Search - Sviatoslav Richter :: Melodiya Sviatoslav Richter Edition, Vol. 4: Schumann: Fantasiestucke, Op. 12, Nos. 1-3, 5, 7-8; Humoreske, Op. 20; Novelletten, Op, 21, Nos. 1-2, 8

Although Schumann was one of the composers Sviatoslav Richter played best, this is not the most essential disc of this series. This Moscow recording of the six pieces from Op. 12 (Richter always played the same six, leaving out two of the set) is no better or worse than the Prague recordings made at the same time and now available from Deutsche Grammophon. In either case, you do want to hear Richter play these pieces, especially the miraculous speed and clarity of Traumes-Wirren. Richter gave the most convincing performance of the radical Humoreske ever, but his concert recording is even more exciting than this fine studio version. On the other hand, these Novelletten apparently hadn't been issued before, so maybe this disc is essential after all. --Leslie Gerber