Edvard Grieg: Lyric Pieces Op43; Lyric Pieces Op54

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sviatoslav Richter treats each of these touching character pieces as a poem or short story, spinning them out with patient detail and gentle architecture. Although the pianist presents his selection in opus number order, there's remarkable contrast in mood, tempo, and texture between each selection to sustain an entire program. These live 1983 tapings capture both the presence and intimacy of Richter's full-bodied yet transparent sonority. A treasurable disc. --Jed Distler

Tracks:

Arietta Op.12 No.1
Walzer Op.12 No.2
Wachterlied Op.12 No.3
Elfentanz Op.12 No.4
Halling Op.38 No.12
Kanon Op.38 No.16
Papillon Op.43 No.17
An Den Fruhling Op.43 No.22
Valse-Impromptu Op.47 No.23
Gangar (Norw. Bauernmarsch) Op.54 No.31
Scherzo Op.54 No.34
Glockengelaute Op.54 No.35
Geheimnis Op.57 No.39
Sie Tanzt Op.57 No.40
Heimweh Op.57 No.41
Traumgesicht Op.62 No.46
Hochzeit Auf Troldhaugen Op.65 No.53
Abend Im Hochgebirge Op.68 No.57
Kobold Op.71 No.62
Waldesstille Op.71 No.63
Voruber Op.71 No.65
Nachklange Op.71 No.66

Amazon.com

Sviatoslav Richter treats each of these touching character pieces as a poem or short story, spinning them out with patient detail and gentle architecture. Although the pianist presents his selection in opus number order, there's remarkable contrast in mood, tempo, and texture between each selection to sustain an entire program. These live 1983 tapings capture both the presence and intimacy of Richter's full-bodied yet transparent sonority. A treasurable disc. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Richter playing a solid 5, but a 3 for less than perfect recording.......2007-03-02

This CD offers by far the best rendition of Grieg's beautiful little gems in a live recital setting. Richter shows why he is one of the best, if not the best, pianist of the last century. His playing of the lyric pieces chosen for this 1983 performance, leaves one in awe in terms of artistic depth and splendor - simply breathtaking. He seems to reproduce the very essence and mood of each piece in a way and with a touch that eludes most artists. But that is Richter! Particularly in "Traumgesicht" und "Waldesstille" he shows why he is the best. I have heard Grieg's Lyric Pieces by Oppitz and Austbo (devoid of soul, canned and rushed), Gavrilov and Gilels (very good), Andsnes (good but not outstanding). Here, Richter is the proverbial gold standard again.
Unfortunately the recording and engineering is rather poor. There is much amplified ambient noise beyond the usual live recital atmosphere and often an obnoxious squaking noise from what must be the piano stool is heard off and on. However, this shortcoming nothwithstanding, it is one rare gem of a CD and highly recommended. For someone who wishes to explore and experience Grieg's wonderful lyric pieces, look no further and start with this CD!

Lovely playing.......2002-12-06

The obvious comparison here is with the famous Gilels DG disc from the 70's. Richter's way with these delicious pieces is a shade more literal than Gilels, whose classic readings are so personal and perfect as to be almost religious. Richter is perhaps more straight in his approach. These are however magnificent performances by any measure and beautifully recorded.

There have been some fine recordings recently by Pletnev and Asdnes among others, but I think this disc is better than any of the more recent offerings.

The pieces themselves cover a substantial period of Grieg's recording career. They are beautifully crafted miniatures. The term miniatures should not fool anyone into thinking trivial.. these are anything other than trivial, they are actually wonderfully concentrated and finished works who have a lot to say but in a relatively short time. Nothing outstays its welcome.

Tracks:

Applause
Lyric Pieces, Op.12 No.1: Arietta
Lyric Pieces, Op.12 No.2: Waltz
Lyric Pieces, Op.12 No.3: Watchman's Song
Lyric Pieces, Op.12 No.4: Fairy Dacne
Lyric Pieces, Op.38 No.4: Halling-Norwegian Dance
Lyric Pieces, Op.38 No.8: Kanon
Lyric Pieces, Op.43 No.1: Butterfly
Lyric Pieces, Op.43 No.6: To The Spring
Lyric Pieces, Op.47 No.1: Valse-Impromptu
Lyric Pieces, Op.54 No.2: Gangar-Norwegian Dance
Lyric Pieces, Op.54 Np.5: Scherzo
Lyric Pieces, Op.54 No.6: Bell Ringing
Applause
Lyric Pieces, Op.57 No.4: Secret
Lyric Pieces, Op.57 No.5: She Dances
Lyric Pieces, Op.57 No.6: Home-Sickness
Lyric Pieces, Op.62 No.5: Phantom

Tracks:

Lyric Pieces, Op.65 No.6: Wedding-Day In Troldhaugen
Lyric Pieces, Op.68 No.4: Evening In The Mountains
Lyric Pieces, Op.71 No.3: Puck
Lyric Pieces, Op.71 No.4: Peace Of The Woods
Lyric Pieces, Op.71 No.6: Gone
Lyric Pieces, Op.71 No.7: Rememberances
Applause
Lyric Pieces, Op.71 No.2: Summer Evening
Applause
Lyric Pieces, Op.54 No.4: Notturno
Six Prlds Du Second Livre: No.1 Brouillards
Six Prlds Du Second Livre: No.2 Feuilles Mortes
Six Prlds Du Second Livre: No.3 La Puerta Del Vino
Six Prlds Du Second Livre: No.4 Les Fees Sont D'Exquises Danseuses
Six Prlds Du Second Livre: No.5 Bruyeres
Applause
Six Prlds Du Second Livre: No.10 Canope

Customer Reviews:

Totally refined, amazing mental level.......1999-04-13

It is really amazing to hear such an refined Debussy. With these pieces still sparkling, they never become too bright as they do in Zimerman's performance. Each note from the performance is a story telling, from a complete person with totally refined soul.