Search - Beethoven, Richter :: Sviatoslav Richter, Vol. 6: Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3 / Piano Sonata No. 4 in E Flat Major, Op. 7 / Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

It would be ****** 6 stars if possible

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 07/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They picked the right drawing for the cover of this -- with Richter hunched over the keyboard, seemingly contemplative but poised to bang away any moment.



Long removed from circulation in USA, this magnificent and titanic CD is fortunately still available from England. It recently became available on another label -- Regis -- and may be found in U.S.A. through search of this site.



If so, waste no more time and get it! Otherwise go to Amazon.com.UK and seek out this stupendous record, one of the greatest Beethoven piano records I have encountered in 32 years buying, selling and collecting CDs.



Only Richter could take the relatively minor Piano Sonata No. 3 (Op. 2 No. 3 if you can beleive it!) and turn it into a heaving, heavy breathing giant the likes of which most people don't see until the Sonata 17 or so. Listen to the first sound byte offered above if you don't believe me.



Richter takes a tiny little creation and makes it gigantic, leonine in projection and immense in its power. I have heard and owned dozens of Richter Beethoven CDs and nothing in that experience compares to the majesty and power of this little CD comprised of three of Beethoven typically mild-mannered creations.



The Sonatas 4 and 27 -- which are also among my favorites -- do not quite reach the pinnacle of little Sonata 3 but they are very nicely done and put a majestic stamp of approval on a most outstanding issue. The sound on this CD, which was recorded in Russia in 1975, is staggeringly successful.



One cannot find the words to describe the void that exists in USA for this extraordinary disk being unavailable. Perhaps the newer Regis recording will become commerically available on this side of the Atlantic before long."

Invaluable treasures to keep in mind!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 09/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
As I have commented in previous reviews about the spiritual enhancement around Richter `s existence since 1965, his approaches respect Ludwig van Beethoven were becoming more and more transcendental. Not only in what concerns his accurate phrasing, it's the overall domain of the Beethovenian language, the formidable sense of the color, faultless dynamics and full expressiveness. Richter is total shape of his musical powers under composer' service.



His formidable pianistic technique has gained that coveted status of orchestral balance. Richter played the piano as a director conducting a symphony. His full conveyance has given the expected results. He has penetrated into the nocturnal introspection, achieving renovated éclat and extracted the natural sound in Beethoven, without theatrical attitudes, the bars breath, the perfect modulations and change of tonal character permit him to express a mercurial, vigorous and epic Beethoven.



Many people has not realized yet about this crucial twist of fate in Richter's art since the 70' s, and this is a real shame.



That's why I beg your full attention at the moment to listen any of these three performed sonatas, specially the colossal reading of the fourth sonata, performed with thunderous fingering and sheer vitality; rivaling with the mesmerizing versions of Michelangeli and Kempff, while in the third sonata he gives us a heartfelt and careful interpretation with magnificent results.



The nostalgic and introspective Op. 90 is zealously performed with a superb balance and sumptuous refinement.



So I don't hesitate at the moment to recommend you this legendary set, that surely will captive you, due the refulgent resonance of this magisterial approaches.



The third and fourth sonatas were recorded in 1977 and the Op. 90 in 1971 A must-have!.





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