Sviatoslav Richter plays Chopin Etudes

[Bluetooth6483]

Oh, we feel all we can!! I practised these etudes in 20 years, and I assure you: There's not much room for feeling!!

[bigkittysmile]

chopins etudes are great! scum? do you practice at least 5 hours a day 7 days a week? you don't and you'll never be as good as those "scum".

[dancingwithoutwords]

That's for me the attitude .... love you Righter

[advisorC101]

I just love how he makes it sound as if it were improvised on the spot.

[raulraulius]

Richter...

[chrism216]

pianists these days suck =( why cant there be another cziffra, another richter, horowitz, rubinstein... all legends from the past. and now we are stuck with scum like maksim...

[Ianthe22]

@chrism216 Plz don't generalize your pessimistic view of todays pianists. I'm sure there were also many bad pianist the time when Richter and cziffra played.

[lewars1912]

@chrism216 You're doing yourself no favours by referring to pianists as scum.

[chrism216]

@lewars1912

next to rubinstein ill be glad to call maksim scum.

im not saying we dont have good pianists. maybe i exaggerated a bit. but none are as impressive as the ones i mentioned.

of course there is kissin, yundi li, yuja wang, lisitsa, argerich, etc... but none as good as the great pianists from the 20th century.

[colourfulwithaU]

Richter is the BEST. His interpretation is the only one capable of moving me this way. I nearly cried.

[sbubuzzolo]

simply beautiful

[jordankuprij]

i just started learning chopin's etudes and am 3/4th my way through #1 op.10 and i must say this is my favorite version mainly because he sticks to the tempo...i mean..this may just be a personal opinion but i have always played etudes in strict tempo...especially ones where the tempo is given..(like 170-176 for this etude)

[argerichluvr]

@jordankuprij - Can't wait for you to make your Y.T. debut. :( ....Because of literalists like you, etudes get a bad wrap.

[AvidHobbyist]

One of the greatest recordings anyone has made for a piano.

[bobbphysics]

Compare this to Argerich's. Argerich's 1965 live performance is much more accurate in terms of the notes and employs much more contrast and touches.

[argerichluvr]

@bobbphysics - Finally someone with some sense.

[Ruimanuk]

Richter is my favourite pianist, but i believe Pollini is the Études best interpreter. Don't you agree with me, truecrypt? I believe it's because Poillini devoted a huge amount of time to the Études. Nevertheless, Richter's interpretation is also beautiful.

[truecrypt]

@Ruimanuk

There are many great recordings of etudes! yet, I think nobody has ever reached the ultimate goal - when technique doesn't exist and only music rules... :) Some pianists did in separate etudes, but probably nobody will ever be able to do it for all 24. Probably Chopin himself couldn't do it!

[eliyaguy]

@Ruimanuk about 20 years ago I heard Rubinstein in a concert for young people. He talked beautifully told us that we should better not look for the "best" Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin etc. interpretation, for there is not something like this in reality, but rather listen to what each of the great artists have to say about the piece, because great music has many facets etc. Unfortunately this attitude is not common, not in Youtube, and not in the general critical discourse

[eliyaguy]

@Ruimanuk about 20 years ago I heard Rubinstein in a concert for young people. He talked beautifully told us that we should better not look for the "best" Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin etc. interpretation, for there is no such thing, but rather listen to what each of the great artists have to say about the piece, because great music has many facets etc. Unfortunately this attitude is not common, not in Youtube, and not in the general critical discourse

[jimmylajungle]

Richter is The Greatest by far!

[lamuladeparenzola]

he is the best interpreter of Chopin, Bach and Beethoven and also Rachmaninoff and Prokofief

Ale 95

[analka1]

op 10 no 1 and 2 are both notoriously difficult, and he plays them both live....and brilliantly. His performance of op 10, no 2 shows why he was one of the greatest virtuosos who ever lived.

[mrstyxseth]

People, do yourself a favour and listen to Backhaus's Chopin etudes, op. 10 no. 1 & (especially) 2.... it is a 'must hear' if you're a Richter fan. Why? Hear for yourselves! Richter is at his best in Op. 10 no. 4.

[iguarni]

One of the best pianist ever!!!!

[CarlPetersson1981]

Why does everyone have to complain about one thing or an other - who played more wrong notes or clean - are you serious? What has wrong notes to do with the music - just listen and feel something, and what I mean is feel something in the soul and not envy.

[lewars1912]

CarlPetersson1981 >>>Well said.

[PathosDistanz]

@CarlPetersson1981 Indeed, indeed, and where is the ubergenius that even comes within ten kilometers of these people's hemispheres? The 'mistakes' or flaws of such masters are superior to the greatest achievements of all else. The only reason such flaws even stand out is because of the utter clarity and precision and limpidity of their playing.

[KhwanBarton]

@CarlPetersson1981 I agree - as Dale Carnegie said "Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do"

[ObscureAuteur]

@KhwanBarton Actually that is Benjamin Franklin.

[frank147h]

He's a genious of the piano...

[dennisgrapes]

He obviously loves the music. His hands are a controlled splash.

[stefthe80]

amazing performance, richter surprizes me every time with his great understanding of music

[Matteo7419]

Outstanding.

[Bognarfan]

Utterly beautiful! I love Richter.

[Pogouldiwitz]

Well, he must be a genius if he got Glenn Gould to appreciate Schubert D. 960. ;-)

[Liebromeistal]

Argerich plays the first etude with much more assurance am technique and with less wrong notes.

[truecrypt]

Martha Argerich is lucky to have such a defender!

It's a very "ungrateful" task to compare Argerich with Richter (and not only Argerich).

[Liebromeistal]

Have you even listened to her recording? What are your thoughts on it?

[truecrypt]

Not only listened but seen close and personal...

As I said, Argerich is a superb pianist! Yet... I wouldn't compare her with Richter, - she is a huge talent and he is a genius. They are in different categories - I'm sure Argerich herself would agree with me.

[Liebromeistal]

why isn't Argerich a genius?

[truecrypt]

You will find out in 100 years.

[chad410]

well she s not far off it ;)

[skakunchik]

@truecrypt Heh, I think it's obvious even now... 

[himitsunosallychan]

@Liebromeistal

Of course she is a genius, no less so than the great Richter.

[argerichluvr]

@Liebromeistal - because you are deaf.

[berlinzerberus]

...yes,there is a dark secret in richter which is really not explicable rationally.i think it´s his aura combined with an ingenious understanding in the art generally and music in particular,he seems also a natural wonder:

in a word---->richter, the enigma!

[gouloum2222]

@truecrypt lol how can you decide like "this one is a genius, that one has just talent " ....no offense but it doesn't mean anything.

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

First you spin my words and then you comment on your own interpretation of it. I don't play these games.

[gouloum2222]

@truecrypt how funny, i'm sorry but if you thought i would be that stupid... you delete your first comment to Liebromeistal where you said "argerich has a huge talent where as richter is a genius" . you know i am right. how hypocrite to say " i don't play these games" ..LOL

[RabidCh]

@gouloum2222

He didn't delete it moron. It's on page 5 of comments. YouTube selectively chooses what goes into "Uploader Comments" and truecrypt has little control over what goes into it.

[gouloum2222]

@RabidCh yeah i was maybe a moron on this point. but the result is the same, truecrypt certainly thought i wouldn't find his comment on the 5th page.

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

Actually you're wrong again! ;)

... not only on "this point"!

[gouloum2222]

@truecrypt ok :) so on what other point am i wrong ? i'm sorry but you actually said that argerich and richter were in different categories, and the point of my first comment was  "you're not god , you can not decide like that who's a genius and who's not" . in what was i wrong ?

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

Ok, wrong point No. 1 is your assumption that I hide or delete my comments.

Wrong point No. 2 is your impression that I "decide" who is genius and who is not... I expressed my strong opinion - not a decision - that Argerich is a huge talent but Richter is a genius - they belong to different categories. If you wish to argue, please do... but seems like you prefer to twist my words and comment on your own interpretation of what I said.

[gouloum2222]

@truecrypt you're totally right for wrong point n 1. :) but for wrong point n 2 , come on , you're obviously of bad faith ( does this expression exist in english? btw sorry for any english mistakes ) , this sentence shows it " They are in different categories - I'M SURE ARGERICH HERSELF WOULD AGREE WITH ME". strong opinion or decision, whatever its is, when said this way it almost looks like you have some kind of "talentmeter" .

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

Yes, I do have a "talentmeter" - lifetime experience and firsthand knowledge.

I'm also quite confident Martha Argerich shares my views on this subject.

[gouloum2222]

@truecrypt okay so lets take it differently.. what is for you the difference between a genius and a superb pianist ? concretly, in piano perfomances , what is the difference between those 2 "status "?

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

Genius "is associated with achievement of insight which has transformational power..."

As a simple example, just google for "sviatoslav richter chronology". This is *measurable* stuff. If you still will have questions after, I'll be happy to go on...

[gouloum2222]

 i didn't want to argue, i just wanted to understand your point of view. now i think i've understood it, even if i don't agree with you.

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

No, you are still wrong on all fronts... ;)

I didn't delete my comments, I don't mean disrespect toward Argerich by saying "she is a huge talent" (not "just a talent" as you tried to put it in my mouth), and yes, I still consider Richter a genius. So, no reason for LOLing...

[gouloum2222]

@truecrypt "she is a huge talent and he is a genius. They are in different categories" . i found it. gosh it's so embarrassing for you now.

[truecrypt]

@gouloum2222

Not at all...

[fc210665]

@truecrypt

definitely right. Just possibly Vladimir could be compared, because of their sensitivity ...

[Matteo7419]

Please...

[Liebromeistal]

listen to the her 1965 recording here that was played right before she won the 1960 chopin competition. It's on youtube.

[w3sp]

She won the 1965 comp too be exact :)

[morvensky]

I am not the greatest fan of op.10/1 but his playing is so powerful, energetic and moving.

his op.10/2 is so clean and fast I would think he is doing the right hand 1-2 instead of 4-5

I did not know it was possible to play as cantabile as he does in op.10/3

[mdeonx16]

This is the best interpretation of etude no. 1 i've ever heard. Shimmering like my tears did. 5/5

[dsamogray]

This is the GREATEST recording of these etudes I've EVER heard

[ClassicalH]

if only chopin was alive to listen to this

[JohnEBProductions]

He'd probably say it wasn't as good as Lizst.

Chopin heard many extremely talented people play his works, and while I agree this is a good interpretation, I don't think Chopin would appreciate being woken from the dead to listen to Richter.

[jasonextreme]

The power...

[aaabbbccc5]

In den Etüden nutz Chopin die gesamte breite der Claviatur aus und paart Viruosität mit musikalischer Tiefgründigkeit!

[iguarni]

a legendary pianist!!!!!!!!!!

[emy1968]

this is fantastic, a real way to play this etude in do+ he caught the soul of it...

[Angel94angel94]

Here it is God Richter.

[ariafarjadi]

fantastic.....full of diciplin. and colores

[kempff95]

HE PLAYS MUSIC!!!

THIS CHOPIN ETUDES THERE NO Exatly etudes their music

[UnwrittenPaul]

Wow! That doesn't make ANY sense! Congratulations you've got the WORST youtube comment. I don't even know if you like this or not.

[alexggable]

I got the point of kempff.

Altough Chopin etudes were written to improve your piano playing you find there extremely beautiful masterwork where makes them even more difficult to play.

The comment made sense to me, probably the way he tried to explain it was not appropriated though.

If you consider this comment as the worst one, it's clear to me you haven't read really bad comments around here...

[JakWho92]

lokopiano does such .... look at some lang lang videos (zb his tristesse)

[alexggable]

Yes I'm aware of that, I know the guy.

Another jealous mind who can't tolerate someone else's success.

I feel compassion for him and hope que can eliminate his delusions some day and shows some grasp of respect and humble before other colleagues.

[inazuma3gou]

I heard nothing like this before.... BRAVO!

[goldnuggetby]

AHAHA! he plays it better than both ashkenazy and pollinni!!!!!

[opus357]

Richter brings back the utter simplicity of music, strips it from false pretenses that come as a result of not understanding the music or trying to decorate it. His Etude #3!!!! Richter's playing is so all round, from intensity and explosive raw energy in #1 to complete gentleness and refinement of #3... Leaves me speechless and in awe. Love Richter, his honesty in music..

[aldebussy]

You're so cheesy.

Lovely performances. Very clean and to the point.

[opus357]

Cheesy? What could you mean by that?

[Grazpop]

@opus357 "Decorate" it. Such an apt term! Illustrates the concept of needless artifice perfectly.

[imrich6]

I miss Richter. ;(

[soami2u]

Absolutely wonderful!!!!! Nos. 1 & 2 are great...No. 3 (sometimes called, if you go by nicknames, "Tristesse") sings like I've never heard it sing before; the bravura middle section is positively miraculous!! I used to not think of Richter as one of the great Chopin pianists before--now I think he was one of the greatest of all!

[trschaefer]

Fire breathing virtuosity!!

[virtuoosne]

A real genius in pianism's history!!

[crazychopin]

Etude No.3 played best

[concerto35]

Richter rules.

[manfred861]

Well Richter does bring forth something new to the etudes. I'm not a big fan of Richter, however these etudes are good. Chopin's etudes are ingenious. They are technical yet melodic and full of ingenuity. Chopin was a Romantic and his music should be play with much rubato and cantabile, but the etudes should not! They should be very mechanical, but if you don't preform them that way then you must practice that way, because rubato is not a excuse for playing difficult sections slowly!!

[coldiris]

backhaus? technically good, but he played like a machine. not really to my liking. the best i've heard ever playing this etude is Nikita Magaloff.

[Sinfoniette]

Backhaus' Brahms and Beethoven was superb....you should hear it, if you didn't. You probably will change your mind. :)

[ilovescarlatti]

how can i say about the best interpreter of this etude... Pollini, Argerich,Richter, Askhenazy, Backhaus,Francois etc.... may be there is not the best.. all are great!!!

[mdoub]

i love how he doesn't run out of energy by the end of the etude, but quite the opposite

[victor6688]

speechless...

[iguarni]

A real genius in pianism's history!!!

[shivdas99]

Richter is an incredibly dedicated pianist, he managed to combine quite extraordinary dexterity and technical prowness with heartfelt emotion. He is by no means perfect. But i do especially love his etude op10 no 1, and the way he just bangs that left hand.

[oakroom48]

Sigh [#3] ... thanks for this!!

[goldie0800]

Fantastic, it takes my breath away! wow...

[curiousspectator]

The espressive qualities in first theme of no 3 is incredible. It would be interesting to know when this was recorded.

[truecrypt]

Prague, around 1958...

[alceste66]

che dire........++++++++++++

[kajohada]

..tremendous! :))

richter played some of the chopin etudes really formidable.

[paulostroff99]

Brilliant! Bravo! TY.

[levante83]

op.10 nr.1 c-dur - very good, but I still prefer Agerichs interpretation, this etüde needs more passion, wildness , it needs to be played by Martha Argerich:-)

Richter - the King!! Agerich - the Queen!!

[K189T]

this etude in my mind, doesn't need to be played with passion, but rather with grandeur, serenity, and nobility.

[aardvaark069]

Yes.You are so right about that. Try Earl Wild on his Chesky release of opus 10 and 25. He captures what you call for perfectly.

[deandusk]

and, of course, if you mind what they say: that chopin wanted a resemblance with bach's wtc, and that the first one, especially, is composed in a baroque style, then, maybe it needs serenity and nobility.

[K189T]

6 stars!

[pjioayncoe]

Do you have him playing the Ocean Etude?

[truecrypt]

You mean c-minor, op. 25?

yes, I have it...

[K189T]

Thanks!!! We love you Richter, We miss you! Wonderful playing, reliable, brave, powerful, and yet delicate, expressive and fluid: the consequences of a great technic and an out of the ordinary sensitivity. Bravissimo!

[musigattina]

Richter is SUPER!!!!!

[francorussie]

Well it seems A is not exactly the same weight or power.

[francorussie]

And still, I prefer Sviatoslav Richter and Pollini's "version" : more powerful, more singing and solid (Ashkenazy 's is sort of less powerful, really, but I am sure I would enjoy his more than many others)

[Lemonizm]

And rightly so. The one in a minor is sup[posed to make a huge contrast with the 1st one in C major...

[her0esfan]

This is so smooth. My favorite is still Ashkenazy's - there's a video on youtube - more forceful and gutsy and hits the C major's return very strongly, and projects a lot more which I think suits the piece too (in a concert setting)

[francorussie]

I LOVE it. In the Prelude, he is a genuine Slavic man's soul. It is SO delightfully Slavic, pure and true (unlike some mundane or nervous interpretations)

I listened to a very beautiful performance by Pollini (Etude op 10 n°1 I think), and though it is not identical, I am pretty sure great old Richter contribitued (like other great pianists) to the development of pianists' interpretations :-). I hope his powerful, exquisitely pure and sobering positive influence will continue.

[francorussie]

erratum

[francorussie]

sorry silly me I got mixed up with videos. Nevermind I like this one a lot, too.

[thunder1909]

I have the recording of Etude no.1. I just love it how all his arpeggios sound like one line. Many performers in this Etude struggle to do this, and you hear groups of 4s or 8s, because of the their hand turning over. You CANNOT hear that when Richter plays.

[cziffra1980]

In fairness to other pianists, Chopin did mark accents on the first semiquaver of every beat. Richter understates this somewhat, although I do like the approach.

[kwastormayt]

noone can play the faster parts more meaningfull

[cccpredarmy]

backhaus

[bineblies]

AGREED!