Sviatoslav Richter plays Chopin Scherzo no. 3, Op. 39

[marcelinaczartoryska]

So good you would think it was Yuja. But Yuja had not done her scherzos yet...

[TheStefanNestor]

wow.To me this one is right next to Rachmaninov's in expressive power.

[BassicStorm]

whata mind blowing pianissimos!

[Jeenias]

Yeesh, so tantalizing.

[ultracoolhomies]

1:30 so goddamn magical. Absolutely beautiful.

[Classicfan94]

@ultracoolhomies yea man its so f***** genial

[scelsi1837]

@ultracoolhomies We heard the same. This very moment is a pure miracle of music. It sounds like a second piano is echoing from some nearby mountains.

[nicolaiiibo]

When I listen to Richter, I always see a man grabbing bunches of crystal grapes from the vine. LOL. I just love him. His music is so full of passion it uplifts me.

[loboris1995]

@fourmi1060 What do you think about rachmaninov version?

[andreaprodan]

Richter was HOT. His vein jutting. His band members (warts and all) stand by. It was no Steinway, just a rather ordinary GASSBURGER.

Konrad Adenauer invited us all back to his place for a Schnapps.

But not after Chopin. Not me.

[pipeorganloverNJP]

It's a good rendition of the piece, especially the D-flat major sections, but I would have preferred the octave sections played a bit quicker.

[terrygowork]

Rcihter gave light to this composition

[mathpianist93]

arguably the most powerful rendition here on YT.

though Richter is not at his most 'imposing' character here, the darkness of the minor sections (e.g. 0:45) is very brooding. he makes the interposing sections simply sparkle

[AvidHobbyist]

@mathpianist93 Could you give a listen my favorite: Idil Biret's recording? I have it uploaded.

[pyroprince78]

@AvidHobbyist thanks for uploading it! I just listened. She does many interesting things in the beginning--unexpected things I've not heard before. The coda, however... some strange hiccups here and there. I prefer her scherzo #1. Thanks again!

[paradoxicus]

Entiendo perfectamente lo que quiere transmitir Astronomo 16.

Ya puestos,que podemos decir de Maria Joao Pires.

[superbemaison]

To see him play the last 3 minutes of that scherzo op39 on an old documentary is "not-to-be-forgotten" ..

[superbemaison]

This is my favourite scherzo.

A pity the live Carnegie Hall version from 1965 is never mentioned!!!

[astronomo16]

Si escuchando a Richter prefiero la interpretación de Argerich, entonces definitivamente la de Argerich es la mejor interpretación que pueda oírse de esta obra, y además de verdad

[Robotman42]

I agree with the part about growing up, but can I not say so much as "I don't like the way he plays the octaves"? They sounded too separated to me, one octave at a time (as opposed to Pogorelich, who makes them sound more as one line)

[truecrypt]

Of course you can say whatever you want...

On other hand one should consider what he/she says and how... Phrases like "interpretation is interesting" and "It's not bad" coming from a piano student sound ridiculous. As for "octaves", let's get back to this subject in 5-10 years. You will likely change your mind by then.

[Robotman42]

Alright, I accept your condition of "let's return to the matter in 5-10 years". Maybe you would be so kind as to explain why you find my phrases so ridiculous? No sarcasm, I am curious.

[truecrypt]

Your initial comment sounds like "tired and wise professional" is criticizing a "mediocre student".

The reality is quite opposite... That's what makes it ridiculous.

[Robotman42]

What if I simply said "I don't like the octaves"?

[truecrypt]

It would sound less ridiculous, but nevertheless...

[Robotman42]

Then it is ridiculous for me to say that Richter's interpretation is interesting?  Methinks the complaint about the octaves far more likely to be ridiculous.

[truecrypt]

Dear Robotman42,

If Walter Gieseking or Arturo B. Michelangeli would say "Richter's interpretation is interesting", it would sound more-less appropriate.

When you say the same it sounds disparaging and ridiculous.

[Robotman42]

Ok, I think I finally understand where you're coming from

[wildejag]

Go Gieseking. My favorite book; by Karl Leimer. The shortest way to pianistic perfection.

[4785689]

@truecrypt right

[th3wing3dpaint3r]

@Robotman42 Richter fanatics will only be satisfied with "AWESOME" or "THE BEST". Even if he clearly ruins a piece (I don't think he ruined the scherzo btw :D).

So next time just go with the most positive thing you can think of and everyone'll think you're a lovable genius.

The coda was "THE BEST". Pogo's no-pedal approach was also very interesting. It gives a completely different meaning than Richter or Argerich's.

[prunyi]

@Robotman42 who is Ivo Pogorelich? (speaking about Richter)

[Robotman42]

This interpretation is interesting and I wouldn't say it's a bad one, but I don't like the way he plays the octaves.

[dennisgrapes]

Slightly lugubrious tempo, but what spacious thunder. This interpretation is every bit as valid as Van Cliburn's, whose I prefer. The latter plays from even further within. Richter obviously loves the material. What beautiful music.

[glantz91]

I never imagined that Richter, who plays the op25 n12 etude

in his way, could play this Scherzo so truly wonderful, with

love and inspiration! And he is the only one on YouTube

whose chorale is speaking! Thank you for the post.

[neversroad]

WOOO!! Awesome coda!!! So clean. The slower tempo is interesting...it changes the color completely. I like it. thanks for the post.

[arminasspqr]

I would say the best interpretation of Scherzo op.39 is of Martha Argerich.

[Liebromeistal]

Argerich is a child compared to Richter.

[Sinfoniette]

Why such an harsh statement to Argerich?

[rva25]

Hi, u know, I've heard Richter alive in this Scherzo... it was something incredible... no comparison with this! btw, I heard another Argerich"s version{ from Warsaw, 1965}- much, much better too.

[Liebromeistal]

Because Argerich is more concerned with her own technique and virtuosity than actually being faithful to the composer.

[Sinfoniette]

Its not nessecarily a bad thing. Besides, I don't think she is unfaithful to the score.

[Musicman180]

That is completely untrue.

[arminasspqr]

Richter is very good, his technique is brilliant, but I found Argerich much more temptating as her interpretation and feeling of Chopin's spirit I prefer more.

[AvidHobbyist]

Her interpretation is actually quite bland, in my honest opinion.

[glantz91]

The most blank is Pletnev's,

then is Argerich's,

the best ones are for me Pogorelich's however

the lack of pedal and etc, and Richter is the most inspired

from all these so I like him the most. Let's hear Rachmaninov's now, and see! (:

[miykeey]

Pity this is NOT A VIDEO!

[miykeey]

This is a very good performance. The tempo is correct in the sense of these works. Some pianists play it TOO FAST!

Great performance!

[hellomate639]

A small change in tempo makes such an insane difference in the effect of the music....

[Pischnaholic]

Immaculate! Flawless!

I like the deliberate tempo of the first theme (mostly because I could play it at that speed, I suppose), but despite the overall excellence and total lack of anything mannered, quirky, incompetent or offensive, the impact here is just a little dull.

Heresy to say that, I know, but I honestly like Truecrypt's live performance much better.

Rubinstein, of course, set the standard for this work, even though many younger artists have produced more pilish and control.

[Tdgonline]

What a dynamic and powerful performance! And yet, somehow reserved. Makes you want to go back and listen to it again.

[alexggable]

You know something guys?

The difference between truecrypt and many other pianists which post offensive comments here, is that truecrypt is humble person and never ever has referred to other pianist with rude or disgusting comments.

I've read lots of comments from marcelmmombek and other colleagues and trust me I know what I'm talking about.

That makes truecrypt a great performer and person and deserves great respect for that simple reason

[aewanko300]

Totally agreed.

Humility is kind of a lost art, especially in terms of music-making. There is nothing wrong with being proud of one's self, but this should never border or cross in to the domain of being rude to others.

BTW, I like this performance.

[framaulo]

That's incredible, that's a dream...

[stefthe80]

i have heard truecrypt's recordings in this scherzo and pictures from an exchibition,its all good but its missing the spark of genius followed by a great techniqhe. plz dont compare with richter or argerich , its just silly i think. truecrypt you are a good pianist , dont get me wrong

[AnnMarry19]

I do not like performance by Richter...

[AnnMarry19]

The best performanance I think:

1)Argerich

2)Truecrypt

3)Pogorelich

[MemyH567]

Pogorelich ?????????

Absolutely not!

[AnnMarry19]

Now I think that the best performance this scherzo -> Pogorelich (Chopin Piano competition)

[Brunildilla]

Absolutely, Pogorelich had one of the Best rendition Chopin Scherzo no. 3, Op. 39 and was in Chopin Piano Competition 1980, I invited to hear his wonderful and terrific rendition I would humbly say that is unbeatable

[minastronasse]

I hear you. Pogorelich should be jailed, he's a preposterous dork.

[Sinfoniette]

Just because he had a very different view of pieces does not mean he is a 'preposterous dork'. For example, no one has the crystal clear rhythm on the Schumann.

[metphmet]

I prefer Richter.

I find his left hand much more expressive.

Richter deserves more than one listening.

I don't like to hear the pianist in this piece and in general in Chopin.I want to hear only the music.

With Pogorelich, I hear the pianist trying to"do" something special ( with talent)

[ninadeering]

Truecrypt, agerich....No one captures the true spirit of the scherzo like he does, except maybe horowitz in scherzo no. 2

[snaaptaker]

I said it before, I'll say it again.

Truecrypt's is the best.

Better than Richter's.

Better than Argerich's.

PERIOD!!

[johnnydavis23]

If you truly believe so, so be it. But your subjective preference doesn't make one artist "better" than another. Period.

[dunamis22]

Sorry to inform you that you are greatly mistaken... while Truecrypt's a virtuoso and can flat out play better than many touring pianists, Rubinstein's performance (of this scherzo) stands alone... in fact Argerich's is slightly above Truecrypt's in my humble opinion.

[nightcr4wl3r91]

for me this interpretation of the third chopin scherzo is the best ive heard yet. Richter's performance is rather reflected by musicality than by technical virtuosity.

This is why the version seems so slow as youve heard the other interpretations before.

Other way round, if you had heard this one first, maybe the other versions would seem too fast for you.

[ibclappin]

i am a fan of Richter's performances of Chopin's scherzos, but the young Argerich's deliverance of this piece is far above and beyond any other attempt of presentation.

[RabidCh]

And you haven't listened to truecrypt's yet? Shame on you... :(  I highly recommend it.

[gerryrains]

That isn't musical taste. She plays the piece so quickly, 40 seconds faster than Richter, Pletnev, Pogorelich, et al, that her technique is quite impressive. The bad news is that she plays far more quickly than the score's timing. The music comes out for the others. Her record-setting pace, while technically impressive, turns Chopin's Scherzo No. 3 into Argerich's Scherzo. While it's interesting (and on YT) it's just not the same musical composition any more.

[timgor]

Yes, I agree with you. But imagine that all compositions it the world would be without any title. (only op.xxx and nothing more) Woul you comments be changed in this case? I want to say that title of opus can decrease the sence of the opus. I think any performer has a rights to modify it.

[hackerchris123456]

yeah........right, maybe it is just a little different from the type i am used to

[hackerchris123456]

Maybe master's understanding of music and thoughts can't be understood by ordinary people like me..........

i think the beginning is unacceptablly slow..

too elegant, too rhetorical for scherzos

[timgor]

Once upon, shostakovich composed his famous 7 simphony. There was a words for the simphony!!! (it was a song originally). But after that shostakovich decided to remoove the words because it would narrow sense of the opus.

[donghyun45]

He is one of my favorite pianists.

[volodya2]

i think this is the best recording of this

[aewanko300]

bravo

[nietzschemasterclass]

It's beautiful, no "joke".

Thank you dear Truecrypt for sharing these treasures to us.

[pedroprokofiev]

That's a very introspective and 'spiritual' performance.

Richter is amazing, always.

interesting to compare with Argerich's passionate and fiery rendition, both are fantastic.

[FMatt099]

I can't decide which one I like better. Argerich is great, too.

But you are right, Richter is more 'spiritual' (I like that term.

[pedroprokofiev]

I think they are different, not opposite, but complementary.

Listen to one or other depends on my humor :)

[gerryrains]

Although it's slower still, Pletnev's recording on YT which I think is from a rehearsal for his 2 CD set "Pletnev live at Carnegie Hall" is superb. He does take a few liberties with the original but somehow he makes it work fantastically well. I own the set and it's well worth the purchase price. It was recommended to me by a concert pianist and he certainly picked a winner for me.

[TopGearTopGear]

but the ending is cool :)

[smithsherman]

Other than The tuning is frightful for this piece...or that I can't find any "Scherzo" in it...it's fine...really fine...I think...