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Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano
Concertos
Although the late Sviatoslav Richter
spent his later years concentrating on Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn,
Richter never completely abandoned the music of his native country.
His reading of Rachmaninov's most popular concerto, captured
in fine late-'50s stereo, is one of the most glorious ever recorded.Richter's
amazing technique is completely up to the demands of Rachmaninov's
difficult writing, and he plays the heart-on-sleeve melodies
with such refined intensity that they never sound sentimental.
This performance is a truly amazing example of great pianism.
Karajan and Sviatoslav Richter recorded this work together as
a favor to a record-company executive, but they don't seem to
be in sympathy. The conductor's excessive refinement holds the
pianist back, and the result is much too restrained for the music.
Never mind. The Rachmaninov alone is easily worth the price of
this disc. --Leslie Gerber |
Reviewer: Thomas Lapins from Orlando, Florida
USA
It was Rachmaninov who seduced me into classical music. It was
my first hearing of Richter's earlier version that hooked me
forever on both Rachmaninov and classical music (I have searched
for Richter's Piano Concerto #2 with the Moscow National Symphony
Orchestra, with the conductor Kiril Kondrashin, for several years
on disc. If anyone knows how I might locate a copy please e-mail
me, very much appreciated.) When I hear this version I inevitably
feel the profoundest exhileration run through my veins. I don't
find Richter's version sentimental, perhaps darkly romantic,
but rather a stirring and stimulating encounter. I remember lying
in bed as a young man and listening to this concerto (Richter's
earlier version) and being totally absorbed and distant from
all else. My musical taste is eclectic but if I had to choose
only one type of music, it would be classical music, and that
would be largely due to Rachmaninov and Richter. This piece breathes
with an emotional intelligence unafraid to go over the edge,
and then some. So far, Richter's interpretations remain at the
top of the chart in interpretation and execution. |
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