Piano Sonata No 31

The third release in Praga's Richter Edition, which features SACD remasters of classic recordings by the great Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter, focuses on solo works by Ludwig van Beethoven. Despite his large discography, Richter disliked the recording process, so most of his recordings (including this one) originate from live performances. The works recorded here, Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.31 and Diabelli Variations, connect in the inspiration and debt they owe to the music of JS Bach. Richter's extraordinary performances emphasize the Romantic intensity of both works.