Introduction Und Allegro Appassionato G - Dur Op. 92
Novellette F - Dur Op. 21 No. 1
Toccata C - Dur Op. 7
Waldszenen Op. 82: Entry
Waldszenen Op. 82: Hunters On The Lookout
Waldszenen Op. 82: Lonely Flowers
Waldszenen Op. 82: Place Of Evil Fame
Waldszenen Op. 82: Friendly Landscape
Waldszenen Op. 82: Shelter
Waldszenen Op. 82: Bird As Prophet
Waldszenen Op. 82: Hunting Song
Waldszenen Op. 82: Farewell
If you want to judge a pianist's versatility, listen to his or her recording of the Schumann Piano Concerto. It requires virtually everything a pianist should have to offer: poetry, virtuosity, expansive expression alterna... more »ting with poised restraint. What a glorious test piece this is. Richter, who was famous for his Schumann playing, passes every test here. His meltingly beautiful delivery of Schumann's melodies touches the heart, and his execution of the most difficult passages is so smooth and effortless that it never calls a bit of attention to itself. In this piece and the Introduction and Allegro, the excellent orchestra also covers itself with glory. The solo pieces are no less wonderful. The way Richter plays the difficult Toccata is almost scary in its combination of power and velocity. The Forest Scenes is a slightly older recording (1956) than the others (1958), but it still sounds lovely. Catch Richter's whirlwind playing of "Traumes-Wirren" and you'll understand right away why other pianists had such respect for his technique. Listen to his "Prophet Bird" and he'll touch your heart. --Leslie Gerber« less
If you want to judge a pianist's versatility, listen to his or her recording of the Schumann Piano Concerto. It requires virtually everything a pianist should have to offer: poetry, virtuosity, expansive expression alternating with poised restraint. What a glorious test piece this is. Richter, who was famous for his Schumann playing, passes every test here. His meltingly beautiful delivery of Schumann's melodies touches the heart, and his execution of the most difficult passages is so smooth and effortless that it never calls a bit of attention to itself. In this piece and the Introduction and Allegro, the excellent orchestra also covers itself with glory. The solo pieces are no less wonderful. The way Richter plays the difficult Toccata is almost scary in its combination of power and velocity. The Forest Scenes is a slightly older recording (1956) than the others (1958), but it still sounds lovely. Catch Richter's whirlwind playing of "Traumes-Wirren" and you'll understand right away why other pianists had such respect for his technique. Listen to his "Prophet Bird" and he'll touch your heart. --Leslie Gerber
"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."
& I thought Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 was my favorite!
H. Lou | Boston, MA | 11/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
"Flowing Like Oil..."
Ludwig Bauernfeind | 03/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
One of Best Schumann-Only Discs Around
Antonio Robert | Slovakia, Europe | 08/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."