I admire the late Svaitoslav Richter, because I am thrilled by the passion that he brings to his interpretations.
This recording preserves for us music that he played many years ago, and that deserves to be available to folks in the future.
Sviatoslav Richter plays The following:
Mussorgsky:
Pictures at an Exhibition (Original piano version)
Tchaikovsky:
Grand Sonata for Piano in G major Op. 37
The Seasons, Op. 37b (excerpts)
All selections played by Svjatoslav Richter (piano)
Richter’s creative flair lifts hitherto neglected pieces by Tchaikovsky to the level of Mussorgsky’s mighty ‘Pictures’ in recordings from Moscow to New York.
A Russian pianist known for the depth of his interpretations, virtuoso technique, and vast repertoire, Richter is considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century and his approach resulted in some of the most distinctive and individual performances of the piano repertoire ever recorded.
In later life he took to playing at very short notice in small, most often darkened halls, with only a small lamp lighting the score. Richter said that this setting helped the audience focus on the music being performed, rather than the performer’s grimaces and gestures.
Here is Sviatoslav Richter, playing Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition:
