Sviatoslav Richter's first North American tour in 1960 solidified his international standing as one of the 20th century's most exciting, provocative and original Russian pianists. His Carnegie Hall debut consisted of five sold-out recitals within twelve days in October, with two recitals added in December. The complete recordings from these concerts - previously only available in two separate editions Sviatoslav Richter - The Complete Album Collection and Great Moments at Carnegie Hall - are gathered together for the first time in one collection of thirteen CDs in a slipcase box including a booklet with archival photos and a new essay by Carnegie Hall archivist Gino Francesconi; The October 1960 recitals originally appeared on mono LPs in the United States (Columbia Masterworks) and Japan (Sony). They did not last long in the catalog, however, and became highly sought-after collectors items. By contrast, RCAs complete stereo master tapes from the December 23rd and 26th concerts came to light after Richters death in 1997. The recordings reveal the unusual breadth of the pianists enormous repertoire, including such Richter benchmarks as the Prokofiev Sixth and Eighth Sonatas, Schumanns C Major Fantasie, Rachmanimov Preludes, Beethoven Sonatas, Scriabins Fifth Sonata, plus works by Haydn, Schumann and Debussy. The 1960 Carnegie Hall series not only captures Richter in his prime, but also preserves his daring, unfettered artistry in its most honest, authentic manifestation, exactly as his audiences experienced him: live and unedited, and without a net.
Beethoven:
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3
Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1
Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26 'March Funebre'
Piano Sonata No. 22 in F major, Op. 54
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata'
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10 No. 3
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2 No. 3
Piano Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 'Tempest'
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 'Appassionata'
Chopin:
Étude Op. 10 No. 1 in C major
Étude Op. 10 No. 12 in C minor ‘Revolutionary'
Étude Op. 10 No. 3 in E major 'Tristesse'
Mazurka No. 15 in C major, Op. 24 No. 2
Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54
Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54
Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47
Debussy:
Suite Bergamasque
Reflets dans l'eau (No. 1 from Images pour piano - Book 1)
Hommage à Rameau (No. 2 from Images pour piano - Book 1)
Mouvement (No. 3 from Images pour piano - Book 1)
L'isle joyeuse
Préludes - Book 1: No. 3, Le vent dans la plaine
Préludes - Book 1: No. 5, Les collines d'Anacapri
Cloches à travers les feuilles (No. 1 from Images pour piano - Book 2)
Haydn:
Piano Sonata No. 60 in C major, Hob.XVI:50
Piano Sonata No. 60 in C major, Hob.XVI:50
Prokofiev:
Sonatine Pastorale, Op. 59, No. 3
Landscape, Op. 59 No. 2
Pensées Op. 62, No. 3
Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82
Piano Sonata No. 8 in B flat major, Op. 84
Gavotta, Op. 95 No. 2
Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 3
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 4
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 5
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 6
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 8
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 9
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 11
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 14
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 15
Visions fugitives, Op. 22, No. 18
Rachmaninov:
Prelude Op. 23 No. 1 in F sharp minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 9 in A major
Prelude Op. 32 No. 10 in B minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 in G sharp minor
Prelude Op. 23 No. 8 in A flat minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 1 in C major
Prelude Op. 32 No. 2 in B flat minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 6 in F minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 7 in F major
Prelude Op. 23 No. 2 in B flat major
Prelude Op. 23 No. 4 in D major
Prelude Op. 23 No. 5 in G minor
Prelude Op. 23 No. 7 in C minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 in G sharp minor
Prelude Op. 23 No. 1 in F sharp minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 9 in A major
Prelude Op. 32 No. 10 in B minor
Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 in G sharp minor
Ravel:
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Jeux d'eau
Oiseaux tristes (Miroirs No. 2)
Jeux d'eau
La Vallee des Cloches (Miroirs No. 5)
Schubert:
Impromptu in A flat major, D899 No. 4
Schumann:
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12 No. 2 'Aufschwung'
Novelette, Op. 21 No. 1 in F major
Novelette, Op. 21 No. 2 in D major
Novelette, Op. 21 No. 8 in F sharp minor
Novelette, Op. 21 No. 1 in F major
Novelette, Op. 21 No. 2 in D major
Novelette, Op. 21 No. 8 in F sharp minor
Fantasie in C major, Op. 17
Scriabin:
Piano Sonata No. 5 in F sharp major, Op. 53
