(Richter 1996) Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 - Pt. 2

[GodGiftedMusician]

Amazing! Richter never fails to capture the essence and beauty of the composer's music, in my opinion. As he said once, when asked how he plays these pieces with outstanding beauty and clarity, "I just play what the composer wrote. They [composers] are the geniuses, not me..." Giving all the praise to another! A great pianist in my book, one of the best!

[New4785689]

this is not 1996, the last time he played it was in 1959.

[schumannlover1]

Thanks God, for Rachmaninov and Richter ! :)

[MISHA1119]

Yes, bringing back that passionate second idea in the first theme Rachmaninoff quite

ingeniously gives the pianist a glorious extended passage - the dark, swirling arpeggios that were divided between the hands in the opening are now taken more with the left hand, while the right hand articulates the surging, elegiac melody the orchestra stated originally. From this point until the fiery coda the movement becomes chamber-like and contains some of Rachmaninoff's most beautiful musical thought.

[fatalfuz]

This is 1996? Richter died in 97 I think, so he'd be 81 in this recording. Quite impressive!

[billyguns2]

This is wonderful, and beautifully recorded; please also listen to Richter's live performance with Sanderling, which is thrilling. I also like Kapell, Cliburn, Rubinstein, and Janis in this music, and what music!

[michsmlo]

i just love this section of the 1st movement - right after the climax which started at the end of the previous video clip. and only Richter plays it like this.. and plays it right. :)

it feels like the piano just takes on its own character and starts to sing in this section, with all the other instruments coming along - in beautiful harmony indeed.

thx for posting this wonderful clip!

[gc65531941]

@michsmlo: You're welcome.

[musiccritic1910]

Oh, my God....the music for the God...all comment would only destroy the harmony

[ShipperS7]

That ending - holy shit. I'm speechless

[guanacadecorazon12]

Thank you for putting Sviatoslav Richter playing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, he is unique! What a genious!

[shenk0128]

what a powerful ending!

[thuztra]

Richter is Divine...

[laureanobruno]

This is the most wonderful piece ever composed, and Richter. Oh, Richter... he play this piece like god.

[christophleipzig]

Thanks for that information - I actually thought god IS playing here...

[LoneWolfX2]

@christophleipzig Eh? God doesnt attend piano lessons.. you know? Nope its a talented human being playing.. Definitely one of the best pianists in our history.. Due all credit to him, to bring to us this soulful masterpiece.. A maestro indeed..

[christophleipzig]

@LoneWolfX2 Do you take everything literally what people post?

[MenudoMC]

I love this piece its .... just undescrible beautiful =)

[nextren]

Where are parts 3 and 4?

They seem to have disappeared.

[gc65531941]

I haven't yet put them up - will do so in the next week; my apologies.