Customer Reviews

Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 / Piano Sonata No. 8

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I usually have in mind a list of the ten greatest piano recordings of all time. Luckily, having no particular label affiliation, I am compelled to make my choices solely by personal preference, Millenial Collections notwithstanding. The Fifth Concerto is rarely if ever, played. Richter's version is superb. But the Eighth Sonata receives the most excruciatingly beautiful performance. The lyricism, drama, colour are all qualities in this performance that have remained with me for decades. An essential recording for anyone who loves the piano.

Prokofiev considered his 5th Piano Concerto to be unjustly neglected at the expense of his ever-popular 3rd. On the evidence of this September 1958 recording, he was right! Richter and the Warsaw National Philharmonic are flawless and sparkling with the spirit of Prokofiev, a light, urbane wit seldom heard since Mozart. The 8th Sonata is another spirit entirely, perhaps Prokofiev's most profound and complex work. There are gentle passages following turbulence and darkness that are of the utmost beauty, and Richter's playing is a marvel.

Other than his 2nd Symphony, Prokofiev's modernist impulse is clearest in his works for piano. The 7th and 8th Sonatas especially are masterworks of the early 20th century, and Richter's is THE 8th!

Prokofiev's 5th Concerto has never been one of his popular works in the medium. It's a quirky, original piece that needs a pianist who really gets it and when you have such a stellar Prokofiev advocate as Sviatoslav Richter working his magic in this music, this is a performance that will win you over.

The Eighth Sonata doesn't need any special kind of advocacy, this is great music through and through. Richter's understanding and sympathy is fully in tune to this large scaled sonata's needs. All three Prokofiev war sonatas have been righfully acclaimed. The Eighth Sonata's general mood is one of contemplation rather than the energy of it's predecessors. Many regard this as one of Prokofiev's most profound pieces. Richter wraps up this recording with a trio selection from the Visions Fugitives. The recorded sound is wonderful for it's time and even today. Fantastic addition to any Prokofiev library and a must if you're a Richter fan.

Don't get me wrong these performances, esp. the ones forom the keyboard have all of the energy, stength and heart that you would expect from Richter. I can not find one fault with his playing here. It is the recording itself that I have an issue with. The recording balance in the concerto is way off. The piano is always (incorrectly) projected as being louder than the orchestra. If you've ever been to a paiano concerto concert, you know that this is simply not true. Therefore, I give it 4 stars.

excellent recording. prompt service frm amazon