Immerse yourself in the extraordinary artistry of Sviatoslav Richter, one of the most celebrated pianists of the 20th century, with this comprehensive collection titled "Sviatoslav Richter: Titan of the Piano." Released on March 19, 2025, by Warner Classics, this album spans an impressive four hours and thirty-one minutes, offering a profound journey through the classical piano repertoire.
Richter's virtuosity and interpretive depth are showcased in a diverse selection of works by some of the most revered composers in history. From the intricate and expressive pieces of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms to the romantic and lyrical compositions of Schubert, Schumann, and Chopin, this album is a testament to Richter's unparalleled technical skill and emotional resonance.
The tracklist includes iconic pieces such as Beethoven's "Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 'The Tempest'" and Schubert's "Wanderer Fantasy," as well as lesser-known gems like Dvořák's "Piano Concerto in G Minor" and Bartók's "Piano Concerto No. 2." Richter's performances are marked by their clarity, precision, and profound musicality, making this album a treasure trove for both seasoned classical music enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Recorded over various sessions, including live performances at the Grange de la Besnardière in 1974, this collection captures the essence of Richter's live performances, adding an extra layer of authenticity and immediacy. The album is a fitting tribute to Richter's enduring legacy as a titan of the piano, offering a timeless exploration of the classical piano repertoire.
Handel: Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 428: I. PreludeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Schumann: Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26: No. 4, Intermezzo. Mit grösster EnergieRobert Schumann, Sviatoslav Richter
Bach, JS: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054: III. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Sviatoslav Richter, Yuri Bashmet, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto
Schubert: Fantasy in C Major, Op. 15, D. 760 "Wanderer-Fantasy": III. PrestoFranz Schubert, Sviatoslav Richter
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: II. AdagioLudwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": III. Scherzo. Allegro moltoLudwig van Beethoven, Oleg Kagan, Sviatoslav Richter
Mozart / Arr. Grieg for Two Pianos: Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": I. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Sviatoslav Richter
Handel: Keyboard Suite in F Minor, HWV 433: V. GigueGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Schumann: Papillons, Op. 2: No. 13, Finale in D MajorRobert Schumann, Sviatoslav Richter
Bach, JS: Piano Concerto No. 7 in G Minor, BWV 1058: I. —Johann Sebastian Bach, Sviatoslav Richter, Yuri Bashmet, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G Major, Op. 55: V. VivoSergei Prokofiev, Sviatoslav Richter, London Symphony Orchestra, Lorin Maazel
Handel: Harpsichord Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430: I. PreludeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 31 in C Major, K. 404: II. Allegretto (Live, Grange de la Besnardière, 1974)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Oleg Kagan, Sviatoslav Richter
Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22: IV. Rondo. PrestoRobert Schumann, Sviatoslav Richter
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G Major, Op. 55: I. Allegro con brioSergei Prokofiev, Sviatoslav Richter, London Symphony Orchestra, Lorin Maazel
Handel: Harpsichord Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430: III. CouranteGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 26 in B-Flat Major, K. 378: III. Rondo. Allegro (Live, Grange de la Besnardière, 1974)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Oleg Kagan, Sviatoslav Richter
Schubert: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 15, D. 760 "Wanderer-Fantasie": I. Allegro con fuoco ma non troppoFranz Schubert, Sviatoslav Richter
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: I. AllegroLudwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter
Bach, JS: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054: II. Adagio e piano sempreJohann Sebastian Bach, Sviatoslav Richter, Yuri Bashmet, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto
Handel: Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 428: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22: I. So rasch wie möglichRobert Schumann, Sviatoslav Richter
Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 13 in A Major, Op. Posth. 120, D. 664: III. AllegroFranz Schubert, Sviatoslav Richter
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 "The Tempest": III. AllegrettoLudwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter
Handel: Keyboard Suite in F Major, HWV 427: IV. Fugue. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: IV. PrestissimoLudwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter
Schumann: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17: II. Mässig, durchaus energisch - Etwas bewegter - Viel bewegterRobert Schumann, Sviatoslav Richter
Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. Posth. 114, D. 667 "The Trout": IV. Tema con variazione. AndantinoFranz Schubert, Borodin Quartet, Sviatoslav Richter, Georg Hortnagel
Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33, B. 63: II. Andante sostenutoAntonín Dvořák, Sviatoslav Richter, Carlos Kleiber, Bavarian State Orchestra
Handel: Keyboard Suite in G Major, HWV 441: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: II. Allegro appassionatoJohannes Brahms, Sviatoslav Richter, Lorin Maazel, Orchestre de Paris
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37: III. Rondo. AllegroLudwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter, Riccardo Muti, Philharmonia Orchestra
Handel: Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 428: VI. PrestoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503: II. AndanteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Yuri Bashmet, Sviatoslav Richter, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto
Beethoven: Andante favori in F Major, WoO 57Ludwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter
Handel: Keyboard Suite in E Major, HWV 430: IV. Air and Variations "The Harmonious Blacksmith"George Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Brahms: 15 Romances from Tieck's "Die schöne Magelone", Op. 33: No. 5, So willst du des ArmenJohannes Brahms, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Sviatoslav Richter
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2, Sz. 95: III. Allegro moltoBéla Bartók, Sviatoslav Richter, Lorin Maazel, Orchestre de Paris
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23: I. PrestoLudwig van Beethoven, Oleg Kagan, Sviatoslav Richter
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3: II. Largo e mestoLudwig van Beethoven, Sviatoslav Richter
Handel: Keyboard Suite in G Major, HWV 441: VI. GavottaGeorge Frideric Handel, Sviatoslav Richter
Brahms: 15 Romances from Tieck's "Die schöne Magelone", Op. 33: No. 2, Traun! Bogen und Pfeil sind gutJohannes Brahms, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Sviatoslav Richter
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83: IV. Allegretto graziosoJohannes Brahms, Sviatoslav Richter, Lorin Maazel, Orchestre de Paris
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring": I. AllegroLudwig van Beethoven, Oleg Kagan, Sviatoslav Richter
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54: III. Allegro vivaceRobert Schumann, Sviatoslav Richter, Lovro Von Matacic, Orchestre National de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo
Mozart: Violin Sonata No. 23 in D Major, K. 306: I. Allegro con spirito (Live, Grange de la Besnardière, 1974)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Oleg Kagan, Sviatoslav Richter
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: I. Allegro molto moderatoEdvard Grieg, Sviatoslav Richter, Lovro Von Matacic, Orchestre National de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2, Sz. 95: I. AllegroBéla Bartók, Sviatoslav Richter, Lorin Maazel, Orchestre de Paris
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