Richter: The 1958 Sofia Recital

Richter: The 1958 Sofia Recital
Phillips (50 Series)
Mid-price
Svaitoslav Richter, Piano
(Live Recording)

Whatever the buzzing noise in the background, it certainly isn't an air filter; the hacking in this recording is almost chronic. The recording itself surely could have been made to sound better, or at least, we can hope so. Joking aside, the sonic quality is appalling, and no critic seems to be very happy about the remastering. I don't really care, because this is some very impressive music making.

Phillips could have been forgiven for adding "Legendary" to this disc's title. They didn't, and I approve, but the playing on this disc is tremendously moving and awe inspiring. Pictures at an Exhibition is marred by the coughing and buzzing, but musically it's incredible. To make this piece work on the piano, each piece needs character and the work needs a clear sense of direction. Not only does Richter provide these qualities, but he's less quirky than Horowitz in this work and serves the music better. Both pianists are graced with miserable sound in all of their readings of the work, so on that end there's no real advantages.

The short pieces are no less remarkable and show a master pianist at the height of his powers. The Liszt items are stunning for both conception and execution. The Schubert and Chopin selections are so intense that they don't quite sound like either composer, and that's either fascinating or obnoxious depending on your viewpoint. At any rate, not even an amateur like me can deny the purely pianistic excellence of this disc, but the sonic limitations are strong enough that I would discourage new collectors.