ORFEO International

News

March 2015

Sviatoslav Richter 100th Anniversary

Among those Soviet pianists who overcame all obstacles to be able to perform to enthusiastic audiences in the concert halls of the world, Sviatoslav Richter is regarded by many as an exceptional case.
Sviatoslav Richter
Foto: Archive of the Salzburger FestspieleBorn on 20 March 1915, he studied in the legendary class of Heinrich G. Neuhaus at the Moscow Conservatory. His performances of the great solo repertoire were internationally in demand from the 1960s onwards, but right up to his final concert in 1995 (two years before his death) his solo career never prevented him from performing chamber music too. He performed with a host of different ensembles and with many of his artist friends. His renowned perfectionism and his ability to enter into the style of any musical epoch are also evident in his live recordings from Munich and Salzburg in the ORFEO catalogue. Here we can hear him as a recitalist in works by Beethoven, Chopin and Debussy, in Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Riccardo Muti, in song recitals with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and in a duo with David Oistrakh. In Richter’s concert with Oistrakh at the Salzburg Festival, their programme included Sergei Prokofiev’s First Violin Sonata – a testament to his close collaboration with contemporary composers and to his commitment to their music.

C 491 981 B Beethoven, Andante favori; Chopin, Walzer op. 34/1-3, Scherzo op. 31, Barcarolle op. 60; Debussy, Suite bergamasque, Estampes Sviatoslav Richter

C 489 981 B Brahms, Johannes: Sonate Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100; Prokofjew, Sergej: Sonate Nr. 1 f-Moll op. 80 David Oistrach; Sviatoslav Richter

C 867 121 B Schumann, Robert: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54; Rossini, Gioachino: Semiramide-Ouvertьre; Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus: Sinfonia concertante Es-Dur KV 364 Sviatoslav Richter; Wiener Philharmoniker, Riccardo Muti

C 490 981 B Brahms, Johannes: Die schöne Magelone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; Sviatoslav Richter

C 334 931 B Schubert, Franz: Liederabend Salzburger Festspiele 1977 Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; Sviatoslav Richter

C 543 001 B Wolf, Hugo: Goethe-Lieder Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; Sviatoslav Richter