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.
Track Listing:
1. Piano sonata no. 18 in E-flat major, op. 31, no. 3, 'The hunt', I. Allegro (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
2. Piano sonata no. 18 in E-flat major, op. 31, no. 3, 'The hunt', II. Scherzo. Allegretto Vivace (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
3. Piano sonata no. 18 in E-flat major, op. 31, no. 3, 'The hunt', III. Menuetto. Moderato E Grazioso (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
4. Piano sonata no. 18 in E-flat major, op. 31, no. 3, 'The hunt', IV. Presto Con Fuoco (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
5. Piano sonata no. 27 in E minor, op. 90, I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit Und Durchaus Mit Empfindung Und Ausdruck (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
6. Piano sonata no. 27 in E minor, op. 90, II. Nicht Zu Geschwind Und Sehr Singbar Vorgetragen (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
1. Piano sonata no. 28 in A major, op. 101, I. Etwas Lebhaft Und Mit Der Innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto Ma Non Troppo (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
2. Piano sonata no. 28 in A major, op. 101, II. Lebhaft, Marschmäßig. Vivace Alla Marcia (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
3. Piano sonata no. 28 in A major, op. 101, III. Langsam Und Sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio Ma Non Troppo, Con Affetto (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
4. Piano sonata no. 28 in A major, op. 101, IV. Geschwind, Doch Nicht Zu Sehr Und Mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
5. Piano sonata no. 31 in A-flat major, op. 110, I. Moderato Cantabile Molto Espressivo (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
6. Piano sonata no. 31 in A-flat major, op. 110, II. Allegro Molto (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
7. Piano sonata no. 31 in A-flat major, op. 110, IIIa. Adagio Ma Non Troppo (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
8. Piano sonata no. 31 in A-flat major, op. 110, IIIb. Fuga. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Ludwig van Beethoven) - Sviatoslav Richter
