Sviatoslav Richter - The Lost Tapes

Beethoven: Sonatas Nos. 18, 27, 28 & 31

Deutsche Grammophon Catalogue No. 4795554


These are not comfortable, drawing-room interpretations. Richter approaches the Sonata No. 18 in E-flat with a strikingly modern sensibility, emphasizing its structural boldness and rhythmic complexity. The scherzo crackles with an almost electric energy, driven by Richter's unerring sense of pulse and his ability to make every accent feel inevitable yet surprising. In the Sonata No. 27 in E minor, he brings a searching intensity to its concentrated two-movement structure, revealing the work's underlying emotional turbulence with a clarity that borders on the unsettling.

But it is perhaps in the towering Sonata No. 31 in A-flat where Richter's artistry reaches its most profound expression. He demonstrates that rare combination of intellectual penetration and spontaneous musical instinct that marked him as unique among his contemporaries.

The technical execution throughout is beyond reproach but never feels merely virtuosic. Every passage, no matter how demanding, serves the larger musical argument. Richter's legendary ability to move seamlessly between different emotional worlds within a single movement is everywhere in evidence, as is his gift for making familiar music sound freshly minted.

The restoration work by Emil Berliner Studios deserves particular praise. Tonmeister Heinz Wildhagen's original recordings have been meticulously cleaned of pitch fluctuations and interference while preserving the immediacy and presence that make these performances so compelling. The sound is remarkably vivid for its vintage, capturing not just the power of Richter's play but also its extraordinary range of colour and nuance.

The accompanying materials enhance the release considerably. Elisabeth Leonskaja's insights into her mentor's artistry provide valuable context, while Jed Distler's essay and Markus Kettner's editorial notes offer both musical analysis and historical perspective. The inclusion of rare photographs, some previously unpublished, adds to the sense of historical significance.

These are performances that capture one of the greatest pianists in history at the absolute peak of his powers, interpreting some of the most challenging works in the repertoire with a combination of technical mastery and musical insight that remains unmatched. Essential listening for anyone serious about piano music.