Sviatoslav Richter

[dirkronk]

This book comes out mid-April. 

Amazon Link

Wow. Are we to infer from the cover photo that at one time Richter actually had REAL HAIR vs. just wisps...and that he wore it in a near-pompadour style (or whatever would be the proper reference for the tall topknot projecting out in front of his forehead)? The mind reels...


Dirk,
who still remembers the sight of Richter in that crazy longhaired red wig from the Russian movie about Liszt.

[George]

Wow. Are we to infer from the cover photo that at one time Richter actually had REAL HAIR vs. just wisps...and that he wore it in a near-pompadour style (or whatever would be the proper reference for the tall topknot projecting out in front of his forehead)? The mind reels...

He aint nuttin but a hound dog...

[George]

New release:



Sviatoslav Richter plays Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev & Bach

Bach, J S:
Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV1052
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Václav Talich

Prokofiev:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10
Prague Symphony Orchestra, Karel Ancerl

Tchaikovsky:
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Ancerl

Sviatoslav Richter (piano)

In 1950 Prague was the destination of the first-ever foreign trip of the then 35-year-old Russian genius pianist Sviatoslav Richter. He would subsequently visit the city on several more occasions. The recordings on this CD were made at the Rudolfinum within two weeks at the end of May and the beginning of June 1954. Richter is accompanied by the two finest Czech orchestras, conducted by two true legends – Václav Talich (nearing the end of his career) and Karel Ancerl (at the beginning of his tenure in the post of principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra).

Within such a short time, Richter had mastered Tchaikovsky's impassioned concerto in B minor, Prokofiev's purely Neoclassical concerto in D flat major, as well as Bach's paramount Baroque and timeless first piano concerto. The fact that the Russian composers Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev found an ideal interpreter in perhaps the greatest legend among 20th-century pianists appears entirely logical. Yet the superb and sensitive performance of Bach's piano (originally harpsichord) concerto serves to complete the picture of Richter's genius and versatility. These qualities are showcased in our new, sensitively re-mastered version of the legendary recordings.

Supraphon - SU40142

Sound Samples
   

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Sviatoslav Richter plays Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev & Bach

Thanks, George.

In case anyone is interested, I have this Tchaikovsky concerto in a previous Supraphon edition (remastered Ancerl Gold Edition) and while an excellent performance (and let me emphasize that) the sound is a bit problematic for me: the piano tends to get drowned out at times by the orchestra and I find myself straining to hear what the piano is doing. Kind of a detriment when it comes to this pianist, not to mention this concerto.

I have no idea if this "sensitive remastering" improves anything but the samples don't seem to indicate much change. Though that's not much to go on...

Overall though this is a mighty good performance even if I might still prefer Argerich/Kondrashin (on Philips) in this concerto. 

[George]

Thanks, George.

In case anyone is interested, I have this Tchaikovsky concerto in a previous Supraphon edition (remastered Ancerl Gold Edition) and while an excellent performance (and let me emphasize that) the sound is a bit problematic for me: the piano tends to get drowned out at times by the orchestra and I find myself straining to hear what the piano is doing. Kind of a detriment when it comes to this pianist, not to mention this concerto.

I have no idea if this "sensitive remastering" improves anything but the samples don't seem to indicate much change. Though that's not much to go on...

Nothing sensitive about it. Like the Schumann CD from last year, they No-noised it, sucking the life out of it. 

Overall though this is a mighty good performance even if I might still prefer Argerich/Kondrashin (on Philips) in this concerto.

Have you heard Richter/Mravinsky?   

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Nothing sensitive about it. Like the Schumann CD from last year, they No-noised it, sucking the life out of it. 

Hmm...I admit having the same basic impression of the Ancerl Gold remaster but not having heard any other edition I can't really judge the transfer. Being Supraphon I'd expect high quality technical work but perhaps the master tapes aren't in good shape anymore. Or maybe there's some other variable involved (don't want to think negatively, though... ).

Have you heard Richter/Mravinsky?   

I have and I used to have it on Music & Arts but I can't remember its attributes. I guess you're saying it's a beaut (and I should reacquire it posthaste?)?

What's the best transfer?

[George]

Hmm...I admit having the same basic impression of the Ancerl Gold remaster but not having heard any other edition I can't really judge the transfer. Being Supraphon I'd expect high quality technical work but perhaps the master tapes aren't in good shape anymore. Or maybe there's some other variable involved (don't want to think negatively, though... ).

I just think the latest fashion is to get as "clean" a transfer as possible, which means reducing the noise to zero. Every time I put on a CD made from an older recording (like from the 50s or 60s) and hear no noise at all I get upset. Worse still is the fact that many reviewers usually rave about how the latest transfer is better, cleaner. 

You might recall the beef I had with Leslie Gerber last year about his Richter in the 50s CDs. Those things were specia recordings that had never been released before.  yet they were cleaned up too. 

I have and I used to have it on Music & Arts but I can't remember its attributes. I guess you're saying it's a beaut (and I should reacquire it posthaste?)?

What's the best transfer?

I've only heard the Meoldiya (agian, No-noised.)  I just recall many people saying it was Richter's best recording of that work.

[Mandryka]

This is a great recording – maybe my favourite Chopon Etudes CD at the moment – after Cortot's of course.

It contains the Op 10 Etudes from 1960 which you may know from Praga.  But it also has some Op 25s which as far as I know  had previously been unreleased, also from Prague in 1960.

The whole thing is bloody marvellous. I have never heard such risk taking pay off. Every time I listen I am on the edge of my seat.  And somehow, miraculously, it's not just virtuosity and bravura. There's colour, beautiful phrasing. These Etudes certainly  do not sound like studies.

I am much more enthusiastic about this performance than the Etudes on BBC Legends from London in 1963. It's not just that the sound is better on Supraphon. It is also that the playing is better I think. More colourful; more sensitive.

The CD has some nice Schostakovich too.

[George]

This is a great recording – maybe my favourite Chopon Etudes CD at the moment – after Cortot's of course.

It contains the Op 10 Etudes from 1960 which you may know from Praga.  But it also has some Op 25s which as far as I know  had previously been unreleased, also from Prague in 1960.

Which ones? The Praga set contains Op. 25 Nos. 6-7 from 1960.

Funny, I was just telling Divertimentian the other day how much I love Richter's Praga etudes, though the ones I recall being great were the 1988 ones (Op. 10, Nos. 4, 10 and 11 plus Op. 25, Nos. 5, 8, 11, 12). I should revisit the 1960 ones.

[Mandryka]

Which ones? The Praga set contains Op. 25 Nos. 6-7 from 1960.

Funny, I was just telling Divertimentian the other day how much I love Richter's Praga etudes, though the ones I recall being great were the 1988 ones (Op. 10, Nos. 4, 10 and 11 plus Op. 25, Nos. 5, 8, 11, 12). I should revisit the 1960 ones.

Ah yes – I confused Op 25 with Op 10.

Quel bordel!

I'll try and listen to the 80s ones too this weekend and post my reaction – I am really very curious to understand better how (if at all)  Richter changed.

[George]

Ah yes – I confused Op 25 with Op 10.

Quel bordel!

I'll try and listen to the 80s ones too this weekend and post my reaction – I am really very curious to understand better how (if at all)  Richter changed.

I just listened to the 1960s ones and though I enjoyed it, I don't think his etudes are the best that I have heard. The poor sound doesn't help much. 

By the way, your Supraphon release does seem to have some unique 1960 Chopin Etude performances, according to this review.

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
Etudes Op. 10 Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, & 12; Etudes Op. 25 Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, & 12
Polonaise-Fantasie in A-flat Op. 61

The Chopin Etudes and Polonaise-Fantasie stem from Sviatoslav Richter's February 21, 1960 Prague recital. I believe all of these are new to CD, excepting Op. 10 Nos. 1, 2, 3, & 12 and Op. 25 Nos. 6 & 7, which previously appeared on the Praga label along with Chopin's Four Ballades from the same concert.

My question is why on earth would Praga not include those other etudes in their box? Perhaps because they appear in that later 1988 recital?

[Mandryka]

I just listened to the 1960s ones and though I enjoyed it, I don't think his etudes are the best that I have heard. The poor sound doesn't help much. 

By the way, your Supraphon release does seem to have some unique 1960 Chopin Etude performances, according to this review.

My question is why on earth would Praga not include those other etudes in their box? Perhaps because they appear in that later 1988 recital?

EITHER you are a princess as far as sound is concerned OR we're not talking about the same recording OR I need a new pair of ears BECAUSE the sound of those 60s Etudes on Supraphon -- Op 25 and Op 10  seems just fine to me.

[George]

EITHER you are a princess as far as sound is concerned OR we're not talking about the same recording OR I need a new pair of ears BECAUSE the sound of those 60s Etudes on Supraphon -- Op 25 and Op 10  seems just fine to me.

Well, the reviewer claims that the sound is improved on the Supraphon, but the two prior Richter Supraphons that I bought did not improve on the sound, so I didn't bother with this one. Now that I know it has some unique performances, I have added it to my wish list.

On the other hand, I have never been bowled over by much of Richter's Chopin. I much prefer his Schubert, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Bach, Debussy, Prokofiev or Schumann.

As for the sound, on the Praga CD I have, I can certainly hear everything, but it sounds like 1950 rather than 1960. Plus some obvious noise reduction is being used. If the performances were superb, none of that would matter, but as it stands it detracts from an already less than impressive performance.

[Mandryka]

Well, the reviewer claims that the sound is improved on the Supraphon, but the two prior Richter Supraphons that I bought did not improve on the sound, so I didn't bother with this one. Now that I know it has some unique performances, I have added it to my wish list.

On the other hand, I have never been bowled over by much of Richter's Chopin. I much prefer his Schubert, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Debussy, Prokofiev or Schumann.

As for the sound, on the Prague CD I have, I can certainly hear everything, but it sounds like 1950 rather than 1960. Plus some obvious noise reduction is being used. If the performances were superb, none of that would matter, but as it stands it detracts from an already less than impressive performance.

What's wrong with the performance?

Truth is, I thought they were marvelous because they combined a sort of fast virtuoso quality with feeling and colour. And despite the bravura feel to his interpretation, it doesn't sound like he's got a hyperactivity or anger management problem. To me, he makes it sound like Chopin was a pioneer of the piano, taking risks and making experiments. Nevertheless it still sound like Chopin -- it has the right "inflection". It doesn't sound like Liszt or Rachmaninoff (That last bit may not make sense -- but I know what I mean.)

For example -- Op 10/11 -- arpeggios.  I can't think of an obviously better performance. So many pianists take this too slowly. In Richter's hands it is both exciting and beautiful.

Not psychedelic like Cortot maybe, and not witty and fun like Horowitz at his best  -- but still, his style seems to me just as valid.

If you like, choose an etude which you don't think works and I'll listen closely to it with your criticism in mind.

[George]

What's wrong with the performance?

It just didn't bowl me over like his Op. 25 No. 11 from 1988. That one made me sit up and take notice. I can't say exactly why though. With Chopin I just connect or I don't. I can't always explain it. Lately I have been striking out (Argerich and Freire's new CDs) and wondering if I should just enjoy the Chopin that I have. I want to survey my Chopin recordings at one point, but I want to finish my Rach Concerto surveys first. 

[Mandryka]

It just didn't bowl me over like his Op. 25 No. 11 from 1988. That one made me sit up and take notice. I can't say exactly why though. With Chopin I just connect or I don't. I can't always explain it. Lately I have been striking out (Argerich and Freire's new CDs) and wondering if I should just enjoy the Chopin that I have. I want to survey my Chopin recordings at one point, but I want to finish my Rach Concerto surveys first.

I understand.

Do you know Cziffra's Etudes? And Virsaladze's?

Apart from Cortot, they're the two complete sets I like the most.

[George]

I understand.

Do you know Cziffra's Etudes? And Virsaladze's?

Apart from Cortot, they're the two complete sets I like the most.

I own and enjoy Cziffra's, yes. Haven't heard Virsaladze's. I like Pollini and Ashkenazy's (both) too.

Also, Rosenthal's Etude in G flat is incredible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s2q5E_Mfbc

[Mandryka]

I own and enjoy Cziffra's, yes. Haven't heard Virsaladze's. I like Pollini and Ashkenazy's (both) too.

Also, Rosenthal's Etude in G flat is incredible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s2q5E_Mfbc

Yes -- very good.

He had a great moustache. Wish I could grow one like that.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Funny, I was just telling Divertimentian the other day how much I love Richter's Praga etudes, though the ones I recall being great were the 1988 ones (Op. 10, Nos. 4, 10 and 11 plus Op. 25, Nos. 5, 8, 11, 12).

Yeah, I've been going over Richter's Op.25 Etudes myself lately (as you know). I haven't heard the Praga selections from 1960 but it's been fun comparing his 1988 Praga selections with his Philips/Decca counterparts from the same year.

Each set has its qualities but I think I prefer his Philips/Decca set for the better definition and greater poetry. Part of it might be the more realistically miked sound of Philips/Decca as opposed to the more aggressive, "in your face" sound of Praga - not that it's bad by any means.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

...With Chopin I just connect or I don't. I can't always explain it. Lately I have been striking out (Argerich and Freire's new CDs)...

Have you heard Argerich's third Scherzo on DG, George? It's blazing, imo!