Customer Reviews

Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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This recording of Schumann's concerto is simply the best: the orchestra is very good (despite reviews to the contrary), the soloist-orchestra interplay is superb, and Richter's playing is divine.

If you listen to this recording repeatedly, and then compare it with other good or very good recordings (Lipatti, Serkin, Moravec, Staier), you'll notice the differences: you will be aware how these latter pianists search for the correct interpretation of certain passages, and often they succeed. You'll be also aware, however, that Richter does not interpret. He simply plays it the way Schumann must have intended the work, i.e. the way it has to be played. It's not a matter of technique - in this respect, many(but not too many) pianists are as good as Richter. It's just like Schumann's spirit has penetrated Richter's nervous system and guides his fingers.

When you're not listening to the concerto for a long time, and then try to "play" it in your head, you will reckognize that it "sounds" like the Richter-Rowicki recording. And you will notice flaws in all other recordings.

Summarized: Best recording of Richter, best recording of Schumann's piano concerto, and my all-time favorite recording.

Mozart, addressing future performers of his Piano Concertos is quoted as saying "...just make it flow like oil!" Schumann, like Mozart, takes a predominantly lyrical approach in this concerto and the music portays itself as one inspired stream of genius. It is. And in the hands of Richter, this stream soon becomes a raging rapid of emotion. Flows like oil? Yes!

That is...until I heard the first few notes of this Schumann concerto. I was literally in tears the first 50 times I listened to the 1st movement of this concerto. Personally I'm not a big fan of Schumann's work, but this is the absolute best piano concerto, and it is a "must buy" for any piano lover. This recording also substantiated my love for Richter's playing.

as the other reviews have said, this is a remarkable performance. the ensemble playing is crisp without being rigid, and the players are recorded with the clarity of a chamber orchestra: all the instrumental soloists are distinguished and the balance with the soloist is perfect. richter creates a subtle range of moods within the overall perspective of each movement -- hard to do in a concerto role, as the orchestra must contribute to the effect -- though his dynamic contrasts are not as extreme as typical. the cumulative effect is apollonian, magisterial, and timeless. the solo pieces are marvelous technical and interpretive displays as well.

First thing first. If you are willing to listen to something from Schumann, the piano Concerto is always a good choice. Well, in fact, there are only a few Concerti which importance and beauty can be compared to this one.

Then to the pianist,... The Pianist!! I simply cannot imagine a better version of Schumanns piano concerto. I used to think Dinu Lipatti's was the best possible, then Clara Haskil,... till I found this by Richter recording.

Maybe I should not be surprised at all, since Richter uses to be my fav pianist for most of the "deep" romantic repertoire, and here he displays his art so breathtakingly,... as always featuring a very deep comprehension of the piece structure, from beginning to end, balancing the emotion with the rest, transitioning the apparently indolence to the deepest of passion, and with that incredible and clean technique that I am ashamed to mention maybe because he trascends so much the mere muscle pushing the key that one regrets going to such a futile thing as his piano attack, or how he can change his sound, or the tempo, or the way all the modulations are understood and openly are paths to take you somewhere. But with no magic tricks, with no manierism, everything so open, true, so clear so bare pure music and sincere emotion. Dont hesitate and get this CD. It is a masteriece, the music, and the interpretation.

Regards from Spain.

Robert Schumann composed primarily for the piano and with this disc Deutsche Grammophon managed to compile an essential list of his works, interpreted by the master lyricist Sviatoslav Richter. All the works were recorded in eastern Europe before the pianist was allowed to travel to the West. The Waldszenen (1956) especially served as a visiting card to western audiences. The concerto is excellent, but not overwhelming; it's the Introduction and Allegro Appassionato that is the pinnacle of this album, hauntingly beautiful in its contrast of tenderness and majesty. From the solo pieces, the toccata makes a perfect showcase of Richter's class. Overall, the CD is a good introduction to Schumann and a nice sample of Richter at his most romantic.

Over the course of time, I have listened to at least five different pianists play this Schumann piano concerto. Most recently I've discovered Klara Wurtz and find her refreshing to listen to in her well balanced lyrical interpretation and technical skills (Check her out! - she plays Schumann beautifully). But this classic recording will always be the #1 recording in my book.

It' no wonder Richter is still counted today as one of the top 10 pianists in recording history. Emil Gilels (a world known pianist) himself said, "If you think I'm something, wait until you hear Richter!" His playing is a delight to hear and the orchestra in this recording does him justice (regardless of what some negative reviewers have said). My point is, this is a great recording by a great pianist who nailed Schumann's piano concerto.

All of us who admire the supreme interpretative status of Sviatoslav Richter know about his variable temperament. That personal feature permeated every piece he played in his fruitful career. The Piano Concerto has been played for so many pianists in the most different approach. It is a piece of irresistible romantic ethos, who can deny it? .

This version remained indeed, as one the most prominent in the market for years; but there were many more: Lipatti, Michelangeli, Rubinstein, Cortot ,Van Cliburn, Yves Nat among many others, we should wait until the most elegant, expressive, eloquent and committed performance ever recorded : Ivan Moravec with the Czech Philharmonic conducted by Vaclav Neumann (a very hard to find CD).

That fact established more than just a line; a true frontier, a reference pattern, very hard to surpass until this date. Richter 's performance is something inexpressive, he could make a major and best performance. But despite of it, remains among the ten best available and trustable versions.

The rest of the CD is absolutely perfect .I don't know about any other version of Introduction and Allegro capable to match with it. His Novelette is very expressive and sensitive with the only exception of the monumental version of Wilhelm Kempff and one register of Emil Gilels.

The Toccata is simply memorable; there are , however two very remarkable version: Martha Argerich and Vladimir Horowitz. The Waldzsenen Op. 82 is a a very genuine jewel.

Go for this, keeping in mind there are better options respect the piano Concerto.

This CD came with a "classic" label on its cover, implying something special. In this particular case, the product did not disappoint. While the Schumann piano concerto is one of my favorites, the pianist, Sviatoslav Richter, was not well known in the west in that he was hidden behind the iron curtain for many years. Yet his rare performances that were witnessed by western audiences never failed to amaze. The current recording was made in Prague in 1957 or 1958. Richter's obvious virtuosity is evident from the artistic ease and expression that even the most difficult passages just float very pleasingly into one's ear.

I was amazed to hear such a wonderful performance by Richter from the 1950s. I was told that Richter has wonderful recordings and I was quite impressed. The Schumann concerto is beautiful and Richter's performance is very enjoyable to listen to.