César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Piano Quintet in f minor (1878-9) [38:19]
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Harmonies Poétiques et Réligieuses (1845-52): 1V. Pensée des morts [16:53]; 1X. Andante lagrimoso [8:37]
Ave Maria [5:33]
Sviatoslav Richter (piano)
Borodin Quartet (Franck)
rec. December 1981, Pushkin Museum, Moscow (Franck); September 1984, Kloster Polling, Germany
PHILIPS PRESTO CD 4321422 [70:03]
I first became acquainted with these recordings in the days
when our local library boasted an extensive recorded music section, which
I regularly frequented. Unfortunately, in the name of progress, this little
avenue of pleasure has now been closed off. Originally issued in 1991, this
release has long been deleted, but thanks to a licensing agreement between
Universal and Presto Classical of Leamington Spa, UK, it is back in circulation
via a Manufacture on Demand service. I was amazed at the size of their back
catalogue, but didn’t know what to expect. I needn’t have worried.
The copies are identical to the originals, and the artwork and booklet notes
are faithfully reproduced.
The Franck Piano Quintet is a performance of immense ardour and vigour, in
which the players luxuriate in the lushness and melodic wealth of the composer’s
writing. It’s a reading of emotional urgency that certainly packs a
punch. Rarely have I heard such heartfelt passion and drama. The wistful calm
and autumnal glow of the slow movement is spellbinding, and provides a contrast
to the more heated and intense outer movements. Ideal balance between piano
and strings adds to the overwhelming success of the performance.
What drew me to this CD when I first encountered it all those years ago was
the 17 minute Pensée des morts, the fourth piece of Liszt’s Harmonies
Poétiques et Réligieuses; it’s certainly the star of the show here.
I had always admired Alfred Brendel’s 1976 Philips recording of this
piece, that is until I’d heard the great Russian pianist’s take
on it. Richter also plays the ninth piece of the set, Andante lagrimoso. The
Ave Maria is not the B flat one (no. 2) from the set, but one dating from
1862 in E major. His profound and probing accounts of these rarely heard works
set these performances apart. In Pensée des morts he expresses the deep sorrow
and spirituality of the music without resorting to sentimentality. In the
arpeggiated chords of the big tune in the second half, he achieves a transcendentally
luminous tone. It is regrettable that Richter never took the Bénédiction de
Dieu dans la solitude (no. 3) into his repertoire. This is probably my favourite
piano work by any composer.
I’m not too sure whether Philips got their dates and venues correct
for these recordings. They were certainly all recorded live, though this isn’t
indicated. In the two Richter discographies that I have, the Franck dates
from 13 December 1986, and was taped in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.
The Liszt recordings date from 17 August 1982.
These are truly remarkable recordings, in fine sound. Neither the Borodin
Quartet nor Richter made commercial recordings of the works on offer, which
adds to their value and importance. The live situation does confer that extra
element of spontaneity and freshness on the music-making. Booklet notes are
in English, German, French and Italian. All I can do is thank Presto for restoring
these distinguished performances to the fold.
Stephen Greenbank
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