Sviatoslav Richter, Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Related Category: Music: History, Composers, And Performers, Biographies

Sviatoslav Richter[svyA´tOslAf rikh´tur] Pronunciation Key, 1915–97, Russian pianist, b. Ukraine. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory under Heinrich Neuhaus. After earning an impressive critical reputation, he was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1945. In 1960 he made the first of many international concert tours. One of the greatest pianists of the 20th cent., Richter was known as a perfectionist who played in a warm, romantic style. His repertoire was extensive, including works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, Mozart, and Schumann.

See B. Monsaingeon, Richter: The Enigma (documentary film, 1998) and Sviatoslav Richter: Notebooks and Conversations (2001).