– Sviatoslav Richter in recital at the 1986 Tivoli Music Festival – 1986 – NRK-Copenhagen/American Public Radio –
Another rarity this week. This time from the 1986 Tivoli Gardens Music Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark. A recital given by the legendary Sviatoslav Richter in an all Beethoven program. It was broadcast via the NRK in Copenhagen by the now-renamed American Public Radio.
Sviatoslav Richter In Recital – 1986 Tivoli Gardens Music Festival
All-Beethoven Concert
1. Two Rondos – Op. 51
2. Sonata Number 28 in A op. 101
In 1986 Richter embarked on a six-month tour of Siberia with his beloved Yamaha piano, giving perhaps 150 recitals, at times performing in small towns that did not even have a concert hall. It is said that after one such concert, the members of the audience, who had never before heard classical music performed, gathered in the middle of the hall and started swaying from side to side to celebrate the performer.
An anecdote illustrates Richter’s approach to performance in the last decade of his life. After reading a biography of Charlemagne (he was an avid reader), Richter had his secretary send a telegram to the director of the theater in Aachen, Charlemagne’s favored residence city and his burial place, stating “The Maestro has read a biography of Charlemagne and would like to play at Aquisgrana (Aachen)”. The performance took place shortly thereafter.
Richter was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century. His concerts were milestones and his fans were legion. If, by some strange coincidence, you haven’t heard him before, or are only vaguely familiar with the name – do yourself a huge favor and play this concert.
You won’t regret it.
If I’m preaching to the choir, enjoy it anyway.
