Sviatoslav Richter - Richter: The Authorised Recordings - Schubert (1994)

Richter was always a fan of Schubert's Piano music. He recorded over half of the Sonatas, the Wanderer Fantasie, some of the Impromptus and the Trout Piano Quintet to name a few works. Early in his career he would tear through impromptus, and play the Wander Fantasie with force and power. Fast forward much later at this point when these Sonatas were performed, and Richter was still playing some of the most difficult works in piano repertoire, such as Prokofiev Sonatas, Chopin Etudes and Liszt. In the case of these of composers its hard not to be inclined to be enjoy his earlier recordings more, but that is not the case here with Schubert.

Presented here are 3 of Schubert's Sonatas, No. 9, No. 15 and No. 18. Each of the sonatas are played slowly with intellect, controlled emotion and maturity. His opening Sonata No. 18 is methodical and simply beautiful and even at 27 minutes in length. His Relique Sonata (No. 15) interpretation is just as lovely. Fellow pianist Glenn Gould, who was not a fan of Schubert's music, appreciated the way Richter approached Schubert's last Sonata in regards to tempo. I can't help but think he would feel the same of these sonatas as well.

Overall this is one of my favorite Schubert's discs, and I enjoy listening to Richter's other Schubert interpretations as well. Schubert's music is not to be taken lightly and is not for beginning listeners to classical piano. The tempos that Richter plays these sonatas only exemplify this and likely this may detract even casual listeners. For the rest out there, take the time and listen to these beautiful interpretations and you won't be disappointed.