Sviatoslav Richter in Prague, 1965 - Ravel Miroirs

[@lm9091]

This without the shadow of a doubt one the most pure, sincere and transcendental piano recordings of all time

[@ewajasinska8017]

Espectacular! Toda la esencia de S.Richter- infinita gama de sonoridades sorprendentes, fuerza, dulzura, potencia y fragilidad!!! Gracias

[@lucas__machado]

If I had to keep only one recording, it could be this one. This is absolutely inhuman. The quality of the piece is absolutely unbelievable and so is Richter's playing.... Out of this world, the finest of finest. My absolute favorite pianist with Dinu Lipatti and Samson François

[@Florestan1207]

Incroyable ! Quelle maîtrise et quelle intelligence artistique ! ”Une barque sur l’océan” flotte sur les vagues cosmiques de l’existence même.

[@kirinlager49]

It must have been the most mesmerising concert in a beautiful city. Richter's playing of Miriors sparkles.

[@nicreveles]

1965! That was the year I heard him here in my home town, San Diego, CA. He played "Une barque sur l'ocean" and "Alborada del gracioso". I'll never forget the spellbinding web he created with just those two pieces. And there was so much more!! Thanks for posting!

[@jamesnickoloff6692]

I didn't realize that Richter had travelled to California. Do you know anything about other places he played?

[@ЛюдмилаГорячкина-о8к]

Как хорошо, что есть записи можно послушать это волшебство исполнения. Спасибо.

[@Jamesphilipjfry]

@@jamesnickoloff6692 right??? I'm currently living in san diego, this is fascinating shit!

[@davidlowenkron1812]

@@jamesnickoloff6692 Pasadena 1965. Liszt Sonata 1st half, 4 Chopin Scherzi 2nd half. Encores included Ravel. I remember that recital to this day!

[@jamesnickoloff6692]

@@davidlowenkron1812 Wow! So you were there in Pasadena in 1965? I lived nearby (Sierra Madre) but knew nothing about Richter at that point. I would love to hear more of your memories of that day.

[@cityboy63]

This really is piano playing of utterly stunning quality! Happily for us the recording quality is superb. What a pianist Richter was and what piano music this is particularly when played like this. Magnificent!!

[@davidofpiano423]

This is absolutely some of the most inhuman piano playing on record. I've never heard the opening of Noctuelles sound so crisp and yet fluid at the same time.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

"Complexity for its own sake" is my take on this. JUST TOTALLY ABSTRACT...

[@katt_matt]

It's live performance

[@smartti1970]

@@CLASSICALFAN100 If you like Ravel, try listening only the 4th part -Alborada del gracioso, the orchestrated version Ravel did 1919... listen to this version: Maurice Ravel - Alborada del gracioso (Orchestre de Paris, Mikko Franck) if not Maurice Ravel: «Daphnis et Chloé». 2ème Suite, Simon Rattle ....

[@Poeme340]

I feel I’m hearing this masterpiece for the first time-seemingly effortless dynamism! I’m astounded at the genius of composer and the interpreter-wow!👍👍

[@pelegrino791]

Whenever he played in Prague, it was a miracle ! This beautiful city inspired him !

[@fgbowen]

Now THAT. is the way to play "Boat on the Ocean" - WoW!!!! You can SEE the waves! Thank you Sviatoslav Richter.

[@luisjadorf6122]

Breath taking, isn't it?

[@ferdinangenius]

"Boat on the Ocean" sounds more the tittle of a Gene Kelly dancing movie than something by Ravel...

[@stitchyduck]

At least the English translation of it. :)

[@fgbowen]

Luka Puka - aaah, SO agree. In the French it is probably So much more poetic. Thanks for your comment here.

[@ivanaraque]

Favorite recording ever!!! :) I read somewhere that Richter took painting as a hobby, and I like to think of this as his best graphic artwork.

[@mybrainproducesalcohol2323]

this is chillingly out of this world... his playing is insaneeee; brings Ravel to a whole new level

[@PeterLunowPL]

I know many many pianists interpretation ,but nobody reached this level ,EVER !!!

[@richardvolpe7664]

Well, let me tell you that this performance, similar to his run-through of "Jeux d'eau" is too damned fast, taking away much of the 'impressionistic' effect. Go ahead and be 'impressed' by the technical proficiency shown here, but much of the 'music' was also taken away. You know, this, plus countless other recordings by Richter, are awakening in me the quite possible idea that he isn't the towering pianistic giant that so many listeners regard him to be. Today, with the likes of Hamelin, Hough, Volodos, Wang, and many other artists making music on the highest level imaginable, Richter is becoming a fading memory, despite having given us several fine recordings.

[@Enricoooo]

@@richardvolpe7664although I agree with you on the jeux deau, this recording is absolutely revolutionary. No one has played miroirs the way this man has played. Everything here sounds so full of texture and color, but that’s just my opinion.

[@PeterLunowPL]

totally agree !!!

[@Barbapippo]

This performance is absolutely unbelievable...

[@embenadorfinearts]

Svistoslav Richter et Ravel, un imaginaire déterminant dans son rapport au temps et à la poésie avec le compositeur. C'est ce rapport au temps qui est au centre et agit de manière sublime et en même temps avec une certaine objectivité dans cette musique unique. Merci a FirstPublicChannel for this video !

[@dreamnade]

I can't believe this was live

[@Karamazov5]

I can't believe it at all. . .

[@SapereAudio]

The noctuelles are absolutely brilliant!

[@Lillars]

Incroyables !!!

[@jennyjang5894]

Extremely gorgeous performance ~Bravo, Richter!! A True Musician..the greatest genius of all time..!!!

[@antonellamajorano5348]

Grande Richter....la sua sonorità e interpretazione sono ineguagliabili.

[@smartti1970]

First time i hear it... love Ravel... RIchter's astounding playing

[@alexkliever4659]

The last piece of the suite brings me to tears. There’s a certain reflective, nostalgic emptiness that it always moves me to feel. Hard to describe. Then it echos in my head after listening and I can’t hold back tears. Richter’s interpretation of this work is amazing. Une barque is a bit rushed in sections, IMO. But that’s what is great about having the capability of listening to virtually endless artists interpret these monumental works.

[@eddfdc]

Perfect. Third movement is just miracle. The using of piano tone is unbelievable. How could he play like this by live?

[@TomCL-vb6xc]

Hyun Seok Hwang Because he is probably one of, if not the finest pianist to have ever lived.

[@leomiller2291]

TomCL 2000 agreed. I totally believe Richter is the greatest pianist of all time.

[@PeterLunowPL]

if it is any consolation: I am crazy too !!!!!

[@notsodumb51]

Richter was a genius in many ways, one of which was his ability to use the venue's acoustics to maximum effect, from the bell like treble to the subterranean bass

[@jules0659]

Entrancing. It is as though his whole being is as one with the music, and not set at a distance from it. Richter at his best was peerless. We're fortunate to have a permanent record of it, and thanks for posting it.

[@rpkrauss1]

What a touch!! Richter is completely alone as the master of the classical piano. There are hundreds of great classical pianists if not thousands but Richter transcends them all. He and David Oistrakh are the height of creative classical music. GIANTS BEYOUND compare........!

[@luismg2130]

Mstislav Rostropovich should be added to this Holy Trinity of Russian masters of the 20th century :)

[@Azian2DaMax]

lmao I love that you can hear the nail clacks, especially in the glissandos. Shows how great the quality of this recording is for its time.

[@annakryukova2198]

Святослав Рихтер недосягаемый ! Браво Маэстро !

[@wrdna58]

It's like a painting of a great work of art that is preserved in immaculate condition.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

Actually, it's more like one of Jackson Pollock's abstract paintings set to music...

[@meredith218461]

Amazing translucent sonorities in Noctuelles, and Oiseaux tristes is simply mesmeric. Richter creates wonderfully vivid picture imagery in these demanding works.

I've heard Ravel once said when asked "which piece from him would represent him the most", how he feels.. And he replied Oiseaux tristes from Miroirs... And I would not be surprised if Richter said kind of the same..

[@robertpalmer1435]

Dušan Holý I saw an interview with a couple who knew Ravel and they said that the composer felt that in Asie from the Sheherazade song cycle he captured a mood that he was never able to duplicate again. I love just about everything Ravel wrote but especially Gaspard de la Nuit and Miroirs and Daphnis, etc, etc, etc.

[@whitbywv]

***** Its possibly one of the greatest technical interpretations of the piece...as to French interpretation by a french player, yawnsville...tepid and boring. The 70's are over and the dinosaurs who tortured this art with the catchy xenophobic diatribes have been exposed as the imbeciles they were

[@whitbywv]

***** OH BY THE WAY, Chopin was Polish.......

[@whitbywv]

Oh great toothless Joe what are your musical palmares??? Cause you stating he is better off with Russian music again implies you have the impaired belief that a person of a specific nationality has a better chance to play their own cultural realm better. Sorry slick, it's called talent and if you cant provide any more insight than xenophobic diatribes you must suck Oh so big.

[@PsilliPig]

A miraculous performance. I can see why people froze their asses off waiting to get to see him in post war Russia.

[@robertadeangelis9948]

a volte prende tempi troppo rapidi, però tecnica inarrivabile e suono inimitabile fanno rimpiangere questi grandi pianisti del passato.....geniale semplicemente!!!!!!

[@tselyakov]

…. beyond words. Thank you Richter and Ravel for this wonderful gift 🙏

[@pedroa.cantero9449]

La génialité de Richter fait de ces miroirs miroitements sans tain qu’allègent toute substance et rendent volatile le moindre soupçon de matière. Jusqu’à l’alborada ou l’âme s’incarne dans une dance sans entrave, et devient pèlerine dans la vallée des cloches. Créateur er recréateur, par ces reflets, donnent vie aux cinq amis “apaches” de Ravel dans une rêverie impérissable.

[@wrdna58]

People keep saying it, but this is out of this world.

[@harveyg9898]

Wow, this recording is so resonant, Richter makes it so magical...

[@051963mf]

My favorite pianist.

[@MisterJSF]

Same here, except Cziffra...

[@leomiller2291]

Mine too.

[@Lillars]

Jamais entendu de pareilles Noctuelles ! Invraisemblable !

[@ronstriebig2749]

I have his autograph from a London concert rare performance A shy personality but simply the pianist of the 20th century

[@CarldeFigueiredo-lf2gc]

Me too! RFH recital. It's one of my most prized possessions. Simply the greatest!

[@shadowcadence378]

I think this is one of the best performances of the Miroirs I've ever heard. Richter makes every movement completely haunting and enthralling. Incredible pianissimos. Une Barque is very fast, but I loved it, the fluidity gives more of a sense of being tossed on stormy waves than conventional interpreations do, imo. When Alborada del Gracioso started I literally thought it was a guitar for a second, the shift in tone is incredible. Got a real twang to it, as it should. The timestamp for Alborada in the description is wrong btw, it should be 14:00

[@bachbaby6996]

This is simply remarkable -- like you're listening to it for the first time. Imagine how it might sound in 1080 quality.

[@moccagriselda]

Actually not much better than this, as the sound of piano doesn't benefit that much from a higher bitrate recording. Its frequency range doesn't extend over 5 KHz. So don't worry, you can enjoy this recording for what it is: an exceptional time capsule for all humanity.

[@hostlangr]

Vergleichen Sie bitte mit/ohne die EQ-Variation .... wie ein etwas verschwommenes Foto insgesamt klarer/schärfer wird. Warum es sich so verhält, kann man am Graph der Funktion, die aus dieser *genauen* ! Regler-Position ( kein preset ) resultiert und eine Crescendo-Verstärkung der hohen Frequenzen zeigt, diskutieren: Er erscheint im Display. Wiesehr hochwertige *Lautsprecher* den Klang verbessern können, ist bekannt. Dass ein EQ das Ergebnis günstig beeinflussen kann, ist viel *weniger geläufig.* EQUALIZER Variante (update Einstellung!) *©2024* HL, Germany. -09,0 dB (60Hz) -12,4 dB (230Hz) -15,0 dB (910Hz) -15,0 dB (4kHz) +15,0 dB (14kHz) Der Eintrag wird ergänzt, weil es sehr unterschiedliche EQ gibt. Er bezieht sich hier allgemein auf eine *'Bass Booster App' 🎧 - ohne* das Zuschalten des BASS BOOST. Die meisten gehen heute mit Bluetooth im Endgerät/Handy mAn. richtig um ('Advanced settings' *überprüfen,* den BBoost selbst vorsichtig verwenden, falls man ihn nutzt). Audio-Output Stereo, 'Compatibility Mode' der App und evtl 'Sound Field *FLAT'* Ihrer Anlage; dann wird die Auswirkung klar: präsenter, brillanter Klang.

[@j.e.8442]

Wow, interpretada la Alborada del Gracioso por su majestad Sviatoslav Richter (y en vivo...!!!). Los aplausos, la ovación plenamente merecida, no se hizo esperar al terminar brutal pieza. La que le antecede, bella obra del francés...

[@da96103]

Une barque sur l'ocean Others: Okay, you can just se baigner in the waters. Richter: Imma gonna let you faire du surf.

[@malaya1265]

( 4. Alborada del gracioso: 14:01)

[@MisterJSF]

Unbelievable !!

[@erikfreitas7093]

Phenomenal playing! 👏👏👏

[@ljiljanastanic9076]

Fantastic beauty!

[@aidalahlou6491]

Alborada actually starts at 14:00

[@nogravitydancecompanymaria9401]

Splendido! Quale magia puo produrre la mano di un uomo?!!!

[@ILovePianoForever]

His interpretation on the last movement is so exceptional

[@notaire2]

Hoch kultivierte live Aufführung dieses impressionistischen Meisterwerks in verschiedenen Tempi mit glänzendem Klang und perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Bestimmt eine der zehn besten Aufführungen dieses Werks im 20. Jahrhundert!

[@TomCL-vb6xc]

Not sure if it is just the ancient recording equipment used but in the beginning of Une barque sur l’Ocean it sounds like his left hand is playing an F# on the violin - it is so smooth and unwavering and pretty remarkable.

[@jeanfrancoispary3629]

Ces Noctuelles sont miraculeuses! Quelle sonorité!

[@alexandergadjiev3733]

No words can describe the sense of deep wonder, cosmic energy and spiritual peace created by these sounds. I wonder if someone knows, on what piano was Richter playing in Prague? is it Steinway or Bechstein?

[@PaulJones-oj4kr]

there's also a recording of Scriabin Etudes played amazingly by Richter. the recording is live from Romania....the flip side is Scriabin's 6th Sonata, which is done beyond belief.

[@fa-la-mi-mi-re]

Never heard of that wonderful recording-where can I find it??

[@willhk4809]

Am I crazy to think this is the greatest recording of piano music ever made?

[@Ghoopty]

It is, as many on here have said, unbelievable….

[@geuros]

It is incredible, but we're lucky to have many more incredible recordings. For example Pogorelich and his Gaspard de la Nuit

[@PeterLunowPL]

then I am happily crazy with you

[@helloxyz]

@@geuros yes, I was lucky to hear him live.

[@gnorn3607]

This is one of several Richter recordings that vie for that title.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

He is a great master of the legends

[@aurelashem8653]

His Alborada is insane on this one.

[@berlinzerberus]

Incredible Richter! ❤️

[@johnmiller599]

This entire collection is 🔥

[@gerardbegni2806]

This rendering of the outstanding "Miroirs" by Maurice Ravel may rank with that of French interpreters who took advantage of studies with the composer himself or his immediate friends and transmitted their knowledge.

[@VsevolodTokmakov93]

Love him

[@mousikopaigmonas23]

First movement very creative thinking. Like composer thinking, Richter is truly great.

[@leomiller2291]

A desert island recording. Richter may very well be the greatest in Ravel, and Debussy too. If only he had recorded the entire Gaspard de la Nuit.

[@gnorn3607]

His "Le Gibet" is enough for me.

[@Askeys]

All pieces are brilliants. Todo lo que interpreta es brillante.

[@antonellamajorano5348]

Che suono meraiglioso...

[@georgiepentch]

Alborada del gracioso actually starts at 14:00

[@faktablad]

Ravel: "quarter note = 128 environ" Richter: 190 should do it

[@christopherczajasager9030]

When he was pre-Yamaha ......and in top form...I heard him in 4 recitals in NYC in 1961, his rendition of Ravel' Jeux d'eau also ravishing. Slava probably very happy in Praha with its pretty beauties???,

[@AntonioTrovato]

Meraviglioso !!!!!!

[@IbstisztBlogspotHkgracomtey]

@Cesariono Yes, no. 4 indeed starts from 14:00

[@SapereAudio]

Tiszt A couple of little slips in une barque sur l'ocean, in the arpeggio sections.

[@robertpalmer1435]

SapereAudio So?

[@josephhapp9]

SapereAudio so?

[@jamesnickoloff6692]

Such a sweet photo!

[@TheTheurgist]

Ravel --- Richter = Perfection!

[@evgenylauck4893]

С первого звука абсолютно гениально!!!

[@calibardo]

i suoni più fantastici mai usciti da un pianoforte!

[@MrAkihiros]

Tempo will always be a CONTENTIOUS issue among soloists and conductors. But hey, that's why it's called interpretation.

[@ERICSTEPPENWOLF]

Sublime

[@joannawronska4100]

WONDERFUL!!!!! 🎶🎶🎶🌹🌹🌹😊😊😊

[@miraxkim]

Alborada del gracioso from 14:00

[@cduartemusicschool]

... The greatest pianist ...

[@ThomasOgrodnik]

9:37 It sounds like the boat is being whipped by the wind and waves.

[@jagareco]

La vallee des Cloches..all the lonelyness of the world in his hands. no one than Richter here, no one..

[@MrCinemuso]

Its a heart breaking performance.

[@DEERvhj]

god, this version

[@cubycube9924]

I listened to this many times daily for a month or two. Used to get really sad at the last piece while playing Minecraft haha

[@gerdlindlar1980]

unbelievable. sans concurrence

[@Ridicolosamente]

Remarkable

[@jendah.6762]

What? Are you deaf?? Btw...;Horowitz plyed Debussy and Ravel in Paris. After the Concert came a man to him and said: "well, Maestro, you know, you play the impressinonists like a Liszt, we, French, are used to play it smoother, slowlier. But, actually, you are right. Excuse me, my name is Maurice Ravel." I don´t know, what you hear, but I hear a masterpiec of technique, feeling, musicality. The worst Interprets are the "Experts".

[@gojewla]

I think his performance of mirrors (especially noctuelles and oiseaux tristes) is unmatched.

[@lagunagreg4019]

Really, what are the finest performances of this set that I know. I am not a rector fan, I often find his plane quite pedestrian. But on the other hand, this is something else entirely.

[@gojewla]

I think his recordings can go either way - either really fantastic or pretty bad. Still, he has an opinion, unlike most people nowadays, and his very best is top notch!

[@luc3753]

Very Richterlike.

[@DARUMA-02]

6:01 実際にリヒテルが弾いた音がどこからか反響してきたかの様なエコーの弾き方が凄い

[@spotharriet]

genius, complete genius

[@belialah]

MI favorito, de lejos.

[@rubestuh]

A brilliant performance.

[@林中一-y4w]

3:08 Richter made a mistake here by playing two notes (F) in the treble that should've been (bA) in the bass. Probably the music score editor didn't get it right.

[@moccagriselda]

At least the other 25876 notes were correct.

[@CarldeFigueiredo-lf2gc]

Hope making that comment made you feel big! Bravo!

[@fa-la-mi-mi-re]

[@tomtriffid]

That version of "Noctuelles" is quite different from what I remember of the piece. There must be several versions? And which one is Richter playing?

[@gnorn3607]

Richter's moths are ALIVE, flitting around like crazy; everyone else's are museum specimens pinned to the wall.

[@Cesariono]

I wasn't referring to the quality of the performance, I was referring to the times the pieces start at.

[@OuaghlaniAlaa]

Alborada del gracioso at 14:00

[@Nimenicamine01]

Ey, te has equivocado en la Alborada, es en el minuto 14:00 vale? minuto 14:00. Catorzito alborazito, entendido? Saludos leches.

[@Dylonely_9274]

Nice.

[@kimweonill]

How can a human possibly play like that

[@belialah]

This is the exact reason I only play my own pieces now. Why to bother? I better enjoy this recordings lol.

[@MrCinemuso]

What a shame Ravel never got to hear this.