At the same time as I got the Haskil CDs, I came across several "Richter in Prague" CDs (on Praga) in a used CD store.
I looked online just now, and I couldn't find them anywhere (well, I didn't check e-bay). In fact, I saw about 5
of the series in the Beethoven section alone, for less than 8 Euros each! Probably there were some doubles
though, not sure. I hope to get there again in two days and hope they haven't gone!
My question (Richter fans!): which ones do you consider to be "essential"? Some review
I found online especially recommended volumes 3 (Beethoven sonatas 27-29), 7 (Chopin, and
Scriabin sonatas 2 & 5), and 9 (Liszt études d'exécution..., Ravel valses nobles, miroirs). I'm
sure many of you out there have some of the 15 volumes.
Incidentally, I found the famous Richter Melodiya recording with Beethoven sonatas 8 and 23, live
in Moscow 1959/60, (plus 8 Bagatelles, Choral Fantasy) new in a store here! I was blown away and
now understand why many people consider this the best Appassionata sonata on record! I'll wait
a little before giving it a second spin...
Florian
Richter in Prague
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Chalkperson
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Re: Richter in Prague
Well I guess the easiest answer is ALL of them...it seems that I have 84 Richter cd's, I kind of stopped a couple of years ago when there was so much coming out that at some point I had to yell HALT...either way, when I recently digitalized all of them I felt that a 'culling' might be in order but the total 'cull' rendered only nine cd's to the dumper...that said, I think that of all the Richter cd's there are three major suppliers of great, no, really great piano playing...The series on Praga, The Olympia Discs and the Sviatoslav Richter in the 50's series from DoReMi...plus of course some essential single disc issues, the Orfeo recital, The Out Of Later Years discs, including In Memory Of Marlene Deitrich, The Leipzig Recital 63 and the Helsinki from 76 and the Haydn and Schumann recitals on Decca, plus the M+A discs of Richter at Adelburgh with Benjamin Britten...The Praga set offers 15 cd's encompassing most of Richters Oevre, Chopin, Prokofiev, Beethoven (4 discs) and others Including Schubert, Scriabin, Rachmaninov and Weber, if you have the Sofia Recital then you do not need the Mussorgsky disc, and I am personally not a great fan of Brahms, cue Hate Mail from a certain Gentleman...I think if you buy any of these discs you will immediately latch on to Richter's Genius, you have never heard this music played quite like this before, and once you have heard and absorbed this playing it is difficult to imagine it played any other way, granted the Schubert Sonata in B Flat is r e a l l y , r e a l l y , r e a l l y , s l o w, and the Mozart sucks, well not totally, but like Glenn Gould's Mozart it does not bear repeated listenings...at the price you mentioned I say go back and buy them, and then ENJOY them...as I have mentioned in other posts I am not really able to tell you in coherent words why I like them, I can just tell you that I do like them, really, really, like them...there are many people on this board who can review music much better that I but with a screen name of Bosendorfer I suspect that you, unlike me, do not play 'Air Piano'...ok Lance, over to you...Bösendorfer wrote:My question (Richter fans!): which ones do you consider to be "essential"?
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Lance
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Well, thank you, Chalkie ... you did a pretty darn good job explaining youself! Sviatoslav Richter is a difficult pianist to discuss when it comes recordings simply because he recorded so much, and there are many duplications in the repertoire and every performance offers something different and not always for everyone. But what a giant of a pianist! Everybody will have their personal favorites.
On compact disc, I have over 400 CDs with Richter and hundreds of LPs, most of which have been commmitted to compact disc by the original publishers. As for the "Sviatoslav Richter in Prague" collection of 15 individual discs published by Harmonia Mundi [354001.15], simply stated in 15 words, one word for each disc: I would not want to be without this document—in its entirety—of Richter's pianism. I cherish the entire set. Yes, there will be other performance he recorded of the same repertoire you may prefer more, but that goes without saying, probably for any artist. We have a chance to hear Richter in well recorded live performances when, truly, anything can happen. Mostly it's always outstanding because of the great man's pianistic gifts and interpretive skills. If I had to select just one recording from the box, it would be Volume 13, which couples von Weber's Piano Sonata #3 in d, Op. 49 with Schubert's Piano Sonata in D, Op. 53 (D850), recordings made in Prague in May 1954 and June 1956 respectively. [Just my odd choice because of the unusual repertoire.]
It's been my experience that piano aficionados are 50/50 on his Schubert interpretations, but sometimes they can be absolutely stunning and deeply emotional listening experiences. The von Weber Sonata #3 has always been a specialty of Richter, and the many performances he recorded are very individual and not generally comparable; each, nonetheless, is gem. (Richter's compatriot, Emil Gilels, always performed the von Weber Sonata #2, and best to my knowledge, they never played "each other's" Weber sonata.)
But one cannot stop with just one disc out of 15! I also very much appreciated the pianist's Haydn/Mozart discs, his Liszt, Schumann and Chopin, and much of the Beethoven within the set.
So my only advice is that if you have a chance to pickup the entire set or individual discs as you find them, you will treasure them for years. Many collectors would give their left ... foot, to have the entire box as originally published.
When you've acquired the 15-disc edition, you may want to seek out the RCA/Melodiya 10-CD boxed set [29460] to further expand your enjoyment of the world's "most recorded pianist." Then there is the fairly recently issued 1960s New York recitals (all live) that has been issued on the Doremi label, and then you'll want to add all of Richter's Deutsche Grammophon recordings to your collection, which are some of the best-recordings of the pianist at his peak. Remember, he was at his peak for a very long time. After the DGGs, you'll want all the Philips discs, and the Richter (authorized) "Edition," which looks like it's making a comeback to the catalogue in two-CD sets. Then, of course, there's countless independent and other labels of Richter's work. If one is JUST starting to collect Richter recordings, it would be a mind-boggling experience.
I guess I haven't given you much to go on as I reread what I've written, but if nothing else, you know that I am enormously enthusiastic with the Prague recordings. Go for it!
On compact disc, I have over 400 CDs with Richter and hundreds of LPs, most of which have been commmitted to compact disc by the original publishers. As for the "Sviatoslav Richter in Prague" collection of 15 individual discs published by Harmonia Mundi [354001.15], simply stated in 15 words, one word for each disc: I would not want to be without this document—in its entirety—of Richter's pianism. I cherish the entire set. Yes, there will be other performance he recorded of the same repertoire you may prefer more, but that goes without saying, probably for any artist. We have a chance to hear Richter in well recorded live performances when, truly, anything can happen. Mostly it's always outstanding because of the great man's pianistic gifts and interpretive skills. If I had to select just one recording from the box, it would be Volume 13, which couples von Weber's Piano Sonata #3 in d, Op. 49 with Schubert's Piano Sonata in D, Op. 53 (D850), recordings made in Prague in May 1954 and June 1956 respectively. [Just my odd choice because of the unusual repertoire.]
It's been my experience that piano aficionados are 50/50 on his Schubert interpretations, but sometimes they can be absolutely stunning and deeply emotional listening experiences. The von Weber Sonata #3 has always been a specialty of Richter, and the many performances he recorded are very individual and not generally comparable; each, nonetheless, is gem. (Richter's compatriot, Emil Gilels, always performed the von Weber Sonata #2, and best to my knowledge, they never played "each other's" Weber sonata.)
But one cannot stop with just one disc out of 15! I also very much appreciated the pianist's Haydn/Mozart discs, his Liszt, Schumann and Chopin, and much of the Beethoven within the set.
So my only advice is that if you have a chance to pickup the entire set or individual discs as you find them, you will treasure them for years. Many collectors would give their left ... foot, to have the entire box as originally published.
When you've acquired the 15-disc edition, you may want to seek out the RCA/Melodiya 10-CD boxed set [29460] to further expand your enjoyment of the world's "most recorded pianist." Then there is the fairly recently issued 1960s New York recitals (all live) that has been issued on the Doremi label, and then you'll want to add all of Richter's Deutsche Grammophon recordings to your collection, which are some of the best-recordings of the pianist at his peak. Remember, he was at his peak for a very long time. After the DGGs, you'll want all the Philips discs, and the Richter (authorized) "Edition," which looks like it's making a comeback to the catalogue in two-CD sets. Then, of course, there's countless independent and other labels of Richter's work. If one is JUST starting to collect Richter recordings, it would be a mind-boggling experience.
I guess I haven't given you much to go on as I reread what I've written, but if nothing else, you know that I am enormously enthusiastic with the Prague recordings. Go for it!
Lance G. Hill
Editor-in-Chief
______________________________________________________
When she started to play, Mr. Steinway came down and personally
rubbed his name off the piano. [Speaking about pianist &*$#@+#]
Editor-in-Chief
______________________________________________________
When she started to play, Mr. Steinway came down and personally
rubbed his name off the piano. [Speaking about pianist &*$#@+#]
I realize that this advice will be redundant. However, I too recommend the entire set of Richter in Prague.
Yes, Richter performs the Mussorgsky better elsewhwere...ditto the Beethoven Appassionata and assorted others. Sound varies, to put it gently. There are a fair number of finger slips that one could point out. However, for all that, the utter commitment of the playing, the risk-taking before live crowds, the excitement generated all argue for having these performances at hand to remind yourself of the magic that CAN manifest in concert, when the artist is as great as Richter.
At the risk of boring those who've already heard the story too many times, this was *the* set that singlehandedly convinced me to break my 17-year self-imposed ban against purchasing compact discs. I was--and to a large extent remain--an avid fan of (good) analog sonics and unrepentant critic of digital (though I concede tremendous strides made by the medium in the past 10 years). And until I heard these Richter performances, I felt I could live quite nicely, thanks, with whatever I had in vinyl form--and forget all recordings afflicted with digititis. However, once I heard these and realized that the likelihood of ever hearing them in analog sound was nil, I could not allow myself to forego the pleasures that they indubitably offer. In short, I caved in and purchased the set...and have never regretted the outlay. It continues to reward listening some eight years later. BTW, my second-ever CD purchase was the 10 CD BMG/Melodiya "Richter Edition" that Lance recommended...which does indeed offer treasures, albeit of different times and venues. But by all means, avail yourself of the Prague set. Frankly, if you're able to sample by listening to a friend's copy, I'll be quite surprised if you don't talk yourself into the purchase, with no urging by anyone else required.
But then, that's just my opinion.
Dirk
Yes, Richter performs the Mussorgsky better elsewhwere...ditto the Beethoven Appassionata and assorted others. Sound varies, to put it gently. There are a fair number of finger slips that one could point out. However, for all that, the utter commitment of the playing, the risk-taking before live crowds, the excitement generated all argue for having these performances at hand to remind yourself of the magic that CAN manifest in concert, when the artist is as great as Richter.
At the risk of boring those who've already heard the story too many times, this was *the* set that singlehandedly convinced me to break my 17-year self-imposed ban against purchasing compact discs. I was--and to a large extent remain--an avid fan of (good) analog sonics and unrepentant critic of digital (though I concede tremendous strides made by the medium in the past 10 years). And until I heard these Richter performances, I felt I could live quite nicely, thanks, with whatever I had in vinyl form--and forget all recordings afflicted with digititis. However, once I heard these and realized that the likelihood of ever hearing them in analog sound was nil, I could not allow myself to forego the pleasures that they indubitably offer. In short, I caved in and purchased the set...and have never regretted the outlay. It continues to reward listening some eight years later. BTW, my second-ever CD purchase was the 10 CD BMG/Melodiya "Richter Edition" that Lance recommended...which does indeed offer treasures, albeit of different times and venues. But by all means, avail yourself of the Prague set. Frankly, if you're able to sample by listening to a friend's copy, I'll be quite surprised if you don't talk yourself into the purchase, with no urging by anyone else required.
But then, that's just my opinion.
Dirk
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Chalkperson
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I should start with an apology, the 50's cd's I spoke about are on Parnassas not Doremi, but there is also a Book called Richter 'The Enigma', I believe it is available as a DVD in Europe if not it is certainly available on VHS in Europe both are incredible documents, the book is comprised of Richters Diaries which contain his thoughts, both good and often bad on a variety of subjects including reviews of concerts he attended, both the book and the film are made by Glenn Gould's old friend Bruno Monsaignon...both are riveting and essential viewing/reading...Lance mentioned most of the other Richter cd sets, there are also a few recordings on EMI including a Dvorak Piano Concerto with Carlos Kleiber, some highly enjoyable Handel Keyboard Sonatas and a Schubert Wanderer Sonata... on RCA Beethoven Concerto No.1 with Charles Munch, coupled with piano Sonata No.22, also Brahms Piano Concerto no 2 coupled with Brahms Sonata No.1...also on RCA The Well Tempered Clavier, amazon seems to have a box with both books...his Mozart Concerto and 4 hands discs with Benjamin Britten are worth hunting down as are most of the BBC cd releases...one final purchase is the DG compilation entitled 'In Memoriam', it's a beautifully selected pair of discs... but if you come across a DG double cd compilation that is great also...and the Olympia discs are being reissued by Regis, they sound better to my ears but I have only found two so far, of which one is the Rachmaninov disc, also highly desirable...ok that's it from me (I hope)...
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Bösendorfer
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Thank you all so much again for your extended comments!! I went back there today and still found all the discs
I had noticed then. It turned out they were the 4 Beethoven volumes (one twice). I searched through all the
other sections in the store but couldn't find any more volumes unfortunately - you made me curious! Well, it's even nicer
if I'll have something to look forward to...
I just started listening. In fact I still don't know so many Beethoven sonatas. In any case, the adagio of sonata #3
with those powerful chords in the first half grabbed me right away! (Chalkie: despite my user name, I wish I could
play the piano!)
It seems the number of Richter records I have just reached 10 today... (this includes the (in)famous triple concerto
though). The Schumann disc on Regis (Études Symphoniques, Bunte Blätter) that I found last week is a great one too!
And of course the Sofia recital which I've been cherishing for some time.
Incidentally, I also found & bought a disc with Rachmaninov playing Schumann, Mendelssohn and Schubert on Dante.
I hope it's one of the good ones - I read some really great comments on his Carnaval... Never had a disc by him so far
(but the clips on youtube are amazing).
Florian
I had noticed then. It turned out they were the 4 Beethoven volumes (one twice). I searched through all the
other sections in the store but couldn't find any more volumes unfortunately - you made me curious! Well, it's even nicer
if I'll have something to look forward to...
I just started listening. In fact I still don't know so many Beethoven sonatas. In any case, the adagio of sonata #3
with those powerful chords in the first half grabbed me right away! (Chalkie: despite my user name, I wish I could
play the piano!)
It seems the number of Richter records I have just reached 10 today... (this includes the (in)famous triple concerto
though). The Schumann disc on Regis (Études Symphoniques, Bunte Blätter) that I found last week is a great one too!
And of course the Sofia recital which I've been cherishing for some time.
Incidentally, I also found & bought a disc with Rachmaninov playing Schumann, Mendelssohn and Schubert on Dante.
I hope it's one of the good ones - I read some really great comments on his Carnaval... Never had a disc by him so far
(but the clips on youtube are amazing).
Florian
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Jack Kelso
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Yes, Richter was fabulous with almost any composer. His Schumann is outstanding---try to get him in "Sonata No. 2 g minor", op. 22 as well as the "Faschingsschwank aus Wien" and "Kreisleriana" (op. 16).
Schumann was, after all, Richter's favorite composer.
Tschüß!
Jack
Schumann was, after all, Richter's favorite composer.
Tschüß!
Jack
"Schumann's our music-maker now." ---Robert Browning
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Bösendorfer
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I'm aware he is especially known for his Schumann. In fact I now also have his Fantasie, Faschingsschwank,
and Papillons (together on a very cheap EMI Classics disc; recorded in the early 60's I think). Thanks for the
endorsement of Sonata #2; where/when did he record it?
I thought I heard that Richter unfortunately never recorded Kreisleriana. So if he did, where can you find it? I'm very
happy with Horowitz's 1969 recording of it - in fact I listened to a bunch in the CD store last summer but most of them
IMO just didn't do a good job at all! I think I also liked Grimaud's, and even though I don't like Brendel's, his first
movement I prefer even to Horowitz!
Florian
In fact I now also have his Fantasie, Faschingsschwank,and Papillons (together on a very cheap EMI Classics disc; recorded in the early 60's I think). Thanks for the
endorsement of Sonata #2; where/when did he record it?
I thought I heard that Richter unfortunately never recorded Kreisleriana. So if he did, where can you find it? I'm very
happy with Horowitz's 1969 recording of it - in fact I listened to a bunch in the CD store last summer but most of them
IMO just didn't do a good job at all! I think I also liked Grimaud's, and even though I don't like Brendel's, his first
movement I prefer even to Horowitz!
Florian
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Jack Kelso
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Oh-oh---now that you ask about "Kreisleriana" I'm not so sure it's Richter's recording that I meant. About the Sonata No. 2---it was included on an album with "Papillons" and "Faschingsschwank" under the title "Richter in Italy" with a pic of the pianist shielding his face from the bright sun.Bösendorfer wrote:I'm aware he is especially known for his Schumann.
and Papillons (together on a very cheap EMI Classics disc; recorded in the early 60's I think). Thanks for the
endorsement of Sonata #2; where/when did he record it?
I thought I heard that Richter unfortunately never recorded Kreisleriana. So if he did, where can you find it? I'm very
happy with Horowitz's 1969 recording of it - in fact I listened to a bunch in the CD store last summer but most of them
IMO just didn't do a good job at all! I think I also liked Grimaud's, and even though I don't like Brendel's, his first
movement I prefer even to Horowitz!
Florian
As for the "Fantasie in C" op. 17. So far I have to stand by the Geza Anda performance (DGG coupled with the "Symphonic Etudes"), although Horowitz gave a fine interpretation I taped from a live concert on radio over twenty years ago. The German announcer quoted Horowitz' comment on the Fantasie backstage: "What a work---so beautiful!" Other works were by Weber, Liszt, Bach/Busoni.
Tschüß!
Jack
"Schumann's our music-maker now." ---Robert Browning
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Bösendorfer
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