RICHTER IN THE 1950’S – VOLUME 3 (2 CDS)

Volume 3 (PACD96005/6) was recorded at Moscow recitals in 1954 and 1958. None has ever been published before on CD or LP.
The 1958 material included some major discoveries. Most of it is made up of pieces from Liszts Annes de Plrinage, only one of which exists in any other Richter recording. It also offers the offers the only live performance published of Richter playing Beethovens famous Pathtique Sonata. The 1954 recital includes mostly works of Ravel, including the published Richter performance of Le Gibet from Gaspard de la Nuit , the only selection of that suite he ever palyed. Two more of the Ravel works, Pavanne pour une infant dfunte and Jeux deau , are the only Richter performances yet published on CD. The disc concludes with three pieces by Rachmaninov and one by Prokofiev.

CD 1
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
(1-5) from Annes de Pelegrinage: 36:58
1) Vallee dObermann (I,6)* 13:50
2) Au bord dun source (I,4)* 3:08
3) La sposalizio (II,l)* 8:41
4) Aux cyprs de la Villa deste (III,2) 6:22
5) Sonnetto 123 del Petrarca (II,6)* 7:04
(6-8) Veneda a Napoli (II, Suppl. 1-3)* 16:33
6) Gondoliera 5:02
7) Canzona 2:40
8) Tarantella 8:41
Ludwig van Beethoven (1710-1827)
(9-11)Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, op. 13 (Pathtique)# 18:08
9) Allegro molto e con brio 7:45
10)Adagio cantabile 5:30
11)Rondo: Allegro 4:43

CD1 Total Time 73:28
(Recorded in Moscow, April, 1958)

CD 2
Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)
(1-3) Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, op. 49 24:34
1) Allegro feroce 10:52
2) Andante con moto 7:31
3) Rondo: Presto 5:51
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)
4) Pavane pour une infante defunte 7:04
5) Gaspard de la Nuit, No. 2: Le Gibet* 6:10
6) Jeux deau 4:41
7) Valses nobles et sentimentales 14:04
8) Miroirs, No. 4: Alborado del gracioso 5:57

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
9) tude tableau in E flat, op. 33, no. 6 1:33
10)Prelude in C Minor, op. 23, no. 7 2:27
11)Prelude in B flat minor, op. 32, no. 2 3:16

Sergel Prokofiev (1891-1953)
12)Gavotte from Cinderella op. 95, no. 2 2:27

CD 2 Total Time 71:54
(Recorded in Moscow, December, 1954)

* only Richter performance
# only Richter live performance

May/June 1997
The sound on these discs is not great, and there is a fair amount of audience noise, but neither problem is so bad that it interferes seriously with our appreciation. They are essential for Richter fans, fascinating for those interested in following the development of a great artist, and very rewarding for everyone else who loves to hear beautiful music superbly played. – American Record Guide