PROKOFIEV: Sonatas 2 & 9; Concertos 1 & 5 - Sviatoslav Richter, Prague Symphony, Karel Ancerl, Warsaw National Philharmonic

“Richter was possibly the greatest Prokofiev pianist who ever lived. He had a unique way of unlocking the music’s pianistic beauty and poignant lyricism while still pushing its steel-edged rhythms to the proverbial max.”

–Classics Today
⭐️⭐️⭐️[Highest rating] “Richter’s account [of Piano Concerto No. 5] is a classic. … It cannot be recommended too strongly … This concerto could have sounded contrived BUT when put over with the rhythmic bite, the technical aplomb, and the pungency of characterisations that we see here… a very different story!”

Piano Sonata No.2 in D minor, Op.14 [17:16]
[1] I. Allegro ma non troppom 6.13
[2] II. Scherzo: Allegro marcato 1.47
[3] III. Andante 4.58
[4] IV. Vivace – Moderato – Vivace 4.17
 
Piano Sonata No.9 in C, Op.103 ‘dedicated to Sviatoslav Richter’ [24:21]
[5] I. Allegretto 7.38
[6] II. Allegro strepitozo 2.54
[7] III. Andante tranqillo 8.28
[8] IV. Allegro con brio ma non troppo presto 5.19
 
Piano Concerto No.1 in Db, Op.10 [14:02]
[9] I. Allegro brioso 6.32
[10] II. Andante assai 3.27
[11] III. Allegro scherzando 4.02