The Repertoire of S. T. Richter: Touches to the Creative Portrait

Abstract

The prominent musician-performer of the 20th century, Russian pianist Svyatoslav Teofi lovich Richter reached the tops of piano mastery thanks to virtuoso technique, expressive intonation, impeccable sense of style, depth of interpretation and extensive repertoire. The choice of works was due to the personal preferences of the pianist, the depth of the content of opuses, and the desire to bring aesthetic pleasure to the public with the beauty of music. The purpose of the work was to identify the principles of Richter’s selection of a concert repertoire based on an analysis of his statements about composers, aesthetic preferences, a list of works, concert programmes and sound recordings. Richter seeks to perform works of deep content, in which important ideas for all mankind are embodied, passionate temperament and exciting emotions are conveyed. A warm response in Richter’s performing arts was found by compositions combining the sincerity of utterance and the simplicity of images in the spirit of the revelations of romantic composers.