options respect the piano Concerto.

& I thought Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 was my favorite!.......2004-11-04

That is...until I heard the first few notes of this Schumann concerto. I was literally in tears the first 50 times I listened to the 1st movement of this concerto. Personally I'm not a big fan of Schumann's work, but this is the absolute best piano concerto, and it is a "must buy" for any piano lover. This recording also substantiated my love for Richter's playing.

schumann's chamber concerto.......2003-07-17

as the other reviews have said, this is a remarkable performance. the ensemble playing is crisp without being rigid, and the players are recorded with the clarity of a chamber orchestra: all the instrumental soloists are distinguished and the balance with the soloist is perfect. richter creates a subtle range of moods within the overall perspective of each movement -- hard to do in a concerto role, as the orchestra must contribute to the effect -- though his dynamic contrasts are not as extreme as typical. the cumulative effect is apollonian, magisterial, and timeless. the solo pieces are marvelous technical and interpretive displays as well.

Best of the best.......2002-09-20

This recording of Schumann's concerto is simply the best: the orchestra is very good (despite reviews to the contrary), the soloist-orchestra interplay is superb, and Richter's playing is divine.

If you listen to this recording repeatedly, and then compare it with other good or very good recordings (Lipatti, Serkin, Moravec, Staier), you'll notice the differences: you will be aware how these latter pianists search for the correct interpretation of certain passages, and often they succeed. You'll be also aware, however, that Richter does not interpret. He simply plays it the way Schumann must have intended the work, i.e. the way it has to be played. It's not a matter of technique - in this respect, many(but not too many) pianists are as good as Richter. It's just like Schumann's spirit has penetrated Richter's nervous system and guides his fingers.

When you're not listening to the concerto for a long time, and then try to "play" it in your head, you will reckognize that it "sounds" like the Richter-Rowicki recording. And you will notice flaws in all other recordings.

Tracks:

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor: 1. Moderato
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor: 2. Adagio sostenuto
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor: 3. Allegro scherzando
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor: 1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor: 2. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo -Tempo I
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor: 3. Allegro con fuoco

Amazon.com essential recording

Although the late Sviatoslav Richter spent his later years concentrating on Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn, he never completely abandoned the music of his native country. His reading of Rachmaninov's most popular concerto, captured in fine late-'50s stereo, is one of the most glorious ever recorded. Richter's amazing technique is completely up to the demands of Rachmaninov's difficult writing, and he plays the heart-on-sleeve melodies with such refined intensity that they never sound sentimental. This performance is a truly amazing example of great pianism, very strongly supported by the fine orchestra and its little-known conductor. Unfortunately, the accompanying Tchaikovsky is a dud. Karajan and Richter recorded this work together as a favor to a record-company executive, but they don't seem to be in sympathy. The conductor's excessive refinement holds the pianist back, and the result is much too restrained for the music. Never mind. The Rachmaninov alone is easily worth the price of this disc. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Great performance, poor remastering.......2007-02-19

Previous reviews extoll the virtues of Richter's performance, and indeed it is magnificent. Unfortunately, the remastering of this recording did not produce a quality result. The dynamics are poor, resulting in fuzzy strings, and horns and a less than vibrant sound from Richter's piano. There is no sense of "presence". This is a valuable recording for those with two or more copies of the Rach 2, who want this one as a historic performance or for collectors of Richter. If this is your first copy and you have a decent sound system, steer clear.

Eloquence with hands of steel and a heart of fire.......2006-07-09

Richter's work has long been a benchmark in the library of piano virtuosity, but in these two selections, he has transcended normal experience. For an artist to insert himself into the world of music on such a grand scale is to take great risks, and that is exactly what he has done. I believe that at a point, Richter and the music become one and the same. It is as though he were fused to each note. The result is a performance that is both flawless and yet, warm, sonorous and full. There is nothing that he has left out. He is an artist for the ages, and we are richer for his presence at the keyboard.

A performance that will live as long as recorded music.......2006-01-19

There is nearly unanimous consensus that Richter's 1959 recording of the Rachmaninov 2nd rises to a height challenged only by the composer himself. Richter's ability to play the fastest passagework while moving from soft to loud and back again is breathtaking--speed doesn't change his control over dynamics one bit. But that's to pick out a single aspect of a performance that is by turns noble, lyrical, passionate, and poetic. One could spend the whole performance marveling just at the independence of Richter's two hands. He rescues this thrice-familiar work from its fulsome reputation. Rowicki conducts well, but the recorded sound is thin, and the Warsaw Phil. decidedly provincial. None of which matters a bit.

Reviewers here echo the Amazon critic in disparaging the Tchaikovsky First from 1963, although it is in better sound than the Rchmaninov and played better by the orchestra, too--Karajan had a special relationship with the Vienna Sym., a sorry ensemble under most conductors. I like this performance a great deal. Richter isn't highly individual--he plays for strength and dignity in the first movement, not for Horowitz's burn-down-the-house virtuosity, and in the last movement he applies restrained delicacy. Since the Tchaikovsky First is the deadest of dead horses to me, I liked hearing such thoughtful musicality. As for Richter and Karajan being on different pages, they sound together to me. Taste, what can you say? Five stars for both performances.

Idyosincratic Tchaikovsky , enigmatic Rachmaninov!.......2004-08-17

The Tchaikovsky piano concerto was approached for Richter as a imperial concert and not as a simple introspective and romantic work .
This idea is extremely remarkable since you muts notice the fact the three first symphonies are deeply imperials , epic and surrounded for the epic majesty and russian pride .
But since the four till the sixth , the conception changes completely . We see the man and his inner sorrows and his fears.
In this sense the most of the western pianist play Tchaikovsky , as the wounded man tired due his personal tragedy .
Richter turns around the clock and reveals Tchaikovsky with the same spirit that we know in his first Symphny , radian and filled with vitality and fierce.
The slow tempo does not mean a rendition but a clever statement about a transition between the youth and the mature age . Karajan in this sense did not make any special contributtion in this case . He respected Richter and knew about his special rapport for Tchaikovsky . I mean you will feel the required histamina in the last bars but as a natural consequence of the musical language and not a simple firework exercise.
In the case of Rachmaninov , Richter keeps the romantic mood , and he avoids the excesive self indulgence so typical of Rachmaninov .
The emphasis turns around another levels , such as the epic nosthalgy for the land he will never see again and obviosuly the hidden homagge to his beloved friend the hypnotist doctor Dahl who rescued him from the alcohol hell .
Rowicki was one of the best polish conductors in any age . He understood perfectly this rapture feeling and the key was simply overwhelming .
Fundamental issue in your personal collection.

POWER.......2004-05-20

Richter's performance on this cd reminds me very much of Rush's 2112 album. You are captivated from the moment you hit play, and you are taken on a journey. But by the end, you realize that every time you will pay it another visit, you will discover a whole new world of aesthetics that you had no prior perception of. Not just compositionally, but the same goes for what Richter's soul has to say. It's like getting two stories in one! This may initially sound ironic, given that his devilishly careful, almost brooding pacing, finds many listeners opting for Ashkenazy's spin. However, for me, the more thoughtful ... a performance is, the more intricacies there are to be found. When you listen to Rush, you barely get anything from the first listen... but you just KNOW that there IS an eternity of SOMETHING to be gathered, if you listen over and over again. So, in either case, you become strangely obsessed and fixated, drawn to listen just one more time. I suppose to really go out there, I will compare Richter to an artistic bag of potato chips. You must just keep going. That's not to say you get nothing from the first listen! Indeed, those familiar with the concerto and/or Richter will be blown away, regardless. But with every chord of the 1st movement of the Rach 2nd, you sense a world of unspoken stories, meaning, content! Warning, though - if you don't like being analytical, this isn't the recording for you. People complain of orchestral faults, injections of political issues, etc. etc.... but what captivates me every time I listen to Richter, is how superb he is at upping the ante for the utopian combination of brains and emotion. ... The same is to be said for the Tchaikovsky. Whatever stressors surround the nature of the recording, a true musician puts it all aside (OR uses it as fuel to the fire!) and performs a miracle at the piano. If you are openminded, buy this - you won't be disappointed. Rather,... you'll become addicted.

Average customer rating:

The very best performance of WTC
Sound Quality Problems
A little more about the sound
Richter gives great WTC but not on this recording
It's Bach and Richter, but the recording quality....

Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier
Johann Sebastian Bach , and Sviatoslav Richter
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach: Goldberg Variations
Bach: The Art of Fugue; Musical Offering
The Sofia Recital 1958
A State of Wonder: The Complete Goldberg Variations (1955 & 1981)

ASIN: B000026OHN
Release Date: 1992-01-06

Tracks:

Prelude & Fugue I BWV 846 In C Major
Prelude & Fugue II BWV 847 In C Minor
Prelude & Fugue III BWV 848 In C Sharp Major
Prelude & Fugue IV BWV 849 In C Sharp Minor
Prelude & Fugue V BWV 850 In D Major
Prelude & Fugue VI BWV 851 In D Minor
Prelude & Fugue VII BWV 852 In E Flat Major
Prelude & Fugue VIII BWV 853 In E Flat Minor
Prelude & Fugue IX BWV 854 In E Major
Prelude & Fugue X BWV 855 In E Minor
Prelude & Fugue XI BWV 856 In F Major
Prelude & Fugue XII BWV 857 In F Minor
Prelude & Fugue XIII BWV 858 In F Sharp Major
Prelude & Fugue XIV BWV 859 In F Sharp Minor

Tracks:

Prelude & Fugue XV BWV 860 In G Major
Prelude & Fugue XVI BWV 861 In G Minor
Prelude & Fugue XVII BWV 862 In A Flat Major
Prelude & Fugue XVIII In G Sharp Minor
Prelude & Fugue XIX BWV In A Major
Prelude & Fugue XX BWV 865 In A Minor
Prelude & Fugue XXI BWV 866 In B Flat Major
Prelude & Fugue XXII BWV 867 In B Flat Minor
Prelude & Fugue XXIII BWV 868 In Major
Prelude & Fugue XXIV BWV 869 In B Minor

Tracks:

Prelude & Fugue I BWV 870 In C Major
Prelude & Fugue II BWV 871 In C Minor
Prelude & Fugue III BWV 872 In C Sharp Major
Prelude & Fugue IV BWV 873 In C Sharp Minor
Prelude & Fugue V BWV 874 In D Major
Prelude & Fugue VI BWV 875 In D Minor
Prelude & Fugue BWV 876 In E Flat Major
Prelude & Fugue VIII BWV 877 In D Sharp Minor
Prelude & Fugue IX BWV 878 In E Major
Prelude & Fugue X BWV 879 In E Minor
Prelude & Fugue XI BWV 880 In F Major
Prelude & Fugue XII BWV 881 In F Minor
Prelude & Fugue XIII In F Sharp

Tracks:

Prelude & Fugue XIV BWV 883 In F Sharp Minor
Prelude & Fugue XV In G Minor
Prelude & Fugue XVI BWV 885 In G Minor
Prelude & Fugue XVII BWV 886 In A Flat Major
Prelude & Fugue XVIII BWV 887 In G Sharp Minor
Prelude & Fugue XIX BWV 888 In A Major
Prelude & Fugue XX BWV 889 In A Minor
Prelude & Fugue XXI BWV 890 In B Flat Major
Prelude & Fugue XXII BWV 891 In B Flat Minor
Prelude & Fugue XXIII BWV 892 In B Major
Prelude & Fugue XXIV BWV 893 In B Minor

Customer Reviews:

The very best performance of WTC.......2007-03-16

Having listening to more than a dozen recordings of WTC played with piano,
I have to say Richter's rendition is one of the few I love best. Technical virtuosity, melodic fluency, contrapuntal precision, and musical depth are perfectly combined here. Even the tempos could not be better handled. The only thing I find not so good about this rendition is that Richter seems to have used too much petal, making the sound blurring at times. Even so, I stronly recommend this recording on grounds of its artistic value and relevation.

Sound Quality Problems.......2007-01-31

1-I can barely hear the left hand, which is supposed to be central to counterpoint, fugues...etc

2-I can barely hear the preludes as they sound distant and the piano sound is very thin, and suddenly you hear the fugues very powerfull [...].

3- at times, I could hear a sound coming from the piano that is similar to that sound you get when you hit a piece of glass with a metal spoon!

[...]
Thank you.

A little more about the sound.......2006-11-24

Not being an "audiophilic" sophisticate I can hardly delve into details of this recording's sound reproduction, but it is not nearly as bad as to make this great performance un-listenable. Quite the opposite, the peculiarities of the sound have deeper reasons behind them. Bach wrote WTK for the keyboard, but in his mind he must have heard them played on a particular instrument. If Gould (whose WTK, IMHO, is his weakest Bach recording) plays it like a harpsichord, or Schiff (another dud) - like fortepiano, every note of Richter's performance echoes with the sound of an organ. I am certain it was deliberate on Richter's part, and the fact that the selected venue of the recording was a church, only confirms that notion. Of course, the church's acoustics did affect the sound, but in a way that was consistent with the artist's conception.
As far as the playing itself, there is not much I can add to what has been written by the previous reviewers. Book II, which is somewhat more "abstract" portion of the WTK-48, receives great treatment here, but it is Richter's performance of Book I that stands like a solitary granite peak, high above the clouds, projecting mysterious and purifying force.

Richter gives great WTC but not on this recording.......2006-10-26

Sviatoslav Richter brings his superb technique and penetrating musical intelligence to bear on the WTC and the result may not please scholars but it is deeply enjoyable (which is probably what Bach had in mind). Unfortunately the sound on these recordings is abominable. After listening for more than a couple of minutes I give up. I think it is the fault of the original recording in an over reverberant acoustic but there is a constant "aura" which really gets in the way. There is a far better and consistently more exciting version recorded in Innsbruck in the early 70s but it is only available in a CD version on "Polo" which is published in China. Presumably RCA Victor has problems with the dissemination of this version in the West! It's not a perfect recording by any means but it is far more listenable.

It's Bach and Richter, but the recording quality...........2006-09-30

I love this music and Sviatoslav Richter is one of my favorite classical artists, but the quality of this recording is horrible and is so bad that the quality of both the performance (excellent!) or of the works themselves (wonderful!) can not be overcome by the quality of the sound.

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