Sviatoslav Richter

[Brian]

Thank you very much, George! The Bach didn't interest me - I'm actually looking at it for the Prokofiev. Of course if there's a clearly superior Richter Prok 1 you can point me in its direction.

[George]

Are my eyes deceiving me or does that cover actually say "Digital Recording"? LOL...

On the back, it says AAD, which is probably correct.

[George]

Thank you very much, George! The Bach didn't interest me - I'm actually looking at it for the Prokofiev. Of course if there's a clearly superior Richter Prok 1 you can point me in its direction.

As far as I know, that Ancerl one is "the" one to get. I recall asking about this somewhere and I was led to the Ancerl. There is one other one, with Kondrashin on Melodiya. An Amazon review reports that the Ancerl "has better sound and a superior orchestra." If there's any truth to that, the Kondashin must sound pretty poor indeed.

And wew copies of the Kondrashin are only $115 - http://www.amazon.com/Richter-Edition-Vol-Prokofiev-Rimsky-Korsakov/dp/B000001HCW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top 

I'd say go with the Ancerl. Original mastering.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

On the back, it says AAD, which is probably correct.

Ahh...

[KeithW]

Acclamatory review of an ICA release of a BBC recording of a 1975 Richter Beethoven recital in this week's Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/nov/07/sviatoslav-richter-beethoven-piano-review1

[George]

They have finally released the incredible documentary "Enigma" about Richter in region 0 format (plays everywhere.) The only issue of this material I could find years ago was a DVD that wasn't right for my region. Better still, the price is dirt cheap and the transfer is better than the previous DVD, which had always seems washed out and dingy to me. Grab this one while you can! Amazon has it for under $20!

[ccar]

As far as I know, that Ancerl one is "the" one to get. I recall asking about this somewhere and I was led to the Ancerl. There is one other one, with Kondrashin on Melodiya. An Amazon review reports that the Ancerl "has better sound and a superior orchestra." If there's any truth to that, the Kondashin must sound pretty poor indeed.

The sound quality of the Richter-Kondrashin (Melodyia/BMG) is not that bad for a 1952 recording. And personally I love the performance - both the piano and the orchestra. It is true that Ancerl and the Czechs have a fuller orchestral sound. But I really don't know if this concerto asks for it.  For me, the magic of the score, particularly in the slow "movement", is more transparent and characterful with Kondrashin.

         
                         
                                          http://www.youtube.com/v/Ljc7qvqeO1g



 

[Holden]

Acclamatory review of an ICA release of a BBC recording of a 1975 Richter Beethoven recital in this week's Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/nov/07/sviatoslav-richter-beethoven-piano-review1

Hasn't this already been released as....



I agree that the recording of the Hammerklavier is Richter's finest!

[ccar]

Hasn't this already been released as....

The BBC Legends comes from the 11th June 1975 Aldenburgh recital.

The ICA Classics is the 18th June 1975 Royal Festival Hall recital.

[KeithW]

The BBC Legends comes from the 11th June 1975 Aldenburgh recital.

The ICA Classics is the 18th June 1975 Royal Festival Hall recital.

I have the BBC Legends disc already, and the ICA is on order - due to arrive this week.  I'll post timings and impressions soon.  But as noted by ccar, they are different performances.

[Holden]

Thanks for clarifying that. I really like the BBC Legends recording and maybe this is even better. If so it's a must have.

[George]

The BBC Legends comes from the 11th June 1975 Aldenburgh recital.

The ICA Classics is the 18th June 1975 Royal Festival Hall recital.

The Praga one is from June 2, 1975. Are these three really all that different?

[Holden]

I remember preferring the BBC Legends Hammerklavier over the Prague recording.

[Kontrapunctus]

I just ordered this remastered SACD set:

[Holden]

I have the BBC Legends disc already, and the ICA is on order - due to arrive this week.  I'll post timings and impressions soon.  But as noted by ccar, they are different performances.

This is on Spotify - listening to it now.

[admiralackbar]

Ok, so I have to ask. Does #1 have the same Appassionata recording as #2?

#1


#2

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Ok, so I have to ask. Does #1 have the same Appassionata recording as #2?

Yes. #2 is the initial CD release. #1 is a later two-fer repackaging.

[Kontrapunctus]

I just ordered this remastered SACD set:

It arrived yesterday--wow! It's hard to believe that the recording is so old. It sounds much warmer than the old RCA versions and is virtually hiss-free. Richter's playing is, of course, sublime.

EDIT: It's not sublime enough and I'm not enough of a hardcore Richter fan to keep it. If anyone is interested in it, then please PM me.

[admiralackbar]

Yes. #2 is the initial CD release. #1 is a later two-fer repackaging.

Thanks!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

New release containing the Schumann PC live from 1972. Lineup looks pretty good.



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