Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1; Variations on a Rococo Theme

Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Wiener Symphoniker, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan

Released on 1/01/2007 by Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
Main artists: Sviatoslav Richter Mstislav Rostropovich Wiener Symphoniker Berliner Philharmoniker Herbert von Karajan
Genre: Klassiek

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Language available : english

Only those who are already familiar with these same performances on previous releases are advised to pass on this disc coupling Herbert von Karajan and Sviatoslav Richter's 1962 recording of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Karajan and Mstislav Rostropovich's 1968 recording of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme. Though some might argue that Karajan was not an accommodating accompanist, the challenges poised by these supremely strong-willed soloists brought out the best -- or at least the most cooperative -- in him, and these performances are indeed among the finest he ever recorded. Richter is as always an imperious pianist in the concerto, tearing into the piece with the unswerving conviction that it is not a warhorse, but a great and vital work. Similarly, Rostropovich is a muscular, soulful, and unrelentingly ingratiating soloist in the Variations, ripping into the work with nary a backward glance at the Austrian conductor on the podium. But, naturally, Karajan keeps right up with them, eliciting out of the Wiener Symphoniker amazingly fiery playing in the concerto and drawing out of his Berliner Philharmoniker consistently refined playing in the Variations. Arguably two of the greatest postwar recordings of the works, Deutsche Grammophon's stereo sound is astoundingly real and immediate.

© TiVo

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Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1; Variations on a Rococo Theme

Sviatoslav Richter

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Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23 (Pyotr Illitch Tchaïkovski)

I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito

Sviatoslav Richter

00:22:08

Sviatoslav Richter, Piano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Herbert Von Karajan, Conductor, MainArtist - Wiener Symphoniker, Orchestra, MainArtist - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer - Günter Hermanns, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rolf Peter Schroeder, Editor - Otto Ernst Wohlert, Producer, Recording Producer

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

II. Andantino semplice – Prestissimo – Tempo I

Sviatoslav Richter

00:06:55

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

III. Allegro con fuoco – Molto meno mosso – Allegro vivo

Sviatoslav Richter

00:07:05

℗ 1963 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 (Pyotr Illitch Tchaïkovski)

Introduction. Moderato quasi andante

Mstislav Rostropovich

00:00:54

Berliner Philharmoniker, Orchestra, MainArtist - Herbert Von Karajan, Conductor, MainArtist - Mstislav Rostropovich, Cello, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Hans Weber, Producer, Recording Producer - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer - Otto Gerdes, Producer - Günter Hermanns, Balance Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Volker Martin, Editor, StudioPersonnel