Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No. 23 "Appassionata", No. 17 "The Tempest" & No. 18

Featuring

Sviatoslav Richter
Ludwig van Beethoven

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Interpretation

Svjatoslav Richter believed a pianist should be a performer carrying out the composer's intentions to the letter, adding nothing that isn't in the score, and dissolving into the music.

Compositional Technique

The 'Appassionata' Sonata is described as a 'torrent of fire on a bed of granite' by Romain Rolland, and is technically difficult with an uncommon sonorous volume for its time.

Performer Biography

Svjatoslav Richter, the pianist on this album, refused to perform the complete 32 Beethoven Sonatas and eliminated some from his repertoire that did not suit his temperament.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Beethoven himself stated that reading Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' would lead to an understanding of two of his nicknamed sonatas.

Compositional Technique

Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 18 is unusual for having no slow movement, instead featuring a discreet, quiet, and majestic beginning.

Recording & Production

Despite having 2,550 hours of live broadcast recordings, Svjatoslav Richter disliked the recording process, especially in the studio, but sometimes approved live performances.