Sviatoslav Richter plays Chopin Scherzo no. 2 Op. 31

[newgeorge]

This is Richter on absolutely top form!

[137uc14]

Richter one of the greatest pianists ever...and he was almost self-taught...a sound unique and a skill outstanding...No one like him!

[kassianik1]

Wow! Richter is a genius in music interpretation!

[BJWoodcock]

too rushed.

[alterI4]

@truecrypt is there anywhere i can get this recording!!? it is my absolute favorite interpretation!

[xAnonymousss]

@alterI4 well it's kinda illegal, but i'll tell you anyways. go to google, type in mp3 to youtube converter, follow the instructions and you can download the audio tracks of any video on youtube....

[verbalkint33]

My being was just interrupted.



[meredith21846]

I have'nt always been enamoured by Richters Chopin, however this is a marvelous performance.

[heidilough]

"After playing Chopin, I feel as if I had been weeping over sins that I had never committed and mourning over tragedies that were not my own." - Oscar Wilde

[1234musicnote]

Ahhhh...... the beauty of Chopin's music... This is perfection!

[virginiamaes4th]

Ok, I`ve listened to what FEELS like hundreds of Pianists performing this Scherzo and THIS is the only one that doesn`t lose the "Chopin`ism". It isn`t overly rushed, it`s showy where it is intended to be showy, technically FANTASTIC, SO sensitive to colour and dynamics.....I was going to the kitchen to make another cup of coffee, but THIS stopped me in my tracks, from beginning to its conclusion!!! BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AgnesRegina]

Oh, Richter... the glory and awesomeness. I'm currently locked in a struggle with this Scherzo (learning for my senior recital) and the only question seems to be whether it'll kill me or make me stronger. This inspires me to work harder still. Thanks for uploading, truecrypyt.

[prettycatty2010]

Favolosooooooo

[ultracoolhomies]

;')

[juliancochran]

It is so remarkable how he can instantly change the colour and approach within a fraction of a second, then revert to yet another colour and approach.. Particularly around 6:38.. Usually you get more carried away as a performer and sort of 'stick' within a dynamic but the really great performers like Richter can in half a second change mood as if he has done a few seconds of overdub two weeks later after pondering a different colour..

[xxxxYangxxxx]

I love it(L)

[ethalamus]

no harmony, no emotion, no feeling, nothing...

[21tango12]

@ethalamus, you have the ears of a donkey then.

[ilovefkaus]

@ethalamus you serious? yo even if richter's worst day was your best day, he will still be s- h-i-tting your pitiful piano skills with one hand ok? who are you to say this to a world renowned pianist? you horowitz? you Yundi li?

[ciliaspippi]

@ethalamus

From Richter? You need help, my dear friend.

I am a bit of a Luddite, but I will say this anyway: Stop trolling.

[cfwpiano]

Wow... truly incredible and powerful. Richter was amazing :)

[mariogantois1]

Perfect! Magnific! Te best interpretation of this scherzo that I ever heard!

[orestanoelesquivel]

Really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jolythefreeman]

by him who died on cross!

[MartinAnziano]

Richter es excelente... Chopin es excelente!

[antoniocmteixeira]

Superb ! I consider S. Richter one of the greatest pianists of the XX century

[peterson1345]

This interpretation is great, it's powerful and inspiring. By the way, I think Richter looks a little like John Malkovich.

[truecrypt]

Yes!!! I always felt Malkovich would be the perfect match for Richter's role, if such movie would ever be made! Body language, face expression, even the way he talks...

[Pogouldiwitz]

Really? You said that Richter was a very kind and generous man. To me Malkovich is a brilliant actor, truly unique, but full of what I would call a "negative charm." He's someone that's fascinating to watch but I wouldn't go to have a beer with him, so to speak.

[truecrypt]

@Pogouldiwitz

I don't know about Malkovich character, but he definitely has some "magnetic" qualities. He may have completely different personality but I just feel he could play Richter like nobody else. You know - just a feeling... ;)

[Pogouldiwitz]

Definitely magnetic. I'd compare him to the Russian actor Viktor Sukhorukov.

[bourbakis]

@Pogouldiwitz

Malkovich got acting skill, but is creepy.

Richter has such a pure feel to him, their resemblance stops at the bald crown, IMO. 

[busashka]

@Pogouldiwitz

You think of having beer with Him? In any World you are, you are an idiot.

[Pogouldiwitz]

@busashka

Nincompoop, it's an expression. Go medicate yourself.

[MussoGorski]

@Pogouldiwitz I would say Malkovich would be great to play Steve Vai LOL!

[ika2312]

I thought of the same the day before, when wathing the movie "Disgrace" with Malkovich starring. Great movie by the way.

[essboarder23]

@truecrypt I just looked up malkovich.

I remember him from a film I watched (of mice and men).

And I must agree, there are striking similarities with him and Richter!!! scary even!

[scout6686]

def my fav interpretation. even better is getting the footage that shows him playing it (he's about middle aged)

[piuotre]

That's so impressive!!! Richter has a deep understanding of chopin and and gives an enjoyable, insightful interpretation.

[RodriguesMonique]

Impecável, perfeito,MARAVILHOSO!!!!!!

[superbemaison]

Wonderful studio recording but anyone having heard the live 1965 Carnegie Hall recital will prefer it.

[misskorea]

wow i usually dont like ritchers interpretations, but this recording is really good!

[7534696]

i dont believe that this is richter, must look for this piece in video by richter and its very different

[matheo58]

L'enchantement de Chopin.

[13PUR1LA]

Oh my god, I'm gonna kill myself after I listen completely this piece. I didn't know that Richter has such an enormous performance in Chopin, particularly in this piece. A divine interpretation!

[DiabloMercy]

ok.

[sfkcbf]

Very interesting how differently pianists interpret Chopin. Contrast this performance with that of Michelangeli.

[13PUR1LA]

Comparing Richter's performance to Michelangeli, I would much prefer Richter's interpretation. I know that both interpretations are perfect, but, the perfection of Richter is more likely for me in this piece.

[AnnMarry19]

the best performance!

RICHTER 4EVER!!!

[uglyduckling94]

Richter displays an incredible range of emotion in this performance, and effortlessly switches from one sentiment to another. He is great.

[Bacuason]

Fantastique ! sublime interprétation du scherzo n°2 de Chopin ! tres loin devant Yundi li ;hors sa virtuosité n'arrive pas a exprimer l'intensité et le lyrisme de cette pièce.

[InTheFray]

the best.

[music2777]

he is a totally master and artist.:)

[printcollage]

...........fantastico e..........grazie eddy

[napoleoneterzo]

Che MERAVIGLIA : RICHTER!!!!! ciao

[SilentViolins]

Deep, rich, and powerful.

Richter shows that his reputation is well deserved.

Truly a genius.

[Minoru73]

Richter makes the rubato perfectly!

[jorgelaguerenne]

I think Richter is a genius. It is not only a true master is also a Coloso...

his virtuosity, in our time has been lost, it's a shame

[K189T]

It's strange, it's not played in the same way as "Richter plays Chopin Scherzo" (01:42). As far I'm concerned, I prefer this version (09:49), more slowly, more controled.

[cisdolce]

it's because the vid version is an utter bullshit.

they played the vid faster.

This audio is brilliant tho.

[K189T]

Ah, it's only because of the recording?

[cisdolce]

yes looks like they fast forwarded.

the talking for some reason isn't rushed, but he looked like he was doing a robot dance on that vid.

that's not how he plays. He doesn't bend the text to that extent. We wouldn't know his name today if he did.

[ibclappin]

i'm a huge fan of Richter. Richter's performances of Chopin's scherzos are unmatched. i'm sorry to say that this performance is a little exaggerated. it's still good but it's far from being one of the best presentations of this remarkable piece.

[paulostroff99]

As good as any ever recorded!  Bravo! TY.

[blade42251]

richter plays this piece better than yundi li by FAR... his sound quality is just amazing. control. rhythm. mostly the fact that he kept a good rhythm unlike many others i saw previously.

thanks truecrypt for finally posting a richter recording. not too fast either...

[HelveteKeiser]

haha

[Starwalker6978]

You must have no ears to favor a mediocre for a master! Yundi Li plays no better than a "good" student of the average conservatory; perhaps he plays more sure, as he has a lot of experience, but that doesn't make a master, does it? Li is an example of contemporary commercialism, as Richter is from the epoch of Titans...

[Cancrizans]

And you have no idea what sarcasm is.

[mestreliszt]

hahahaahahaahhahahahah loool

[sokkaperri]

Yundi Li cant play the piano at all!

[PeRvYsAgEbOmB]

well hes better than you

[AsturiasGuitar]

I 100% agree with you.

[Janfissette]

Very beatyful, indeed nice interpretation...

[nburton85]

Just incredible.. The second subject with that tricky left hand, the way he keeps that constant all the way through is immense. Really is a dramatic performance - not too much though, just right.

[francorussie]

I find this one strange for Richter. It seems that I heard one of his that was much better (???)

[truecrypt]

There are several recordings - live in Moscow in 1950-53, Sofia or Prague - late 50s, well known recording of all 4 made in 70s. They are somewhat different, but the concept is very similar.

[francorussie]

Thanks. Do you know which is this one? Most often I loved Richter 's interpretations, I do not like the "breathing pauses" :-((( and, strangely, the "sound".

[truecrypt]

I think it's one of studio recordings, but not 70s. I have several CDs MP3 disks and time and place of recordings are not always clearly marked...

[DougtheAsian]

I have been waiting for someone to post this.

[aewanko300]

Rubinstein was right. When Richter plays the piano, it sounds like an another instrument. Very good interpretaion.

[willistara]

incomparable interpretation

[EilisErina]

excellent!