Richter and Rachmaninov and Prokofiev

[ignaceii]

Hi,
Perhaps I opened this subject, but it keeps me wondering.

Why do you think Richter , to my knowledge, never played Rach3.
And no Prokofiev 2 and 3. Only 1 and 5.

I am certain he could master them "easily". But why skipping these illustre masterpieces.
Were it "scary pieces" for him ?
Or just not interested.

To me, he is still nr. 1 among all pianists. Speaking of rankings.
And pure for his technical, musical, as broad repertoire knowledge, recording all Rachs, Prokofievs, Beethoven (the last 3 in any way), aso, V. Ashkenazy. Surprising. Perhaps, as Pletnev.
You will find no Horowitz in my top 3. When I come across recordings of Horowitz, it is practically always the same, Skryabin, Scarlatti, Chopin, Haydn, and HIS Rach 3....
Compared to Ashkenazy he is a little boy.
But a great master, I agree...

So. Richter. In a way he is making a statement not to play the overplayed Rach3, and competition horses Prokofiev 2,3 and again Rach 3.

Curious if you have more on this. Debate on top 3s is not the issue, just a personal quote from me.

Ignace
Belgium

[stevensk]

Why do you think Richter , to my knowledge, never played Rach3.

-Hm, he didnt like it?
-His boyfriend didnt like it?
-He had too much household chores?
-He played it at home, and thats enough?
-It didnt fit nice on a LP?
-His neighbors complained?
-Who cares?

[severius]

To name just a few major players who focussed on either the Rach 2 or the Rach 3, exclusively.

AFAIK, both Argerich and Horowitz never recorded the Rach 2, and they may not have played it in concert, either.

Cziffra only recorded the second, I'm pretty sure.

I'm sure there are other pianists who've done the same thing. Don't know why they did what they did, howver.

[cimirro]

Personally I don't know why a pianist "must" play something.
(I already lost some precious 30 minutes listening lots of unnecessary recordings of "Rach 3" and "similars"...)

I prefer trying to understand what the pianist have to tell with his playing more than expecting him to play what I want to hear.

There are much more to listen than the same small number of famous concertos...