Sviatoslav Richter plays Szymanowski Second Sonata, Op. 21

Part I
First Movement - Allegro Assai
Live recording, 1954

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sviatoslav
• richter
• Szymanowski
• Second
• Sonata
• piano
• classical

[4785689]

HI! i have the recording of the 3rd sonata, live in paris 1982

[truecrypt]

@4785689

There is nothing in the official Richter's discography regarding Szymanowski's 3rd sonata...

Richter played 2nd sonata in 1982 in Budapest though. Anyway, if you really have such recording, it would be of great value!

[scryabin]

This is fantastic! Thank you truecrypt for posting this. Szymanowski has so often been played by mediocre pianists giving the composer a "lesser" status, like Liszt, a totally unjustafied position in the annals of composition. Richter, the piano god with the musical midas touch, has put Symanowski on his best pedestal. THANK YOU for sharing!!! This is an awesome performance!!!

[berlinzerberus]

i had the opportunity to hear richter with this second sonata by szymanowski live in concert in 1985,second half.he also played variations 'über ein ungarisches thema' and the second sonata by brahms op.2,first half.

tremendous,i remember the enormous expression particularly in szymanowski and the huge 'waves' of sound.i still have the music in my ears and i was deeply impressed of such convincing mastership,richter,ya..what a great great artist he was!!!

[564steph]

was this recording sped up a fraction because the CD version of this piece has this movement listed at 8:30 or so, not 7:30?

[564steph]

Actually, the first time I heard it I felt the same way. I think it's because there'es very little change in texture in the piece: it almost always has triplets in the left hand over octaves in the right. But it's such musical, passionate music: it's really the apex or culmination of the romantic movement, I think.

[devitry67]

I had to listen again and again this movement. I didn´t enjoy the first time except for Richter´s wonderful playing. The thematic group initated at 5:18 has an almost Berg quality (remember Berg´s op. 1).

[564steph]

Fantastic!  A great sonata played very, very well.

[tnikkane]

This is a rel gem : )

[weikko79]

Whoa! Thanks for this! Never thought that I would actually get to hear Richter's performance of this great sonata. And the classic 1954 at that! Just one question: where on earth did you get this?