Sviatoslav Richter plays Liszt Concerto No. 2 in A major

[matheuspa42]

Very beautiful, but I still think that Liszt's 1st piano concerto is way better than the 2nd one.

[sparklnkitty]

I come youtube for my kid's piano practicing. So orchestra was not my territory.....I told piano teacher that I love Richter best then she mentioned this piece is amazing.

I am here now ....WOW this is not Disneyland, it's a Real European castle.

[Fredianel]

THE BEST RECORD!!!!!!!!!

[Gargantupimp]

Liszt didn't believe in alot of the preconceived forms of the time, thus he was one of the few brave soldiers who stormed the artistic front line towards untreaded grounds flowing with milk and honey, if only he knew he was doing it for 21st century lazy unartistic retards, he might of forsaken his composing life for extending his Playboy Rockstar Virtuoso Tour of Europe.

[piuotre]

Richter has so mutch power in his play

[Robotman42]

Enough. Time to practice this thing!

[gigge83]

oh come on... brendel is different than richter... brendel is very good but richter is the best....

[kajohada]

...well,liszt composed particularly in his early and middle period theatrically or sloppy,but sweet,no never.there is one musical expression called "dolce"sweet,but in the sense of tender.i dont mean the speed or playing fast but the i n t e r n a l power.even phrasing a line,mr.brendel doesnt secceed because of the various lacks as to technique and expression on the piano.he pretends doing so but its an illusion!playing liszt means to comprehend all those different sites of his character!

[kreutzo1]

Richter was a unique interpreter,but John Ogdon's version put me in absolute shock indeed.Nobody played liszt piano concerto n 2 like him.For those who love Liszt,it is a must.

[kajohada]

...and liszt music hasent deserve the description "sweetness".in certain parts his music seems sentimental or scobby but never sweet.the question thus is,what has a genuine american more to say about those things as such "bubbling brown sugar"remarks.its really a disaster with this country,everything must be "sweet" at once in a very kitschy way and such is this comment "composed"------>horrible

[kajohada]

*sloppy not scobby---->sorry :))

[Discerninator]

sweet correction ..... however, I think his tone in the slow part can be described as sweet, ie. round, glowing, with great care given to phrasing the line.... His lack of power as you percieve it, I think validates the notion that Brendel's idea's for the piece and Liszt in general are different than others, where 'power' and speed are the essence of Liszt. Brendel has long championed the notion that Liszt in certain of his masterpieces is much, much more than power for power's sake...

[costellopianist]

hey who do u think u r to judge liszt...

[Gargantupimp]

Hmmmm, Its sweet like the brown sugar mom used to put on the peach cobbler back in Tenesee, when I hear his playing I swaure I can still smell that Tenessee cobbler.

[Discerninator]

To both truecrypt and kajohada, Richter's take on the Liszt 2nd has long been regarded as the 'best'. Since my first hearing recordings of Liszt 2nd and Totentanz were of Brendel and Haitink, on Philips, coupled with the 1st, really, that's been the exemplar for me and a lot of people, I don't want to put your favorite down here, but I am constantly tired of hearing it refered to as the 'best', no way, not after hearing the Brendel, anybody with ears would have to admit that.

[truecrypt]

Sorry you are so tired to hear about Richter being the best in this concerto.

I'm afraid the majority "with ears" would not share your personal opinion.

[dsamogray]

@truecrypt my ears tell me this is the best.

[Cooller1993]

@truecrypt from russia with love!

[kajohada]

..even arraus slow approach to this concerto is better,brendel is no valid parameter for liszt because he he has no technique for him,that´s fact and especially as to sound criterios he completely fail and apart from that he has no power at all---->a wannabe virtuoso makes no true one.but obviously you have no ears to hear that,that´s too bad:(

[Discerninator]

I respect everybody's opinion about Richter's performance, I can even see a flaw or two in Brendel's, nobody's account is difinitive, but Brendel's, is a thinking mans performer and as such, he is endlessly intriguing, since you can sense the meeting of heart and mind in his playing, not matter what he plays, when applied to Liszt , you really have to listen carefully to pick up on it, too bad for you back at ya...

[truecrypt]

Everybody listens according to his/her musical abilities, experience, taste, etc. Where you might see (hear) the meeting of heart and mind somebody else may hear (or not) completely different "event". Enjoy Brendel's performance but it's not the reason to get tired of people who like Richter's interpretation more. If you have a valid criticism for Richter please do, but be prepared to defend your views adequately. Taking on great artists requires somewhat higher expertise.

[Discerninator]

Not quite sure what you mean by higher expertise, please, enlighten us with yours. I appreciate your views though and the fact that you at least enjoyed Brendel's take. I respect Richter's take also, it's good, but too my ears, Brendel's take is richer in sonority, power and sweetness. Listen to the sections of the final part(march) of this concerto, where Richter rushes,for whatever reason,Brendel instead guages tempo to better convey the overall sweep of piece,also, last7 notes,details.

[truecrypt]

"higher expertise" = better and deeper knowledge of the subject. I think it's useless to discuss performances as "takes", "overall sweep of peace", "power and sweetness", etc. Again, nobody prevents you from enjoying Brendel more, but your criticism of Richter: "anybody with ears would..." doesn't work. So, if you have something interesting to say, please do. Otherwise I don't see any reason to continue this useless exchange.

[Discerninator]

As long as you think your superior to everybody, your right, intelligent discourse is not an option, I know many people like you. I bet your sorry you ever used 'enjoy' and Brendel in the same sentence. But I did get you to admit that. Attack away, if you dare....and if I care...

[Discerninator]

I apologize for misinterpreting truecrypt's truly cryptic phrase "Enjoy Brendel's performance" , thinking he was referring to himself, he was referring to me of course, and I usually don't use phrases like 'anyone with ear's' that was kind of crude and mean, my humble apologies: Just listened to this, and See Brendel vs Richter, starting at ascending octave leaps about a page before end, it's and exact inverse of Brendels speed choices at that point. Hmmmmm.. interesting.

[kajohada]

that´s one of any certain critic doing by an american:"brendels take is richer in sonority,power and sweetness".completely wrong,in truth mr.brendel hasnt any adequate sound to play liszt and particularly the late one,the reasons are technical,and the power...well..i miss the strength in playing these romantic virtuoso-concertos,not powerful at all.the only fact being powerful is the austrian background of mr.brendel and so he has a certain skill of phrasing a musical line,but thats it....

[dsamogray]

@truecrypt One criticism that I have towards Brendel's performance is an ongoing sense of technical insecurity. To his credit, I must say that his search for great tone comes through in his performance and it's clear that we're hearing an artist of the highest caliber. However, if one is to perform this work, one cannot adjust to one's own technical shortcomings, one must work towards erasing those shortcomings so that the music itself is the priority.  That's my opinion.

[1Thompsonmusic]

@dsamogray

I don't think Brendel is interested in being a big virtuoso like Richter, but I don't care because his performance of this piece is imaginative, dramatic and exciting! But Richter is amazing.

[kajohada]

i dont agree with you at all!!

[RabidCh]

Hmm, ever listened to Cziffra's?

[Discerninator]

I will try to find his on these pages, as I've explored him somewhat a couple weeks ago on these pages, I came away being awestruck at his gargantuan technique and extemporization. He's in, not what I would call another league, but another category or dimension. I will definitely seek out his Liszt's second take. Thanks

[Discerninator]

Sorry, Brendel's video with Elijah Inbul on these pages, seriously disputes the claim that this is anything but an also ran, I'll give you the runs are pearly and (most) octaves are square, but the feeling, ah , that little thing called the feeling is lost with his rushing everything, and when he gets to end he inexplicalbly slows down..also note the staccato left hand notes at start of coda are nothing like Brendel's magical take and through conclusion

[truecrypt]

Dear Discerninator;

I'm not sure your points have any validity whatsoever. But you are totally entitled to enjoy Brendel.

P.S. Nice user name... wouldn't apply to this case though ;)

[kajohada]

LOLL------->such nonsense i ve never heard in my life.more exemplary than sviatoslav richter its not possible to play this concert.liszt is liszt,mr.terminator:((

[froog2k]

GREATEST !!!! YEA!!! Makes me wanna scream !!!

[chad410]

this is a favourite of mine. i feel like a god afterwards and crytears of joy at the glissani.

[dontclickonmyname]

Ofcourse there are no mistakes. This isn't a live a recording!

[truecrypt]

The recording session consisted only of one "take". Richter played it from the beginning to the end and that's it. No editing or any other "manipulations" were needed. It's as close to *live* performance as possible.

[parousia555]

Puts Horowitz and Rubenstein to shame. There are no tech mistakes, plays this as if he wrote it himself

[sagalat]

The Gold Standard