Sviatoslav Richter

[ammar]

In many ways, this explains the rumours surrounding Richter's sexuality - all the girls were frightened off when asked to go backstage and examine his 'pink plastic lobster'. I guess Nina Dorliak got to see it once, before a lieder recital, and was therefore more understanding of his request 

( I like British comedian Ross Noble's idea of engaging in activities which sound like euphemisms, but aren't : ' No, I genuinely was nudging the rhinoceros last night ' )

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The resemblance is even more uncanny when you find out that they're both carrying a pink plastic lobster out of shot 

(and no, that isn't a euphemism, before anyone asks -  http://ahmedfernando.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/richters-pink-plastic-lobster/ )

That writer has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. The TRUTH about Richter and the lobster isn't nearly as dramatic as he'd have it at all. The tale of "Richter And The Lobster" begins and ends with a phase Richter went through as he battled a serious bout of depression. All told it was something he simply had to DEAL with, not as something consciously concocted, as he rode out the depression. Why the lobster not even he knew. Only that it helped, somehow.

Eventually the phase ended and the lobster went away. It was but a single episode in his career that came and went and lasted in terms of mere months (no doubt tough months). IOW, a fluke. It had nothing at all to do with any supposed life-long, "pre-concert" ritual.

Sad that stuff like this gets spread around in the name of "entertainment"...

[ammar]

Firstly, a big mea culpa, all the moreso because I already knew that the lobster was linked with Richter's period of depression. Let that be a warning to anybody who hastily turns to google for evidence in a thread post 

But there is plenty of humour in the rest of Richter's behaviour - I challenge anyone to read the excerpts from his notebooks ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sviatoslav-Richter-Notebooks-Conversations-Monsaingeon/dp/0691095493/ ) and not laugh out loud at the absurdity of some of the entries.

What I also find amusing (and more importantly, brings us back on topic) is that this series of posts has outlasted the discount on the EMI set, which is now back on sale for £21.27.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

But there is plenty of humour in the rest of Richter's behaviour - I challenge anyone to read the excerpts from his notebooks ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sviatoslav-Richter-Notebooks-Conversations-Monsaingeon/dp/0691095493/ ) and not laugh out loud at the absurdity of some of the entries.

Yes, THAT is definitely true!

[Coopmv]

That writer has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. The TRUTH about Richter and the lobster isn't nearly as dramatic as he'd have it at all. The tale of "Richter And The Lobster" begins and ends with a phase Richter went through as he battled a serious bout of depression. All told it was something he simply had to DEAL with, not as something consciously concocted, as he rode out the depression. Why the lobster not even he knew. Only that it helped, somehow.

Eventually the phase ended and the lobster went away. It was but a single episode in his career that came and went and lasted in terms of mere months (no doubt tough months). IOW, a fluke. It had nothing at all to do with any supposed life-long, "pre-concert" ritual.

Sad that stuff like this gets spread around in the name of "entertainment"...

Not sure what to make of the claim by this author that the great violinist Henryk Szeryng took large quantities of cocaine before solo concerts to calm his nerve.  What kind of evidence did he have?

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Not sure what to make of the claim by this author that the great violinist Henryk Szeryng took large quantities of cocaine before solo concerts to calm his nerve.  What kind of evidence did he have?

Yeah, the lobster tale (...no pun ) sure got twisted all around so I can't help wondering about this one, too...

[Bogey]

 8)Two for $2 each:



1958

Along with an lp of Schumann Concerto Op 54 and Mozart Concerto 20 on a Vox album.

[George]

8)Two for $2 each:


1958

Along with an lp of Schumann Concerto Op 54 and Mozart Concerto 20 on a Vox album.

Very nice, Bill! 

[Brahmsian]

Just want to confirm that George has posted at least once on every page of the 'Richter' thread (36 pages and counting).  Which does not mean he is a necessarily a fan.

I had nothing better to do than verify this fact. 

[Bogey]

Just want to confirm that George has posted at least once on every page of the 'Richter' thread (36 pages and counting).  Which does not mean he is a necessarily a fan.

I had nothing better to do than verify this fact. 

Only once on some pages?!

[George]

Just want to confirm that George has posted at least once on every page of the 'Richter' thread (36 pages and counting).  Which does not mean he is a necessarily a fan.

I had nothing better to do than verify this fact. 

If Richter is forgotten, it won't be my fault.  0:)

[Bogey]

Thoughts?  This is a Denon release.  Here:

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Piano-Sonatas-Nos-19/dp/B001QWFUDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1284432284&sr=1-1

Sorry if I missed it earlier on this thread.

[George]

Thoughts?  This is a Denon release.  Here:
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Piano-Sonatas-Nos-19/dp/B001QWFUDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1284432284&sr=1-1
Sorry if I missed it earlier on this thread.

I have that one, Bill. I just popped the CD to refresh my memory. The piano sound is very dull. It has a processed (noise reduced) sound that I really don't like. However, the performances are very good, so at that marketplace price (under $4 new), I'd say grab it. 

The liner notes do not indicate when and where these performances came from, but I did some detective work and I am fairly certain that they are from Leningrad, 1960. This was a great time for Richter, IMO. His power and intensity at that time was stunning.



These three performances were previously released on Leningrad Masters LM 1323 (CD, pictured above.) Haven't heard (or seen) that CD to compare. I see a few copies on eBay. Here's a pretty cheap used one. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The piano sound is very dull. It has a processed (noise reduced) sound that I really don't like. However, the performances are very good, so at that marketplace price (under $4 new), I'd say grab it.

Yep. Sadly this disc is pretty crappy sonics-wise - but the performances are some of my favorite Richter Beethoven! He's definitely "on" here and clearly is relishing the moment.

I'm with George, Bill, grab it!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

While we're here, there's more great news for Richter fans: that 1967 Spoleto Festival recital is FINALLY making its way back into print - on CD!!

I only hope there isn't any downgrading of the sound on the new issue, though. The original Turnabout LPs had good, clean stereo sound, if ever so slightly recorded at a low level. But no major problem.

Contents are:

Debussy's book 2 preludes
Haydn's piano sonata no.37
Chopin's first Ballade
Schumann's Novelettes Op. 21, nos. 1&2

Amazon link is here.

[George]

Thanks for the news, Don! 

I have never heard this recital before. Is it one of the essential Richter performances?

[Coopmv]

I have that one, Bill. I just popped the CD to refresh my memory. The piano sound is very dull. It has a processed (noise reduced) sound that I really don't like. However, the performances are very good, so at that marketplace price (under $4 new), I'd say grab it. 

The liner notes do not indicate when and where these performances came from, but I did some detective work and I am fairly certain that they are from Leningrad, 1960. This was a great time for Richter, IMO. His power and intensity at that time was stunning.



These three performances were previously released on Leningrad Masters LM 1323 (CD, pictured above.) Haven't heard (or seen) that CD to compare. I see a few copies on eBay. Here's a pretty cheap used one.

I have a number of CD's by Helene Grimaud on Denon but they sound pretty good to me ...   

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I have a number of CD's by Helene Grimaud on Denon but they sound pretty good to me ...   

Yes, Denon typically does have high technical standards but in this instance the bad sound isn't their fault. They didn't record this recital - it's some ancient air-check or pirate job that was badly recorded in the first place. So when the source is bad already there's only so much an engineer can do, alas... (which I'm sure you know).

I actually heard that old Leningrad Masters CD years ago and it wasn't quality sonic goods then either. But Denon can be commended for bucking the "pristine sound" trend and reissuing a recording of high artistic merit, warts and all. Through the scratchy sound is artistic dynamite and fully justifies the reissue. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Thanks for the news, Don! 

I have never heard this recital before. Is it one of the essential Richter performances?

I find it to be pretty indispensable for two reasons: First, the Haydn is rare on disc, since 1967 was the only year he played this sonata (kind of like his Hammerklavier year - 1975). Another recording of this sonata actually IS available - on BBC Legends - but I haven't heard it (more about this below).

Second, the Debussy book 2 preludes are exquisite, rivaling his BBC Legends performance of the same year (1967).

But what nudges this Spoleto recital ahead of the BBC Legends Debussy disc (and probably the BBC Haydn disc) is the sound. Many of those BBC Legends discs are afflicted with somewhat diffuse sound (with notable exceptions) so the crisper, better focused, and all around "airier" sound in Spoleto gives me a better picture of what Richter's shooting for in the Debussy (even on LP). It simply gives the Debussy more sparkle. Which is important to me.

I've been waiting for this recital's resurrection on disc for ages principally for the Debussy. Now all I need is for the issuing label's engineers to get the sound right.

[dirkronk]

While we're here, there's more great news for Richter fans: that 1967 Spoleto Festival recital is FINALLY making its way back into print - on CD!!

I only hope there isn't any downgrading of the sound on the new issue, though. The original Turnabout LPs had good, clean stereo sound, if ever so slightly recorded at a low level. But no major problem.

Contents are:

Debussy's book 2 preludes
Haydn's piano sonata no.37
Chopin's first Ballade
Schumann's Novelettes Op. 21, nos. 1&2

Amazon link is here.

Don...I have two early Vox Turnabouts with Richter in concert (not counting the licensed concertos from Melodiya). Wasn't the Spoleto the recital with the crashing piano lid? The one that Richter essentially played right on through? If so, you're right. Very good live sound...lots of presence and dimension...assuming you have a decent vinyl pressing (not always a sure thing with Vox Turnabout of that era). And assuming you've cranked the volume a bit to maximize the aural illusion, the crashing lid thingie always brings uninitiated listeners to full alert.


Dirk