Richter Prokofiev

Many collectors would agree that Sviatoslav Richter was the greatest pianist of the 20th century. His enormous recorded legacy hides hundreds of treasures, many of which are included in this beautiful 51CD set. Released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth (20th March 2015), the edition encompasses his complete Decca, Philips and DG recordings, including his Sofia Recital as well as his collaborations with Rostropovich, Karajan and Benjamin Britten.

Sergei Prokofiev wrote his Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 100, in Soviet Russia in one month in the summer of 1944. Fourteen years had passed since Prokofiev wrote the first version of his Symphony No. 4 in C major. World War II was still raging during the symphony's gestation, and Prokofiev composed it in the Soviet Union. He gave out in a statement at the time that he intended it as "a hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit." He added "I cannot say that I deliberately chose this theme. It was born in me and clamoured for expression. The music matured within me. It filled my soul.

From the notes: "The tapes from which these CD's are taken were discovered in Russia by a dedicated group of Richter enthusiasts. They bring us by far the most extensive sampling of Richter's live performances from the 1950's. And they do this in recorded sound that, while not the ultimate in fidelity, is superior to what we might have expected from early Russian tapes." Notes by Leslie Gerber [also the Producer]

From the notes: "Nearly all of the recital from April 1958 represents new discoveries of major importance. Only one of the Liszt pieces _Aux cypres de la Villa d'este_ exists in another Richter recording (Russia Revelation RV10011, a phenomenal all-Liszt recital also dating from 1958) Richter has long been known as one of the great Liszt players…. his two Concertos and his live performances of the Sonata [New York 1965] were amongst the greatest versions of that monumental work played by any pianist"

Many collectors would agree that Sviatoslav Richter was the greatest pianist of the 20th century. His enormous recorded legacy hides hundreds of treasures, many of which are included in this beautiful 51CD set. Released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth (20th March 2015), the edition encompasses his complete Decca, Philips and DG recordings, including his Sofia Recital as well as his collaborations with Rostropovich, Karajan and Benjamin Britten.

This Deutsche Grammophon compilation is an excellent celebration of the talents of the great pianist Sviatoslav Richter. In keeping with his own approach, the choice of music demonstrates that there is much more to piano virtuosity than the ability to play fast and loud. He could do this, of course, but here we also experience his phenomenal control over the `colour' of each note (the Bach D minor prelude) his poise (the Debussy Estampes) and his intellectual grasp of structure (the Chopin F minor Ballade which also superbly demonstrates his ability to make the piano roar, whisper or sing).

I think I can safely claim to speak for many Hungarian musicians, when I say that from our childhood on, for decades, Richter’s concerts were the greatest musical experience we had.. In addition to his indescribable personal aura, his unique physical and intellectual characteristics, the simplicity, thoughtfulness and honesty of his approach supplied us for years with the strength and the desire to study and make music.- ~ Dezső Ránki