Sviatoslav Richter

[Mandryka]

I like Georges list.

I agree that he Olympia performance of D960 is good, and it has great sound -- but I prefer the live Alderburgh performance on Music and Arts.

I would add the Preiser recording of Chopin Preludes.

And there's an RCA disc of a live performance of Brahms Sonata 1. The sonata isn't that great, but Richter does a Liszt Transcendental Etude as an encore. I think that etude is the best example of Richter's art I know -- it's fantastic (less than ten minutes though)

George -- what is the sound quality like on the Sofia Recital Prokofiev?

[George]

I agree that he Olympia performance of D960 is good, and it has great sound -- but I prefer the live Alderburgh performance on Music and Arts.

I need to one day sit down and compare the 5 recordings I have of Richter's D 960. I recommended the Regis due to availability and price. I find his Schubert remarkably consistent and therefore find it less essential to worry about which performance to get. Besides, if someone doesn't like Richter's Schubert after buying the CD, they'll only be out $10 or so instead of potentially much more. The touted M&A disc you refer to is not worth seeking out IMO, so it won't make my list of favorites at any point. The sound is overfiltered, ruining the brightness of an already poorly recorded piano tone. This material - the D 960 and the manic D 958 - is heard to much better advantage on Living Stage 347.11.

I would add the Preiser recording of Chopin Preludes.

I don't see these listed over at Trovar. What are the dates/venue? I have the ones on Regis 1199.

George -- what is the sound quality like on the Sofia Recital Prokofiev?

You mean the GPOTC set? Absolutely fine. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The 958 from Budapest on M&A is the one to have

Yes the Budapest performance is great but the M&A issue is so far OOP no one will ever find it. Unless they get lucky. Of course the alternate issues of the Budapest are just as hard to find and probably in worse sound. So in the end, then, I guess we're on the same page!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I don't see these listed over at Trovar. What are the dates/venue? I have the ones on Regis 1199. 

George, the Preiser is the same as the Ankh. It's Moscow, June 19, 1950 (live). However, the preludes are incomplete. Only 12 were performed.

From all I've read (I haven't heard the Preiser) Ankh found a better source and is in clearer sound. Having the Ankh as I do I can attest to the decent sound, taking into account the setting of course (1950 Moscow, probably audience derived).

[George]

Of course the alternate issues of the Budapest are just as hard to find and probably in worse sound.

Actually, the Living Stage issue of that performance sounds much clearer in the upper frequencies, as less noise reduction was employed. But yes, it is not easy to find. 

[Drasko]

Live? Do you mean to say that this is a recording of the 48 in one sitting?

Don't know about Richter, but Samuil Feinberg reportedly played WTK in Russia in one sitting as early as 1914, so perhaps that's where Richter picked the lead from. I personally think WTK is far too long and straining (both for audience and performer) to play at one evening.

The touted M&A disc you refer to is not worth seeking out IMO, so it won't make my list of favorites at any point. The sound is overfiltered, ruining the brightness of an already poorly recorded piano tone. This material - the D 960 and the manic D 958 - is heard to much better advantage on Living Stage 347.11.

Isn't Richter's '64 Aldeburgh D960 available on BBC Legends?

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Actually, the Living Stage issue of that performance sounds much clearer in the upper frequencies, as less noise reduction was employed. But yes, it is not easy to find. 

Hmm...that's interesting, but I'm kinda doubtful. Do you have the original M&A issue or a burn?

[George]

Isn't Richter's '64 Aldeburgh D960 available on BBC Legends?

Trovar lists it that way, I haven't heard it myself.

I agree about the WTC in one night, BTW. I wouldn't want to sit through that show.

[George]

Hmm...that's interesting, but I'm kinda doubtful. Do you have the original M&A issue or a burn?

Original. This is not the first time that I haven't been impressed with their transfers. When I called the company to complain about the Serkin transfers of his mono Beethoven, the supervisor on the phone openly admitted that they did not do a good job on that one.   

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Original. This is not the first time that I haven't been impressed with their transfers. When I called the company to complain about the Serkin transfers of his mono Beethoven, the supervisor on the phone openly admitted that they did not do a good job on that one.   

Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's really hit or miss with all these "one-off" labels. Glad to learn of that Living Stage!   

For me I've had pretty good luck with M&A's Richter over the years, but, no, they're not infallible. However, back in the day they were practically the only game in town. It was either them or third-rate pirates if one wanted off-the-air or bootleg Richter. And none of the pirates had any blasted clue!

[George]

Yeah, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's really hit or miss with all these "one-off" labels. Glad to learn of that Living Stage!   

FWIW, I am not sure of legitimacy of the Living Stage company and it sounds like they may even source an LP for the transfer. However they did it, it came out better than the M&A.

[Bogey]

FWIW, I am not sure of legitimacy of the Living Stage company and it sounds like they may even source an LP for the transfer. However they did it, it came out better than the M&A.

But like we discussed buddy, if you want to be one of the foremost experts on Richter's recordings then you need them on the shelf for listening pleasure and at the very least, reference.  The nice thing about this is it takes all second guessing out of purchasing recordings or pressings you do not own.

[George]

But like we discussed buddy, if you want to be one of the foremost experts on Richter's recordings then you need them on the shelf for listening pleasure and at the very least, reference.  The nice thing about this is it takes all second guessing out of purchasing recordings or pressings you do not own.

Thanks Bill.

I am not comfortable with the idea of being an expert. I prefer to think of myself as one who appreciates the performances of Richter and therefore wants to hear whatever performances that I can get my hands on by the man.

I agree though, having discovered how much I enjoy this pianist's work, I do not need to debate when I see a CD of his. However, I do prefer to focus on the best transfers ahead of time if possible, as in the case of the above D 958, I would have saved the money for another performance of another work, rather than bought a redundant CD.   

[Bogey]

Thanks Bill.

I am not comfortable with the idea of being an expert. I prefer to think of myself as one who appreciates the performances of Richter and therefore wants to hear whatever performances that I can get my hands on by the man.

I agree though, having discovered how much I enjoy this pianist's work, I do not need to debate when I see a CD of his. However, I do prefer to focus on the best transfers ahead of time if possible, as in the case of the above D 958, I would have saved the money for another performance of another work, rather than bought a redundant CD.   

See.  That's just it.  You are no longer a collector to us (at the very least, me) and have been elevated to a person of reference like a VERY FEW others that grace these boards.  Plenty of collectors like myself here my friend.  Like it or not, your solo piano listening and expertise on recordings has just taken on a more vital purpose for those of us searching the recordings.  Your above knowledge of a redundant recording is a case in point. 

[George]

See.  That's just it.  You are no longer a collector to us (at the very least, me) and have been elevated to a person of reference like a VERY FEW others that grace these boards.  Plenty of collectors like myself here my friend.  Like it or not, your solo piano listening and expertise on recordings has just taken on a more vital purpose for those of us searching the recordings.  Your above knowledge of a redundant recording is a case in point. 

OK, I see what you mean. 

[George]

I need to one day sit down and compare the 5 recordings I have of Richter's D 960.

I think I just might do this tomorrow and I'd like to eventually do the same for all the Schubert sonatas he recorded. I'll post my results here.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

FWIW, I am not sure of legitimacy of the Living Stage company and it sounds like they may even source an LP for the transfer. However they did it, it came out better than the M&A.

Yeah, M&A also lagged behind Arkadia when it came to that 1972 Warsaw Scriabin recital. Arkadia's is the more successful transfer. Noticeably so.

So sometimes it's impossible to know what to expect from M&A unless we get a chance for direct comparisons.

One instance where I was pleasantly surprised by M&A came from directly comparing their 1966 Aldeburgh recital disc (Scriabin 9th, Prokofiev 4th, etc.) with the BBC Legends release of the same recital. I fully anticipated the BBC - with direct sources - to lay waste to M&A, but to my astonishment the upgrade in the BBC was hardly noticeable at all. Yes it's there but only by the tiniest of margins. So tiny I ultimately kicked myself for buying the BBC Legends disc. Money down the drain.

And of course we all know how much better Parnassus's "Leipzig" recital sounds over M&A.

But I feel I need to defend M&A just a little. Back in the day (early/mid 90s), amidst the swarm of pirate labels jockeying for position in the great Richter bootleg race, M&A was the one company that consistently distinguished itself (for the most part) for maintaining a certain standard of quality. Accuracy of pitch, better than average (back then) transfers, entertaining liner notes, good documentation (dates, locations), and novelty of repertoire. IOW, first-class in an ocean of mediocrity.

Yes they've been superseded in recent years - not least because they've given up on the Richter race (or forced out, more accurately) - but they once held a valuable position amid all the chaos. But even to this day they are a valuable resource for the extremely hard-to-find Richter on disc. That 1958 Budapest Pictures can't be found anywhere else (just try ) and is at least the equal of Sofia in terms of performance quality - with the added benefit of strikingly good sound!

Anyway, just an aside...

[Bogey]

Oh, and Don, you are one of the very few as well.  Have been for some time now.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Oh, and Don, you are one of the very few as well.  Have been for some time now.

You are very kind, Bill!

May I also give kudos to dirk and Holden for their always illuminating Richter banter (and Tony too if he'd quit being so snarky ).

[ezodisy]

no surprise my post was deleted, and Renfield's too. The person who complained probably couldn't handle the truth, so I'm going to repeat it. And please have the decency not to delete it again.

Sorry but this is completely ridiculous. There are no experts or anything of the sort here, only people who collect little round discs and listen to them. That is all. Some of the egos who think of themselves otherwise are really beyond belief.

and the bit about the bad English remains, as only foreigners and some yanks say "most favourite"