1975 Recital

The Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter
(1915 1997) was one of the greatest
interpreters of the 20th century, along
with his compatriots Emil Gilels, David
Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich.
As Richard Osborne says of Richter's
playing in his booklet note, 'Bravura
technique matched to high intelligence
and a richly developed musical
imagination is a rare combination
of qualities in any instrumentalist.'
Richter made his debut in the West in 1960 with
Beethoven's Piano Sonata op.2 no.3 at a recital in
New York. Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier' Sonata was
one of the main features of Richter's programming
in the summer of 1975 in Prague, London and
Aldeburgh, the latter performed one week prior to
London and recorded on BBC Legends.
Richter's live recitals catch him at his very best
compared to the confines of the studio. The 1975
recital in London was considered a landmark, one
of the greatest that Richter gave in this country