- Actors: Svyatoslav Richter
- Directors: Bruno Monsaingeon
- Format: Classical, PAL
- Language Russian
- Subtitles: English, French, German
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: Exempt
- Studio: Wmv
- DVD Release Date: 25 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 158 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CXNY
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
21,751 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #83 in Film & TV > Television > Music & Entertainment
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
This exemplary 154-minute documentary about the great Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter includes some wonderful archive footage and a lot of worthwhile discussion of one of the more remarkable of 20th-century concert careers. Richter was an extraordinary combination of poet, mystic and superb technician, as fine in the more spiritually ruminative moments of Johann Sebastian Bach as he was in the more spectacular display pieces of Franz Liszt. He was also in an interesting place at an interesting time--able to interpret the works of Prokofiev and Shostakovich when they were freshly minted, and able to play alongside other great virtuosi like Oistrakh and Rostopovich (there is some wonderful footage here of the three of them performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto under Karajan). Richter was as fine as a soloist with great orchestras as he was as accompanist--we see him with Fischer-Dieskau in Hugo Wolf's quirky song "Der Feierreiter"--but his true love was the recital; much of his long career was taken up with an endless pilgrimage around the civic centres of Soviet Russia, spreading the word of great music. --Roz Kaveney
Special Features
4:3 Full Frame
DVD 10
French\Russian
Region 2
MPEG-2 French Russian
MPEG-2 Stereo
Booklet
Chapter Selection
English\French\German
DVD 10
French\Russian
Region 2
MPEG-2 French Russian
MPEG-2 Stereo
Booklet
Chapter Selection
English\French\German
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was one of those lucky people to see Sviatoslav Richter at the Festival Hall in the 60's. I can remember the abrupt end of the concert and him walking off the stage without a glance at the audience who were ecstatic. This DVD shows him just as I remember him, warts and all. His playing is so 'out of this world' but I have really enjoyed the interview and the glimpse into his personal life. Well worth buying.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I watched this film twice (on Norwegian and Russian TV) before I realized I MUST have it. I think for anyone (not necessarily a music lover) who believes that he/she has achieved whatever possible and lacks challenges, it's worth to watch this documentary to find more inspiration. When Richter was 70, he made a six month trip through Siberia to bring the music he loved to the people who otherwise could not listen to it live. About at the same time Yamaha supplied two grand pianos at his disposal which they were bringing anywhere he wished to travel. I am very glad that our current technical achivements to record voice and face of such people. It's a pity I could not give this film 6 stars.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
In a few words this masterpiece lets itself describe, with honour and merit to what Richter deserves, but at the same time overloaded with superlatives for this whole concept.
I have quite a VHS-collection (between 500 and 600) of musicians (all genres), but this one beats everything: this film is "OUT OF CATEGORY" !!
The content of this VHS is about 1 of the 2 TITANS ever of the piano: Emil Gilels, whom Richter studied with at Moscow under Neuhaus, is the second one.
Concerning the film I will not spoil WHAT you will get to see and hear, but the makers of this 'movie' have well elaborated their theme. I will always be grateful to them: S. Richter is about - what is called in the European classic music world - the last Lisztian performer at the piano. Only Franz LISZT himself is in the neighbourhood when Svjatoslav Richter is touching his piano... As always with Richter his 'legato' playing (at Moscow he chose for legato, leaving 'the rest', meaning assai playing was more the style of Emil Gilels) keeps astonishing the listener. I was very pleased ànd surprised that the editors have been able to find that much rare footage: this pianist lived under Stalin and the Sovjetregime...
I have no problem to say that this VHS is A "REAL" MUST for all those who love the piano 'singing'. If you can, than also buy or listen to the triple CD that contains Richters pianowork as you can hear playing at the VHS. The experiences are not the same (different means!), but I can assure you that both are VINTAGE PRODUCTS.
P.S.: For those who are not acquainted with the word "Lisztian", it means more or less that the pianist can still perform in the style of the great virtuoso Franz Liszt was himself. Only a good dozen (Richter, Gilels, Horowitz, Michelangeli, Fischer, Arrau, Backhaus,...) may wear this title since Paderewski and Cortot.
I have quite a VHS-collection (between 500 and 600) of musicians (all genres), but this one beats everything: this film is "OUT OF CATEGORY" !!
The content of this VHS is about 1 of the 2 TITANS ever of the piano: Emil Gilels, whom Richter studied with at Moscow under Neuhaus, is the second one.
Concerning the film I will not spoil WHAT you will get to see and hear, but the makers of this 'movie' have well elaborated their theme. I will always be grateful to them: S. Richter is about - what is called in the European classic music world - the last Lisztian performer at the piano. Only Franz LISZT himself is in the neighbourhood when Svjatoslav Richter is touching his piano... As always with Richter his 'legato' playing (at Moscow he chose for legato, leaving 'the rest', meaning assai playing was more the style of Emil Gilels) keeps astonishing the listener. I was very pleased ànd surprised that the editors have been able to find that much rare footage: this pianist lived under Stalin and the Sovjetregime...
I have no problem to say that this VHS is A "REAL" MUST for all those who love the piano 'singing'. If you can, than also buy or listen to the triple CD that contains Richters pianowork as you can hear playing at the VHS. The experiences are not the same (different means!), but I can assure you that both are VINTAGE PRODUCTS.
P.S.: For those who are not acquainted with the word "Lisztian", it means more or less that the pianist can still perform in the style of the great virtuoso Franz Liszt was himself. Only a good dozen (Richter, Gilels, Horowitz, Michelangeli, Fischer, Arrau, Backhaus,...) may wear this title since Paderewski and Cortot.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Where are the subtitles? Don't trust the seller.
Though the video captures the artistry of Richter through the playing of his music, and though I get a general sense of certain aspects of him as a personality, my dvd came with no... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Amos
Meeting honesty and pure hearted musical feeling
What is there to say when you have the opportunity to "know" Richter in his own words and with complete honesty?Is there anything more to add?Of course not. Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by Miguel
An experience not to be missed
I doubt anyone considering this film requires a recommendation, but for what it's worth: this film is magnificent.
Published on 6 Sep 2009 by Dr. J. CHAJES
Enthralling documentary about the great Russian pianist
'Richter the Enigma' is a lengthy (154-minute) TV documentary about the legendary Sviatoslav Richter (1915-97), unquestionably one of the greatest pianists of the last century -... Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2000
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