Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: 1. Allegro
2. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: 2. Andante
3. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: 3. Scherzo: Allegro molto e con fuoco
4. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1: 4. Finale: Allegro con fuoco
5. Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 2: 1. Allegro non troppo, ma energico
6. Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 2: 2. Andante con espressione
7. Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 2: 3. Scherzo: Allegro
8. Piano Sonata No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 2: 4. Finale: Introduzione (Sostenuto) - Allegro non troppo e rubato

Disc 2:

1. Variations (28) on a Theme of Paganini, for piano, in A minor, Op. 35: 1. Book 1
2. Variations (28) on a Theme of Paganini, for piano, in A minor, Op. 35: 2. Book 2
3. Ballade for piano in G minor, Op. 118/3
4. Rhapsody for piano in E flat major, Op. 119/4
5. Intermezzo for piano in E minor, Op. 116/5
6. Capriccio for piano in C major, Op. 76/8
7. Fantasie (Obolen auf Beethovens Monument) for piano in C major, Op. 17: 1. Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen - I
8. Fantasie (Obolen auf Beethovens Monument) for piano in C major, Op. 17: 2. M��ig. Durchaus energisch - Etwas langsamer - Viel bewegte
9. Fantasie (Obolen auf Beethovens Monument) for piano in C major, Op. 17: 3. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten - Etwas bewegte

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #273524 in Music
• Released on: 2007-11-13
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .28 pounds

Album Description
Sviatoslav Richter is widely regarded as one of the finest pianists of the twentieth century. With a career that began in Soviet Russia in the 1930s, listeners in the West had their first opportunity to hear him through recordings made in the 1950s, and his reputation among classical fans grew quickly. Richter's approach to music is best illustrated by the enormous range of his repertoire. In recital and on recordings he played everything from Bach to Stravinsky to George Gershwin as well as championing unknown or unpopular works he thought deserved the public's attention. For the first time Philips and Decca recordings are brought together for a new definitive mid-price Richter series. Sviatoslav Richter died in 1997 - the year 2007 marks the 10th anniversary of his death.

Customer Reviews

Fine recordings, though maybe slightly below Katchen's Brahms
Despite what another reviewer says, these performances aren't fuzzy (whatever that's supposed to mean). First, let's get the Schumann out of the way. Richter's renditions of Op.17 have always been regarded by most as first choice or close to it. These accolades are clearly deserved. In the Brahms, especially Sonata No.1, the lines are clearly articulated, in Richter's usual fashion. Although I may slightly prefer Julius Katchen's slightly more fiery playing in Sonata No.2 and the Variations, these are never-the-less, very fine performances. 4 1/2 stars.

Richter - Brahms
I shared my first audition of this CD with a friend who is himself a very fine pianist. We were both, he more than me, disappointed with Richter's performance of the Brahms. I described his playing as "fuzzy". Brian said his "voicing was poor and he failed to treat the music as the valedictory that Brahms intended." His treatment of the Schumann was however beautiful and what we would expect of this wonderful Pianist. I could not therefore recommend this CD as I would Richter's Rach 2, which I love.