Track Listing

1. Con No.1, Op.15 in C: Allegro Con Brio
2. Con No.1, Op.15 in C: Largo
3. Con No.1, Op.15 in C: Rondo: Allegro Scherzando
4. Etudes, Op.10: No.1-Allegro
5. Etudes, Op.10: No.2-Allegro, Sempre Legato
6. Etudes, Op.10: No.3-Lento Ma Non Troppo
7. Etudes, Op.10: No.4-Presto
8. Etudes, Op.10: No.6-Andante Con Molto Espressione
9. Etudes, Op.10: No.1-Allegretto
10. Etudes, Op.10: No.12-Allegro Con Fuoco

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #558007 in Music
• Released on: 1994-03-15
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Sviatoslav Richter made a great recording of the Beethoven First Piano Concerto for RCA, but this isn't it. Fortunately, that version (with Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony), recorded in 1960, is still available (RCA Victor Gold Seal 6804), generously coupled with two Beethoven Piano Sonatas, and it still sounds just great. This 1988 live performance is relatively slow and sluggish, far from the pianist's best despite its good moments. Some of the Chopin Etudes are extremely sensitive and involving, enough to tempt the Richter fan. But this is definitely not essential Richter. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Mature Artistry by Late Richter

The editorial review by Leslie Gerber is missing point here, comparing Richter's 60s performance with this one. In his late years he was not interested in brilliant display of his virtuosity, even though he still possessed the ability to do so. From 90s on, his playing had become more and more inward-looking and self-effacing. That is evident in this performance of Beethoven concerto, which is filled with magical moments and rarified beauty.

Chopin Etudes are not so electrifying as his earlier recordings, but again listeners attention is drawn, not to technical brilliance, but to music itself. Ovation at the end of concerto and etudes shows how much audience appreciated the late master's mature artistry.