Sviatoslav Richter would have been 105
mainIt’s his birthday today.
He was a survivor who still survives:
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Indeed I remember that date every year.
His music is deply stuck in my mind.
Discovering new items is a gem.
Listening frequently to his recordings is a sunshine in my daily life.
Sviatoslav Richter once said: “The interpreter is really an executant, carrying out the composer’s intentions to the letter. He doesn’t add anything that isn’t already in the work. If he is talented, he allows us to glimpse the truth of the work that is in itself a thing of genius and that is reflected in him. He shouldn’t dominate the music, but should dissolve into it.”
Yes, he was a survivor, and he will always survive simply by showing us, through his numerous recordings, the truth of the music he so artlessly played.
If he really said that, he often violated his own credo most viciously. Unfortunately, “artlessly” was frequently the primary feature of his playing.
Buon compleanno, Maestro di tutti maestri!
I had a ticket to hear him many years ago. Then he cancelled….
He’s dead for heavens sake !! give this worship of the
dead a rest.
What a nasty comment.Do you act similarly towards Einstein,Beethoven…or many other “DEADS”?
Wonderful, wonderful pianist. If you’re struggling to find things to do while we’re all on lockdown, listen to his recordings, and try to watch the documentary Bruno Monsaingeon did with Richter.
One of the real greats !!!
Thank you for remembering!
Again, a wonderful uplift to my day. I don’t think there is any other performing musician who exerted a more profound influence on my own musical development; he was a Colossus, and his spirit lives on to inspire the generation unable to hear and see him in a live situation.
You can approach his talent by listening to his numerous live recordings you know..Example:the Leipzig 1963…or the Sofia 1958 recital.Two Cds 3TO BE TAKEN ON AN ISLAND”
Richter was a giant. In my opinion, he functioned on a completely different plane from almost every other performer I am familiar with. I had the tremendous privilege of seeing him live 4 times, and I remember every moment of each recital.
I saw him twice…unforgettable
1975:Hammerklavier
192:Beethoven OP 110 and Scriabine..
Wonderful gift ! Thank you!
It was sensitive yet powerful. It took me away from this madness.
I too remember his birthday every year…i was lucky enough to see him live about 25 times from 1975 to 1992…i just feel bad that i did not go to more concerts of his when i could have done!…he really was the philosopher of the piano…i think Gould describes his playing and musicianship perfectly…i had a ticket to hear him play Davidsbundlertanze at the Salle Pleyel in Paris but he cancelled due to illness…i dont think he ever recorded that piece or programmed it anywhere else…i just wonder what he could have done with it…such a loss!…i will cherish his memory to my very grave
It’s absolutely magnificent that great artists like these have the sensibility to share their talent with us. Thank you very much! You have brought much joy into our life.