Sviatoslav Richter plays Chopin Ballade No. 1, Op. 23

Chopin -- Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
Live recording, 1960

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sviatoslav
• richter
• chopin
• ballade
• piano
• classical

[Clavileo]

Hm... normally I like Richter's playing, but here he hurries a lot and the slavonic spirit of this genial composition cannot really be felt as much as it should be... Listen to Olga Scheps's recording of this, it takes 10 minutes instead of 8 3/4 but she suceeds in freeing sprit of the polish stiving for liberty for which this peace is often considered a symbol ;) Richter seems a bit as he wanted the concert to end soon :D

[truecrypt]

@Clavileo

Dear Clavileo, there is no need to to open a new account to promote Olga Scheps.

I wish her the best of luck in "freeing spirit of Polish striving for liberty"... quite a task! ;)

[guweck]

@Nealkohol

Perhaps a shot would be a little bit loud.

I´d prefer removing that person with a hook from the roof, pulling through the neck and then leave him hanging as an example for the others to be quiet.

[Bret6464]

As much as I love Richter particularly when he was older, on the Ballade No. 1 it will always be Gilels, then Horowitz :-))

[2pacAmazesSuperman]

@thejesusfreak919 probably did

[govance0000]

I absolutely love this interpretation... though it's a bit fast, you can really FEEL what he's playing. in every part i can imagine those emotions that he felt while playing.... that's the whole point, isn't it?

[MrPlasticSmile]

a pianist die everytime you post an opinion. just shut up and listen.

[cantorandopera]

@Clavileo If one version is 10 min long and another 8 - the slow places can be played way slower and the fast places way faster in the shorter version, perhaps making the performance more dramatic. Who looks at the amount of time one artist gives to a piece parsing seconds???? Is this where artistry is measured? As far as a live performance goes - this is glorious. Who are we to judge him against Horowitz, Rubenstein or anyone else? Don't judge - bask in their greatness.

[Kanierd]

"The Pianist"

[CaradhrasAiguo49]

@AgerMusica: ironic considering Richter was HIGHLY perfectionist

[humbher3]

today people coughing meanwhile Lisitsa or Kissing playing, and nothing occurs.. these years people coughing with great pianists of their times like today we all do .. that richter version sounds perfect .. little faster but really magic! .... just comparable with '66 horowitz version..

[hellboyreloaded]

@musiccritic1910 I can't help but laugh when i see read some comments saying that "Richter's technique is not so elaborated" OH GOD! And they say that because he made a few mistakes!Those people saying Richter's technique is "not as good as horowitz's or Asheknazy's" clearly don't know anything about the REAL technique; for them, the technique is gained when playing scales, or some czerny excercises. They don't know the real meaning of technique. I agree with you in all the things you mentioned.

[TheKLSmooth14]

@Clavileo I argree, if rushed the piece doesn't carry the same weight as it should.