Details

Restored by Emil Berliner Studios!
Lost 1965 Tapes Released for the Very First Time!

Anyone who thinks that there is no longer anything to say on the subject of Sviatoslav Richter's discography is wrong. For sixty years these recordings, which were made by Deutsche Grammophon at the Tours and Lucerne Festivals in 1965, have slumbered in the Yellow Label's archives. Carefully restored by Emil Berliner Studios, they are being released now for the very first time. Like many other artists, Richter felt that he could play more freely and give better performances in the concert hall rather than in the studio. These tremendous recordings reveal the pianist at the pinnacle of his powers as a pianist. Indeed, they evoke Van Cliburn's comment: "That is the most powerful piano playing I have ever heard." Richter's interpretations of Beethoven are phenomenal. The performances of the Sonatas Nos. 18, 27, 28 and 31 show a strikingly modern approach that never shies away from taking risks to express the music in its furthest extreme. Pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja, a confidante of Richter, was enthusiastic about the artistic freedom, technical brilliance and love of the music conveyed in these recordings. The album includes a recent interview with Elisabeth Leonskaja, an essay by Jed Distler and editorial notes by Markus Kettner. Numerous photographs, some previously unpublished, complete the edition.

Features

• First-Ever Release
• Restored by Emil Berliner Studios
• 180g Vinyl
• Double LP
• Gatefold Jacket
• Recent Interview with Richter's Confidante Elisabeth Leonskaja
• Essay by Jed Distler
• Editorial Notes by Markus Kettner
• Previously Unpublished Photographs
• Made in Germany

Musicians

Selections

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

LP 1 - Side A:

Piano Sonata No. 18 in E flat major "The Hunt" op. 31/3

1. Allegro
2. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace
3. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso Trio
4. Presto con fuoco

LP 1 - Side B:

Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor op. 90

1. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
2. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen

LP 2 - Side A:

Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major op. 101

1. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto ma non troppo
2. Lebhaft, marschmig. Vivace alla marcia
3. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto attacca
4. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro

LP 2 - Side B:

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major op. 110

1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
2. Allegro molto
3. Adagio ma non troppo Klagender Gesang (Arioso dolente)
4. Fuga. Allegro ma non troppo