Beethoven's Piano Sonatas Nos. 9 & 10 (Opus 14, nos. 1 and 2)
Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy, D. 760
Schumann's "Abegg" Variations, Op. 1 and "Carnival Jest from Vienna", Op. 26
Chopin's Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 10/4

Sviatoslav Richter, piano
Recorded in London, 1963
Released October 2003
BBC Legends 4126 [79:45]

The Stage - Royal Festival Hall, Richter's first London Recordings.

Performances - Exceptional with a "Carnival Jest" that bests the Richter
EMI recording.

Sound Quality - Recessed and Murky.

Recommendation - Although sound is problematic, this is one of the
essential Richter recordings on the market.  A legend is captured at the
height of his powers, and the "Carnival Jest" is a riveting interpretation
of slashing rhythms and impetuosity.  I wouldn't have thought it possible
that Richter could improve upon his EMI version from Italy 1962, but the
proof is in the listening.

Don Satz
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