Richter plays Schumann - Faschingsschwank aus Wien

[cpycpa]

Everyone says that he is a legend but he always plays everything way too fast. He would be amazing if he didn't play that fast. That makes me think of the worlds fastest rollercoaster(Im on it).

[Kanimfortaas]

II. A lyrical and somewhat heroic theme, triumphant and melancholic at the same time (maybe referring to the opposed personalities of Florestan and Eusebius), orbited by oscillating triplets forwarding the action and the struggle of the aimless soul. And Richter retains the "Sturm und Drang" temper, restless and almost ecstatic - it sounds and urges as if this world becomes too tight for the deepness and the strength of the musical idea.

[Kanimfortaas]

I. Particularly these first 44 bars (the Intermezzo) rank among the most inspired and passionate composing in Romantic piano music. One of my favourite pieces of one of my favourite composers played by my preferred pianistic idol. Richter once again manages to make the instrument sing, tell and herald, to eloquently convey another tale of the ineffable. And the musical message couldn't be more noble and appealing: Here Schumann gives you an essential idea of what Romantic music is about.

[SpyVi]

weather we like it or not, richter's playing is so distinct, no matter where I listen him playing this, I would always know who it was playing. And hell, he manages the voices so damn well-if you have tried to play any of the pieces in faschingsschwank aus wien you know.

[YSFmemories]

The difference between great classical music played by a master like Richter and modern music played/sung by mediocre "musicians" (Note: I'm not saying all modern music is crap, just a good majority of it):

Music like that might be catchy for a few days, then you forget about it when the fad is over.

Music like this will stay, and the more you listen to it, the more you appreciate and enjoy it.

[zdevol7]

Provedení S.Richtěra je zatím snad nejlepší, které jsem měla možnost slyšet!!!

[zdevol7]

Fantastické, až mi jde mráz po těle !! Není nad S. Richtěra - mohla bych to poslouchat stále .

[shadowwar88]

Thats what I love about classical music: He plays the melody notes in the right hand quite harsh, but that adds a new kind of energy to the piece, it becomes more agressive and spicy! Diffrent player - totally diffrent piece sometimes! :)

[Allanfearn]

If this is Moscow, it's probably 10 October 1976. He didn't play the Faschingsschwank in 1975, but it was part of his 1976 touring repertory, and by October he'd taken it round most of Europe. There's a famous broadcast (and very badly recorded) Liszt recital from the 1950s in which he plays with this sort of spontaneity and dash.

[chrish12345]

Schumann is the most passionate composer

[bratupir]

I expected much more enthuziastic aplause from the russians. the performance is absolutely magnificent. A standard for many yars to come

[999799979]

Richter is amazing.

[cuoredicanna]

Che meraviglia questo intermezzo, grandissimo Richter

[musicsdarkangel]

haha Richter, that finale, woah dude.

Yeah, I'm performing this soon for the conclusion of a recital. That last movement is a pain in my .......

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

year?

[ClassicalMusicFTW10]

Richter's performance on this piece was fantastic. However, I believe he does need to take the tempo down a little bit.

[suvinawong]

i love the way he played the intermezzo it's my idea of the perfect interpretation... jut enough rubato- not too much, great contrast between the melodies and perfect speed!!!

[musicsdarkangel]

@suvinawong give Lugansky's a listen... it's on youtube

I've heard none more lyrical. Of course, Richter's intensity is unmached.

[brunoparis12]

...pas du tout convaincu....

[ChopRachma]

c'est toujours difficile d'être con vaincu.....

[brunoparis12]

...assez nul de votre part

[cespitogo]

i love this piece among the whole of Fasschingswank....very memorable and remarkable playing during my graduation recital. wish i could play it again with the same intensity as before. :-)

[eunicelaw2007]

nice!!!

[jenstainthenight]

ahh, I love this song with a burning passion *__* XD

[PIanoReview]

This type of playing is largely missing today - big, bold, and passionate. Those familiar with most of Richter's live Schumann performances will not be surprised when the pianist chooses to light up the stage. It can also be found at times in the Schumann Fantasy and the Fantasiestucke, so nothing earth shattering here. But, how intense!

[sagalat]

@PIanoReview: On re-listening, I'm amazed at Richter's RESTRAINT! He doesn't pound those huge BASS octaves until the very end. I think Vorreber and Ashkenazy hit 'em harder. But, Richter's (and Ashkenazy's) are the more elegant performances

[chrish12345]

wow I love that first one

[musictaylor87]

amazing, although learning this piece put my right hand out of action for months!

[Drummsticer]

oh yeah ..i couldnt play octaves on the piano for days after playing this piece to intense x_X

[frederickfrederikfre]

Fantastic Richter

[gloriapertutti]

La meraviglia di questo brano

[billyguns2]

Strangely aggressive Schumann from Richter; listen to de Larrocha for a more poetic approach. I'm not sure which is "right," as both offer completely different takes on this gorgeous music!

[hansmeyer111]

To billyguns2 :

you have to see "the theater" in Richter´s approach.

Sometimes you can really "see" what he means, like a magic 3-d image. A poetical approach is every time very easy for the listener to enjoy, but Richter´s interpretations are always close to an opera work, you here him playing and you can see his vision.

[kempff95]

incredible!!

[obstfredi]

wonderful intermezzo

[galapz]

This just might be one of his best ever recorded live performances.

[galshalev]

One of the most touching performances of Richter - reaches for the sky, touches the heart

[nleytman]

The best!

[ilovescarlatti]

Dear music's frieds,i love very much this piece and Richter too... But i prefer Michelangeli, which performance is at the top. Clear, dramatic, perfect... you may hear each note. It seems 4 hands area playing instead of two. The maximum ..Ins't it? Please help me to understand better as i'm not a musician..Whishes from Italy

[galapz]

If you are not a musician you should not compare. It does not get beter much more than this.

[ilovescarlatti]

IL brano finale però,nei tempi veloci,non mi piace molto e mi sembra realizzato con un po'di affanno.Aggiungo che delle decine di interpretazioni che conosco quella di Michelangeli(forse il sommo dei sommi?)è sublime ed è quella che preferisco:scivola via con tempo più veloce ma le note le senti tutte,chiare e perfette e nella misura che lui vuole.sembra di sentir suonare 4 mani... Non amo graduatorie, e quindi parlo solo di divesità e preferenze. Qualcuno può aiutarmi a capire?

[ilovescarlatti]

Cari amici della musica.Sapete cos'altro mi piace di questo divino pianista? il suo rapporto con la musica che mi sembra lui viva in modo drammatico, un pò allucinato, aggressivo,quasi che volesse esprimere una sorta di rabbia o impotenza di fronte al mistero della creatività e degli abissi dell'arte. Non sono musicista e magari dico schiocchezze..

[frederickfrederikfre]

Bravo richter,bravissimo.

Personalmente preferisco Michelangeli,cheriesce a trasmettere lo Spirito e la Passione che qui non sento.

[vladimirgligoric]

Miracle! This man really is enigma.

[freedomofopinion01]

I recommend S. Richter´s version of Schumann´s 54 opus.

[iruiz]

Wonderful performance. This is one of my favorite pieces.

[ilovescarlatti]

Divine Richter!!! . Benedetti Michelangeli make a fantastic, fantastic, performance!!!!!!!!! I have heard a dozen of interpretations but the ABM is absolutely the best ever heard.... on my opinion ... Don't you agree dear fierds ???

[givemetime123]

Merveilleux 6*, à l'instar d'Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli cette version du Carnaval est remarquable, du Grand Schumann,

Merci pour cette vidéo.

[suzettegm]

Apart from the "lyrical" qualities of Prokofiev and Shostakovich I think few will disagree that Richter was at his best if not unsurpassed (try to listen to anyone else playing Prokofievs sixt sonata)with these composers. Maybe Ravel and Scriabin should be added.I like the buoyancy in this piece. One does not have to agree with everything a player does in order to be taken by the performance.

[chrish12345]

@suzettegm The buoyancy is Schumann's, Richter just lets it speak as always.

[artie6666]

The intermezzo was decent. Very nice voicing. He plays the finale like he's sight-reading from Gradus ad Parnassum.

[smithsherman]

Richter is very enjoyable with Chopin but very spotty with Schumann.

[SWBMD]

These last two movements of the "Fasching" are brilliantly rendered by Richter. His transcendental technique is on display. Wow!

[aisrmc]

I think a little more respect wouldn't do you any harm 'smithsherman'. I believe that Richter, one of the most revered pianists of the century, comprehends and expresses Schumann, perhaps the composer most associated with him, more than you will ever comprehend or express anything in your life. I have nothing against having different opinions, but arrogant and disrespectful ignorance is unforgivable when dealing with a genius like Richter.

[smithsherman]

The way Richter disrespects how pianists of Schumann's era played this...makes me disregard his playing of it.Like incurs Like.

Richter only seems like a genius 2 U because Ur mind is lost in automotive forward momentum.Ur whole idea of music is Mechanical.

[aisrmc]

A genius, my friend is 1)somebody who had virtually the ENTIRE piano literature in his fingers and head, who could sight read anything at the piano and could learn even the most fiendishly difficult pieces in a couple of days. 2) An artist who has works dedicated to him and/or given to him to premiere by fellow geniuses such as Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

[aisrmc]

3) An artist who fellow colleagues are in awe of. I assume Glenn Gould, a genius, knew what he was talking about when he called Richter "one of the greatest communicators the world of music has produced in our time."

Don't overestimate your knowledge of the piano, and of music in general. A little humility and respect is all I ask.

[marcelmombeekeigen]

is some one who had virtually the entire piano literatue in his fingers a genius????? in my opinion it's just some one who can sight reading very well. Prokovieff and shostakovich they have dedicated pieces to richter, that's true, but... you can not say that these people where great lyrical musicians... this recording of the last but one part of schumann is a shame, I can only say one thing: he is a butcher

[aisrmc]

Thank God he has no need of your opinion then. Prokofiev and Shostakovich could compose as lyrically as anybody - somebody with a more comprehensive knowledge of their work would notice that. As far as the genius matter is concerned, you need a certain amount of brain power, technique, and musical understanding to master virtually the entire piano repertoire. Somebody who can "sight reading" very well would have more challenges to face than you might think.

[cliburnfan]

FYI both Prokofieff and Shostakovich were great *lyrical* composers. Listen and learn more before calling Richter a "butcher". You don't even have a clue about subject you're talking about.

[nietzschemasterclass]

Dear Shmithsherman:

On behalf of most of us, and with all my respect, we all know what you think about the great Richter.

You won't change our minds in that sense, try to THINK! and please go to your "nobody knows & who cares" forgotten pianists and find there what you are looking for. It's obviuos you won't find it here.

You remind me a pianist called John Bell Young, a looney critizicing everything here due he could not make it as an interpreter a mediocre just like you.

[nietzschemasterclass]

As I expressed in some other comments, shmithsherman has this kind of " Salieri's Syndrome".

We have a person with lots of fury in his mind because he could not reach a high level as a musician or interpreter, therefore he critizes everything he can't do or play. Then he tries to convence all of us that there are some other forgotten pianists that can play better than Richter for example.

In other terms he is a loser but he won't accept it.

[cliburnfan]

Well said! Thank you "aisrmc"!

[smithsherman]

RealRussians gets it right when he talks of Richter "sailing his ebony craft through the tumultuous seas of Schumann." Richter just "sails right through" without comprehending or expressing anything deeper than intense forward motion. If I wanted that,I would turn to Autoracing on TV,not Schumann.

[sagalat]

Reluctant as I am even to SEEM to agree with our most beloved bête-noir El-Smithsherman-Pascha (and nobody loves Richter more than I), you should hear the Faschingsswank performed by Ashkenazy and Arrau.

[pincheruso]

Recommend to everybody to hear the version of Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli.Incomparable!

[sanjosemike]

I'm pleased that even Richter was "willing" to allow some "loose" (read slightly unclear) octaves in the left hand in the first movement. This is not to imply deficiencies in the great artist's technique. I heard a very musical performance of a work he enjoys playing. As a person who also plays this work, let me tell you all...it's a hell of a lot of work!

sanjosemike

[jltylty]

I hv played dis 4 my grade 8 last yr n is still playing for my 'o's.. is not easy.. with all de control of tone, MAGNIFICENT leaps and tempo.. it started PERFECT at de beginning but as it goes along starts sounding a bit too angsty with de over emphasizing of melody.. but it is really quite well done... another valuable recording for my reference!

[kreutzo1]

I agree with the one who said he overaccents the melody,however schumann is allowed to be interpreted in many different ways.I prefer Richter in Brahms and Liszt.

[RealRussiansOnly]

The great Richter sailing his ebony craft at full speed through the treaturous seas of Schumann.

[chad410]

there are few pianists who can play Scumann well and Richter is one who can.i guess somewhere inside of him he relates to the psyche

[afertyus1000]

oral is pertaining to the spoken word[as opposed to written]aural as correctly said pertains to 'hearing' i love this part but richter i think overaccents the melody,i love his pianism though

[smithsherman]

This kind of performance is like having an Arte Deco

skyscraper builder work on restoring the decorative details of a palace for Katherine the Great.

He strips out whole dimensions of the piece in order to "objectify" it.

[chrish12345]

lol the first one starts off like Brahms' song 'mien lieb ist grun' - this coincidental?

[nikolaimedtner]

incredible....thanks for posting!

[goldberg72]

assolutamente fantastico

[the56789]

The intermezzo was on the 05-06 grade 8 syllabus as a list C piece. Do you think Richter could have passed grade 8? If he played like that he'd get 27/30 for this piece. I've heard he's a good sight reader so I'll allow him 18/21 there lol. He didn't practise scales often so 16/21. Aural - big ears so 15/18. Bout 130/150 so he might not have got distinction on a bad day. Good going though!

[rule914]

It's spelled "oral", not "aural". And please, please, please never again post a video of you playing without your shirt on.

[the56789]

It is spelled "aural" & not "oral". Aural - of or pertaining to the ear or to the sense of hearing. It's a listening test, not a singing test. It amuses me when somebody goes out of their way to correct what they think is a mistake when it is their correction that is a mistake and what they believe they're correcting is perfectly correct. When you're making a correction it's a basic idea to check you know what you're on about. I'd never, ever do something that stupid. Learn from your mistake.: )

[rule914]

It amuses me that you wrote such a sophomoric paragraph to bask in the glory of actually being right. Yes, I'm willing to admit I made a mistake, but you've already made a much bigger mistake. Go watch your video again.

[rule914]

Ah, no point in getting in a flame war over something so silly. Have a good day.

[GTD13447]

Rule914.... No one cares about associated board...they are crap....and also the examiners are crap too, mostly rejected musicians

[rule914]

I think you meant to direct you post towards the56789, and I think he was mostly joking.

[GTD13447]

Fair enough, i just get annoyed when people compare stuff to associated board. I know a man who compares food to grade 8 distinctions >.<

[maul316]

all of you are fucking stupid

[sagalat]

Point taken, Maul, and yet...How do YOU, an unevolved preverbal sub-cretin australopithecus, manage the GALL to attempt communication with us HUMANS?

[Firesale92]

lol and u are a fucking n00b.

Shut up if you dont have a clue what it is to play sth. like this "OPFA" -.- so plz dont comment anymore. wenn dein asthmatisches Spatzenhirn solche leistungen nicht verkraftet dann fick dir ins knie und dann ist gut :)

MFg

[donchevmeister]

Again and again...and after once again!!!

[Bolter2006]

My mum can play this ...

[superandyboy]

With this incredible interpretation there must be no doubt he was one of ther greatest pianist from past century and further more, the current pianists have not the personality like him required to captive the audiences like he did. That is a hugh difference, don't you think?

[derwundenlabsal]

I approve of that

[lyhpcl]

Indeed, Richter was one of the giants of 20th century pianism. And arguably the greatest Schumann interpreter as well. Just listen to his Schumann piano concerto and you'll know what I mean.

[TreblRebl]

Incredible, music reserved for the masters, written by a masterful man

[gymnopedist]

the video says "Moscow,1975". Sorry i can't get more specific than that.

[busoniliszt]

Thanks.

[richterfreak]

The recording date is actually October 10, 1976. Moscow is the correct venue.

[DimebagCake]

LOL

and agaaain

[superandyboy]

Gymnopedist, I have this work recorded alive by Richter in 1963 at the Royal Festival in London. Do you know if there is a CD with this 1976 performance? I don' like the sound of that 1963 recording. Please comment...

[mltube]

I am not Gymnopedist, but this performance was available in CD format on 3 labels: M&A, Russian Revelation, and Nippon Crown. I am certain that the first two are no longer in print, but not sure about the Japanese one.

[superandyboy]

Thanks mltube, I am sorry for the email's name confusion...

[superbemaison]

@gymnopedist Recital was on 16 october 1976 in Moscow.

[andibonnington]

@gymnopedist

Do you know if this version was recorded? I've looked at it but haven't found it yet. I have the one made at Royal Hall, in London back in 1963 but the sound is not good enough. This is far better in my opinion.

[busoniliszt]

When and where was this recording made?

[freddyrabbitfoot]

Great! Best pianist & best composer for piano.

An den letzten vier Reihen des Intermezzos muss man soviel üben wie am ganzen Stück ...

[pianist007]

Mu favorate part in the whole piece