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 height of his powers. 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.

Disc 1

Track name

Artist

1.I. Allegro

Sviatoslav Richter

2.II. Scherzo. Allegretto Vivace

Sviatoslav Richter

3.III. Menuetto. Moderato E Grazioso

Sviatoslav Richter

4.IV. Presto Con Fuoco

Sviatoslav Richter

5.I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit Und Durchaus Mit Empfindung Und Ausdruck

Sviatoslav Richter

6.II. Nicht Zu Geschwind Und Sehr Singbar Vorgetragen

Sviatoslav Richter

Disc 2

Track name

Artist

1.I. Etwas Lebhaft Und Mit Der Innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto Ma Non Troppo

Sviatoslav Richter

2.II. Lebhaft, Marschma?ig. Vivace Alla Marcia

Sviatoslav Richter

3.III. Langsam Und Sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio Ma Non Troppo, Con Affetto

Sviatoslav Richter

4.IV. Geschwind, Doch Nicht Zu Sehr Und Mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro

Sviatoslav Richter

5.I. Moderato Cantabile Molto Espressivo

Sviatoslav Richter

6.II. Allegro Molto

Sviatoslav Richter

7.IIIa. Adagio Ma Non Troppo

Sviatoslav Richter

8.IIIb. Fuga. Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Sviatoslav Richter

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