A transfer I did sometime ago and I've had it in the can for a while. This one does not benefit from ClickRepair but rather Click Removal in Audacity. And, I believe that the files are mp3 if that matters.
The Monitor label released a sizeable number of these early to mid 60's Soviet produced recordings and many were benchmark quality, at least for performance! I would consider these peak Richter performances with Kondrashin and the Moscow PO to be right up there in terms of performance, insight, command of repertoire and interpretative quality. In Richter's hands, the Rimsky comes off as being a minor masterful creation, something that it ain't, certainly not approaching the genius of a Scheherazade. The Prokofiev 1 is a masterpiece and is given a reading that befits its status as one of the great piano concertos of the 20th century. And, the Glazunov 1's interpretation leaves one wondering why this little gem is not more securely fastened to the standard repertoire list. Richter and Kondrashin are like minded artists and this release is a terrific illustration of how the soloists/collaborator role should be followed.
Everything here is quite listenable if forever imprisoned in that distinctive "Melodiya" sound, love it or leave it, depending on your kind of audio preference. Richter is one of the great giants of the keyboard, in any kind of sound!
