BEETHOVEN / Sviatoslav Richter – The Lost Tapes

Sviatoslav Richter – The Lost Tapes.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Sonatas Nos. 18, 27, 28 & 31

Label: Deutsche Grammophon – 4795554
Europe Released: May 30, 2025
0028947955542

Piano Sonata No. 18 In E Flat Major “The Hunt” Op. 31/3

1 Allegro 8:59
2 Scherzo, Allegretto Vivace 4:33
3 Menuetto. Moderato E Grazioso – Trio 4:24
4 Presto Con Fuoco 4:00

Piano Sonata No. 27 In E Minor Op. 90

5 Mit Lebhaftigkeit Und Durchaus Mit Empfindung Und Ausdruck 5:28
6 Nicht Zu Geschwind Und Sehr Singbar Vorgetragen 6:34

Piano Sonata No. 28 In A Minor Op. 101

7 Etwas Lebhaft Und Mit Der Innigsten Empfindung. Allegretto Ma Non Troppo 4:11
8 Lebhaft, Marschmäßig. Vivace Alla Marcia 5:20
9 Langsam Und Sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio Ma Non Troppo, Con Affetto 2:41
10 Geschwind, Doch Nicht Zu Sehr Und Mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro 6:21

Piano Sonata No. 31 In A Flat Major Op. 110

11 Moderato Cantabile Molto Espressivo 6:16
12 Allegro Molto 2:33
13 Adagio Ma Non Troppo 3:46
14 Fuga. Allegro Ma Non Troppo 7:20

Recorded Live Lucerne 2 September 1965 (Nos. 18, 27 & 28); 29 June 1965 (No.31)

Like many other artists, Richter felt that he could play more freely and give better performances in the concert hall rather than in the studio. These tremendous recordings reveal the pianist at the height of his powers. Indeed, they evoke Van Cliburn’s comment: ‘That is the most powerful piano playing I have ever heard’. Richter’s interpretations of Beethoven are phenomenal. The performances of the ‘Sonatas Nos. 18, 27, 28 and 31’ show a strikingly modern approach that never shies away from taking risks to express the music in its furthest extreme. Pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja, a confidante of Richter, was enthusiastic about the artistic freedom, technical brilliance and love of the music conveyed in these recordings.