Richter plays Franck Prelude Chorale and Fugue with score

The Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter plays Cesar Franck's Prelude Chorale and Fugue, bringing to life the wonderful mysticism and chromatic harmonies of this great 19th century composer. Recorded 1958

[@ЛучианаАйтубаева]

0:00 PRELUDE 0:54 2 theme 3:55 Recap. 5:14 CHORAL 6:16 Theme 7:33 Theme in Fm 9:25 Theme in Ebm 12:04 FUGUE 14:14 Theme 2 14:48 Development 16:33 Cadenza 17:23 fugue with elements from prelude 17:42 thems from choral 18:49 fugue and theme from prelude 19:30 CODA

[@tomseeley7482]

I first hears this beautiful piece while I was a freshman in a small college with a good music program when a senior Richard Krueger (sp?) played it as the final piece for his senior recital. I loved it then and I’ve loved it ever since. Reading the score along with this wonderful performance makes it even more special for me.

[@trethtower]

Thank you for that Tom. This piece has remained in a class by itself for me these many years, much to this Richter performance.

[@damienheemskerk]

not only is this piece one of the most beautiful piano solos ever written. It's also the best use of cyclic form ever (in my opinion), 17:20 is one of the best recapitulations ever, bringing back the chorale theme in the motive of the prelude, later adding the fugue theme, culminating in a double/triple fugue with all the themes of the three movements. It's all just so cleverly put together and adds so much to the musical experience.

[@tomseeley7482]

Yes! You are absolutely right! I have always loved the way he brings back that marvelous choral theme! I’m so glad to “meet “ another loved of this marvelous piece who hears that also!

[@Farahmand1010]

Du pur génie.

[@geuros]

one can hear Franck was an organist as well... unbelievable, usually piano pieces don't feel mystical, the Chorale is just other-worldly...

[@mariaquaranta1190]

0:00 Prelude 5:14 Chorale 12:04 Fugue

[@gerardbegni2806]

Richter has an analytic vision, which is perfectly suited to this masterwork of the French music. I always had the felling that the last manner of Beethoven had influenced the composition process, from deatils of language to overall structure. This rendering by Richter gives all its strength to that composition and its character. It is a very great recording.

[@vaclavmiller8032]

The modulation between the prelude and the chorale is just stunningly beautiful

[@EmogeneHBedrosian]

Enjoyed it tremendously Great to hear with score. A blend of Beethoven, Bach and innovative harmonies. The usual Franck key changes and numerous accidentals. This is a major work which is rarely performed. Shows the colors, dynamics and range of the whole piano. Thank you for posting.

[@Assassunn]

I listen to a lot of different pieces from different composers, but I have to admit, the Chorale gets me in the guts, this si sublimely powerful.

[@calebhu6383]

I also hear some Schumann. Fantastic work.

[@zinam5795]

Bravo's 43--y o S.Richter !! Great Music!!!

[@suremate]

Probably my favourite recording, and not just of the piece.

[@trethtower]

That is very high praise. Thank you!

[@vladibaby79]

Wirklich hervorragend!!! Eines der besten Beispiele unübertroffener Klavierkunst.

[@marcmitchel25]

Dear God what COULDN'T Richter do? Genius interpreter meets genius composer.

[@walmenreis]

There couldn't be a more balanced and epic version of Franck's masterpiece. Once again, bravo comrade Richter!

[@trethtower]

So glad you enjoyed. Thank you!

[@HerwigZack]

Though I am not always a fan of Richter's interpretations (f. e. Liszt Sonata, most of his Chopin, some of his Schubert etc.), this recording is truly outstanding, a veritable jewel! He has a miraculous, instinctive understanding for the timing, creating seemingly endless melodic lines and at the same time utmost polyphonic transparency. Phenomenal!

[@shaozhongchen5383]

thank you so much for this upload

[@joeyg617]

Following the notes gives you chills.....

[@globalc3849]

By far the benchmark recording of this piece. I've never heard anyone come close to the truth of this piece more than Richter. I think that was always his aim with every piece, which was to arrive at the truth of the piece. Other examples of his benchmark recordings: Prokofiev 6-9 Sonatas. Prokofiev concertos 1 & 5. Rach all the preludes he played. Concerto 1&2. Schumann concerto. There's just too many to mention. And whatever you do make sure to hear his Debussy Clair de lune. Time stands still.

[@trethtower]

Thank you for your informative comments concerning the great S. Richter. In addition to your aforementioned recordings, his series of recordings, the landmark Carnegie Hall 1960 recitals had an enormous impact on my understanding and appreciation of the works of Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff. A truly unique individual and personality.

[@JMcYrk]

I just listened to his Clair de lune. Thank you!

[@ABreaux]

Awagagin Pratt does it justice just as much as Richter did. You should check out his interpretation.

[@trethtower]

Thanks Emogene for sharing your insightful comment. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@MrInterestingthings]

I had to learn this profound & amazing music one semester and it only spoke of a faded generation;:mustiness and late romanticism.Outworn and dated. I was astonished later when I got a rec off Rubinsein playing it along with Liszt sonata .My teacher played his teacher CORTOT's recording and I was deaf,blind and completely dumb .ow 25 years later its beauty is eternal and astounding to me ! I guess the Debussy preludes and etudes may grip me one day cuz few of them do now. Richter is wonderful hear .My favorite pianists ar Schiff and Argerich.I dont think Schiff plays any Franck .Argerich onlt violin sonata probably with Kremer .

[@MatthieuStepec]

Your teacher was a pupil of Cortot? What was his name?

[@wesmlr]

you ok???

[@福田秀樹-t6b]

詩情溢れる演奏だ。リヒテルはフランクを体感的に把握して、一つのイメージとして捉え、そのイメージを音として紡いでいる気がする。

[@didierleroy6348]

Très belle interprétation. L'influence de Wagner avec ses thèmes cycliques et la surabondance du chromatisme est bien présent dans cette œuvre. Franck est un peu le Wagner belge.

[@ivanvazquez8858]

Obra monumental 😮... Impresionante... Oro para el oído y el alma Humana.

[@GalleryOfChameleon]

beautiful!

[@annabarutti5877]

Inarrivabile.

[@carlw333]

fantastic!!

[@thomgeo8073]

Вечная память Славику ❤

[@snowcarriagechengcheng-hun3454]

Thanks for uploading!

[@leongreen8088]

Всегда прелесть, особенно последние 3 минуты!

[@zinam5795]

....Да ВСЕ минуты. гениальны.... у ОБОИХ! ...БРАВО!

[@_nazerek_136]

0:21 Prelude 5:14 Chorale 12:04 Fugue

[@r.i.p.volodya]

SUPERB!

[@luizfernandg]

What can be better as Richter in the 1950s?

[@alesa351]

Richter handles the choral especially great, but I think Codispoti's performane of this piece is the best version. I made a sheet music video with his audio. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3nbfaOag6acmbc

[@jeffreyberndt6638]

my first Richter record!!

[@luizamsalgado]

Mine too ! A discovery of Cesar Franck and Richter, a marvelous discovery ! Since then I've become a Richter addict and liked great Franck even more !

[@MegaPianogenius]

great my first was liszt both concerti, never been played better

[@arsatinsky1]

Yes, with Schumann Humoresque

[@tomseeley7482]

And it’s the LP I owned fifty years ago!

[@arjanvanderroest6105]

The master

[@orgyenzopa]

Fantastic rendition, fabulous piece. Speechless. When was it recorded?

[@adrianyaguar7666]

1958 🙂

[@Bulbophile]

Sounds like a motif from us Bach's prelude and fugue, hey Larry, PAGE, 13, is a top stave, far right, begins.... And if my supposed AI angel takes more than let's say an hour to incorporate this into my suggested tv like listening s, it's not ai, lol

[@nikol4y.l]

Immaculate counterpoint at 18:07

[@Apfelstrudl]

4:08 James Bond

[@vonMohl]

Reminiscent of Schumann.

[@ОксанаЧернова-у7ц]

❤

[@guilhermeassef8028]

Obg Franz Ventura

[@jamescrue]

"Cesar Franck's 'Prelude, Choral and Fugue', the supreme case of religious kitsch, nonetheless provides a nice example of 'impossible longing' in the guise of the melody which endeavors to reach the climax, but is again and again forced to abandon its effort and, as it were, to fall back" -Slavoj Zizek, "Plague of Fantasies" p 194. (Discussing the evolution of melody in music and its correspondence to the evolution of human intersubjectivity)

[@jamescrue]

yeah, you are probably right.

[@marcmitchel25]

I had the joy of studying this piece and find Richter as authentic here as he usually is. The concept of Franck's music I find not exotic at all, but most livable.

[@joelweber3462]

Audio is poor and distorted - not enjoyable to listen to.

[@44seann]

boring!!! que de gemissements et de modulations lourdes pour enfin arriver a la peroraison finale!!! meme bach est ùoins serieux!!!

[@Assassunn]

Peut-être devrais-tu te donner une autre chance en écoutant un meilleur enregistrement, avec une approche en tout positivité cela pourrait te donner un meilleur regard sur ce chef d'oeuvre et t'aider à le comprendre, par exemple de Kissin ou de Perahia. Sinon, c'est très dommage pour toi.