Sviatoslav Richter - Live at Carnegie Hall, October 23, 1960: All Prokofiev Program (2015) [HDTracks]

Review by Blair Sanderson:
A sturdy box set of 18 CDs in cardboard sleeves with original cover art, this 2015 Sony collection of Sviatoslav Richter's Columbia Masterworks and RCA Victor recordings is a valuable resource for admirers of the great Russian pianist. Prevented from leaving the Soviet Union in the 1950s, despite his growing international reputation, Richter finally came to the United States in 1960 for a marathon series of concerts. These recordings were drawn from his five dynamic performances at Carnegie Hall, a recital at the Mosque Theatre in Newark, and appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Erich Leinsdorf, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Charles Münch. Also included with these landmark performances are two studio albums Richter made for RCA, and a special 1988 live recording he made with Christoph Eschenbach and the Orchestra of the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. Because most of these recordings have only been issued as original vinyl pressings that have been unavailable for decades, this set is an essential item for collectors of Richter's rarities.

Tracklist:

Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953)

3 Pieces for Piano op. 59
1 No. 3 Sonatine Pastorale in C major - Moderato 5:09
2 No. 2 Paysage - Allegretto – Moderato – Allegretto 3:11
3 Pensée No. 3 op. 62/3 - Andante 6:33

Piano Sonata No. 6 op. 82
4 I Allegro moderato 8:31
5 II Allegretto 3:56
6 III Tempo di valzer lentissimo 6:50
7 IV Vivace 6:40

Piano Sonata No. 8 in B-flat major op. 84
1 I Andante dolce – Allegro moderato – Andante – Andante dolce, come prima – Allegro 16:16
2 II Andante sognando 3:50
3 III Vivace – Allegro ben marcato – Andantino – Vivace, come prima 9:38
Encore

Piano Sonata No. 8 in B-flat major op. 84
4 III Vivace – Allegro ben marcato – Andantino – Vivace, come prima 10:01

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Sviatoslav Richter - piano