Sviatoslav Richter in Leipzig - Brahms Intermezzo op 118 6

[Hajnikovmuz]

I love the beginning of the middle section: so subtle, controlled, yet full of flair

[curlysue27]

The greatest pianist of all time.

[pihua60]

There is another recording, a studio recording made in Salzburg in 1972 along with Op 118 nr 1 and 3. Just as mesmerising, just a little more taught and without the error near the end of his Leipzig recording. Just extraordinary, takes you into another world. Richter was one of the few complete artists of the 20th century, a giant. His performances could be erratic, and sometimes failed to connect, but they were always interesting.

[PhedraBcn]

One of the best live recording ever. I have a copy of the CD and treasure it.

[dbharcadia2]

Such power housed in incredible tenderness. It felt like Brahms himself were at the keyboard!

[ihategopwithpassion]

can we put up videos of richter playing all the op.118? he is the greatest there ever was

[dalecampbl9]

this guy is the greatest interpreter of romantic music I have ever encountered...he's better than Horowitz and Rubenstein...he is last century's #1 pianist...I'm completely seriously about my high approvals for sviatoslav richter

[afertyus1000]

@dalecampbl9 yes i totally agree he was the master!

[usernameoccupato]

who cares?

[graiboon9898]

I play this

[PiaChess]

@graiboon9898 Oh, nice, when are you uploading??

[10velazquez]

The best! Superb!

[HolyMotherofGrid]

One word.... BREATH-TAKING!!!!!!!! Richter seldom disappoints and in this recording he stays the course and produces a stunning vision of - well i'm not sure exactly what but it surely is a thing of wonder.

[fredrickroll]

To answer msotil's question of a year ago: Artur Schnabel's words mean, "How infinitely sad is life" - which is certainly the meaning of this piece, especially in this absolutely insurpassible performance. See its date: it was doubtlessly meant as a farewell to John F. Kennedy.

[cip123a]

such a work of maturity and deep level of emotions in Brahms' compositions...and Great performance, amazing colors and contrast...10+/10!

[curlysue27]

art.

[suzettegm]

Great post, picture as well.

[maclover246]

im playing this for my audition in 5 days, im terrified, excited, and hope i can do the piece justice

[wagerfilmART]

Richter always has something intelligent to say.

[yourforte]

This man plays with such sensitivity.

[superbemaison]

A unique atmosphere created by this recital in Leipzig-don't hesitate in buying the full CD-RARE

[HANNIBAL1936]

Le interpretazioni di Richter hanno sempre qualcosa fuori dalla routine. Questa mi sembra stia alla pari con quella -- grandissima -- di Julios Katchen, che è tutto dire.

[gilriu]

Richter disait qu'il ne jouait pas les oeuvres dont il jugeait indépassable l'interprétation de ses collègues. Il n'a plus rejoué cette pièce. Enorme et intimidant. Une leçon.

[LanzaLover2]

Exquisite! Very moving.

[singmeanythingx]

....this is beautiful..

[StuBackbreaker26]

i hear this guy haunts everyones house

[kevasman]

This is one of the most beautiful performances of this piece I've ever heard - extraordinary control of sound and depth of feeling. Thanks so much for posting this amazing performance.

[Alexjr1543]

I love how mysterious this piece is at the beginning and end, and intense in the middle. Really does give the feeling that the world is being slowly swallowed by deadly mist (which I read from one of the comments, I'm so unoriginal). I just started practising this piece, and even with years of practice, I'll still never be as good as him, but I would love to at least be good at it.

[nbharakey]

It reminds me of some sad, disappointed and alone man thinking about suicide.

[msotil]

Very thoughtful but unnecessarily gloomy performance. Glenn Gould's is the interpretation that plumbs the depths of these pieces. Gould recorded 10 Brahms Intermezzi, including this one, in 1960 for Columbia. He recorded more of Brahms short piano pieces (Ballades and Rhapsodies) some 22 years later.

[soami2u]

Words used by Artur Schnabel for the opening theme: "Wie ist denn das Leben so unendlich traurig"

[msotil]

Thanks for pointing that out, but what is "Wie ist denn das Leben so unendlich traurig(?)"

[msotil]

Sorry that I bother replying to a jerk.

[SamuelFeinberg]

Is there any reason to be so rude? I am talking about the both of you (even though I can understand that msotil is upset about being arrogantly lectured). As to Gould, well, one need not love everything he did. But to assert that everything he did but Bach was weird does not show much knowledge nor willingness to accept other's point of views. Dear soami2u, check out his Scriabin, Prokofiev, Brahms (sic!).

Apart from that: Wonderful performance, Mr. Richter. I miss you.

[soami2u]

I don't believe I was so rude. Please read all my words. I did say "with respect"--and I think you took my words a little too seriously. Perhaps I was a bit flippant when I said "weird in about everything else", but after having been called a jerk, perhaps I should have been ruder. As for knowledge or accepting other views, I think I am guilty only of having a difference in taste from your own. You're entitled to your opinions as I am to mine. I have the old LP of Gould playing Brahms.

[soami2u]

SamuelFeinberg, check out Glenn Gould's Chopin and Mozart and you'll see what I mean by weird. I'll check out his Scriabin and Prokofiev in the meantime (though I doubt if they could be any match for Richter's Scriabin and Prokofiev!) Have a nice day! :)

[SamuelFeinberg]

I have to admit that I am certainly not a big fan of his Mozart. Nor his Appassionata.

But that was not my point. I was talking about the style of communication. This being said, it is, I think, time to end the little dispute and to return to the music (or rather the work that is waiting here ;-)... Thanks for drawing my attention to Gould's Chopin. knowing that he actually abhorred Chopin, I had not been aware of him playing this composer. Will be funny, I am sure.

[SamuelFeinberg]

And have a good one!

[SamuelFeinberg]

What you are saying towards the end of your reply is exactly my point - as there are not only different tastes, but also various valid approaches to interpreting a piece, there is no need to use words like "I think you should have your head examined". Do you really think that the little addition of "with respect" makes it polite and respectful? Reminds me, btw, of a notorious incident with the former German Secretary of State Fischer. He once said to the president of the parliament:

[SamuelFeinberg]

"Mit Verlaub, Herr Präsident, Sie sind ein A****loch!" (With due respect, Mr. President, you are an a**hole")

(Sorry, Slava ;-)

[soami2u]

Sorry--with respect!--but I don't think "you should have your head examined" is quite the equivalent of Herr Fischer's suggestion.

[SamuelFeinberg]

Hahaha. I agree. But it's funnier ;-)

And now, we should stop it. The post is about Richter after all. Good night.

[soami2u]

Correct. Not about lectures on styles of communication or musical taste. Good night.

[mandyschulz]

...to 3:20

[mandyschulz]

from 3:08 - .... wonderfull

[Minoru73]

0.0 Richter was excellent when he makes a tone and nuance in his playing.. I love those dark and despair atmosphere..

[soami2u]

Superb! Never have I heard it played like this! Everything beautifully judged--Richter hears everything that is going on in the music...and makes 4 pages have the power and eloquence of 400!! Absolutely treasurable!!

[maalga2008]

totaly agree ....

We miss yu "Maestro" !!!

[kajohada]

very impressive how richter hits the dark atmosphere of this intermezzo!

[chiefthegreat]

Well tuned piano

[Schizm512]

This only comes second to Glenn Goulds recording. Simply because i like Goulds maestoso better *shrug*

[AngelinaTaylor]

this is the greatest interpretation i've heard!

[chad410]

the world is being engu;fed by a beautiful but deadly mist