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Even if the listener has to accept tiny compromises in recording and sound quality, the recording of a concert in Sofia in 1958 rewards with great musical moments that once again prove how unrivalled Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997) was as an interpreter. Among others, a perfect Schubert and a sensitively illuminated Liszt, despite all virtuoso brilliance, can be heard.
“made at public concerts, and involves applause between items, and some occasional coughs. The microphone picks up piano action noise, and the tone is not ideally free. BUT none of these faults mask for a moment the art of Richter, who, I am inclined to suspect, is the greatest interpreter of music (piano or otherwise) in the world” “Schubert he plays simply, lyrically, with perfectly judged articulation and rhythm … Liszt: Valse oubliée: begins with a gentle, very affectionate, whimsical rubato that lifts, but never disturbs, the rhythm; and then suddenly away he goes with the repeated-note theme and you jump out of your skin at the precision and strength and musical control … warm bass harmonies like the relaxing sun on a Mediterranean beach and the final recitative fades away with almost intolerable pathos. The second Valse oubliée merges into the muffled clatter of a barrel-organ (-a genius made it, and another is turning the handle). … Transcendental studies: superior performances will only be heard in heaven. In Feux follets, an ethereal sensibility unmatched in my experience.” (Gramophone)
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