Sviatoslav Richter plays Prokofiev Sonata No. 7 (1/2)

[fabriqueorange]

Most of pianists (Richter and Horowitz included} perform this movement extremely fast - no details, no phrasing, just speed. High speed is good for internet connections, but in this case, it destroys the real music.

[truecrypt]

@fabriqueorange

Generalizations usually don't apply to exceptional artists... like in this case...

[jlynem]

@fabriqueorange I dunno; he premiered it and was friends with the composer. I imagine he knew exactly how to play it.

You're missing the "real music" because you're attached to how you think it should sound.

[doroppulokkupoppu]

Whenever I think of Prokofiev I often think of Richter playing it LOL

[dbikeguy]

Ahh, I am mildly amused by it being in B-flat major. Who is to say whether this piece of music is major or minor? haha. Prokofiev never fails to deliver impressive works.

[baroque2]

This sonata is incredible

[725piano]

I'm afraid truecrypt is right here, Prokofiev premiered the 6th. Richter premiered the 7th. Gilels the 8th which was also dedicated to him. And the 9th was dedicated to Richter. However Richter didn't like this mainly because he didn't think it was as great a piece as the others.

[HDGamingReplays]

@725piano Richter said he loved the 9th "infinitely".

[cheradinine8]

@HDGamingReplays This is true... Richter loved the ninth, the only one officially dedicated to him...

[paulostroff99]

Fantastic! TY truecrypt for -posting this gem

[Gogolsuite]

As I said once on youtube, Richter plays Prokofiev better than the composer himself.

[HDGamingReplays]

Richter, immediately recognizable. Authoritative, confident, perfect understanding of Prokofiev. Thanks for this jewel.

[Robotman42]

I think I'll stick to his early sonatas...I'm not quite ready for this violence.

[loboris1995]

Superbe!!!!!

[dalecampbl7]

modern music is difficult to digest, but prokofiev is so amazing

[DeyMoond]

Awesome Sviatoslav... Superb music of Prokofiev.!!!

I haven´t words.!!!!

[youvebeensmoked]

4:00 -Yes!

[tuxdcat]

imo the best recording of this is Konrad Skolarski.

[frebasflav]

Truecrypt, where did you get this recording? Please, I'm in love with it

[jcastorina]

My favorite from Prokofiev. If anyone knows of anyone comparable works of his, please make suggestions. I admittedly haven't listened to enough of his work, but the few I've strayed to outside of this piece have not engaged me in the same way.

But that just might be because this piece is utterly fantastic....

[skryabyn]

6th sonata

[MvdM2]

Hi, I also love this one, but there is one quite similar which I also love- Its the 4th (last) movement of the 6th sonata, and you should defínetly listen Richters recording! :)

[FrancescoGuardi]

Did you ever hear the 8th Sonata? Maybe it doesn't beat the 7th - but the 7th can't beat the 8th :) ! The 8th is more difficult to hear and to understand, but contents much more informations, more like a symphonie. After years hearing the 8th I can always find new aspects yet. To me these two Sonatas are the main Prokofiev.

[morvensky]

Piano concerti 1, 2 and 3

piano sonatas

visions fugitives

etudes op,2

symphonies

kleinstucke op.10

I don't mean to spam :P great performance by the master.

[musicfanof]

@morvensky and piano concerto 5? op. 4 no. 4 is always good. and one cant forget the man's ballet works.

[morvensky]

@musicfanof I like the 5th concerto, but at the time I was not familiar with it. I have actually only heard some of the suites from his ballets, but not the ballets themselves.

[LetTheMusicFlow1]

his 2nd sonata is one of my favorites. have a listen!

[bcbdaggtrf75]

well, actually the 7th AND 9th Sonatas were dedicated to Richter, the 8th to Gilels. I'm studying Prokofiev for my big diploma, so I know a thing or two!

[truecrypt]

Richter premiered 7th sonata on January 18, 1943 in Moscow, but I'm not sure Prokofiev dedicated it to Richter (at least officially)...

9th sonata was dedicated to Richter.

[LetTheMusicFlow1]

Richter learned this in just 4 days in order to premier it! Interesting little tidbit there....

[Tzsil713]

@LetTheMusicFlow1 4 days... no response to that...

[BlazeKenny]

@LetTheMusicFlow1 he learned some prokofiev sonatas on the last day before concerts

[pedroborges78]

@bcbdaggtrf75 I think this sonata was not for Ritcher, it was for a Prokofiev's friend, who was a pianist... he died, and Prokofiev made this beautiful work!

[gwakjunsung]

@bcbdaggtrf75 8th was dedicated to Prokofiev's wife, Mira.

[punkpoetry]

@bcbdaggtrf75 then you should know that Prokofiev dedicated the 8th sonata to Mira Mendelssohn Prokofiev, and handed it to Gilels to premier it. best of luck with "big diploma"

[legopiano]

The fact is, prokofiev dedicated this piece to richter, interesting~

[truecrypt]

I don't remember exactly, but seems like only 9th sonata was officially dedicated to Richter.

It would be only fair to dedicate all war sonatas to him though...

[legopiano]

Thanks for reminding me, it should be 9th...

[gjeacocke]

There are just some pieces of music where no one can accentuate this sonata as well as Richter. It is phenomenal. He truly has moments of genius playing certain works.

[Sinfoniette]

Well, I am no music expert anyway. Heck, I'm (literally) a little kid. But my hatrid for Argerich comes from her Rachmaninoff 3, which I think Horowitz completely dominated it.

[gjeacocke]

I think some pieces of music there is a need to be passionate in the playing or else it will be bland. It is like the key ingriediant to a recipe. Every piece of music regardless of composers intention have a range where that music works best. The nature of rhythm and sound, far to complex to be controlled. Sound is not controlled in nature neither should it be in music.

[paulostroff99]

Nobody ever played Prokofiev like Richter. Bravo! TY.

[Sinfoniette]

As much as I dislike M. Argerich, I think her Prokofiev was great also.

[RabidCh]

Funny, I like Argerich but I don't think her Prokofiev was good. Not enough acridness and bite. I like my humor cynical :)

[chad410]

her Prokofiev 3 was mde for her. One needs such a clean technique and imagination. she has both.

[gjeacocke]

It is funny how certain pieces played by certain pianists never have the desired effector works as well even when it is the same composer.

[RabidCh]

Very awesome :)  Can't thank you enough really

[ifigeniakatika]

5*****