Richter, Svyatoslav (Teofilovich)

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Richter, Svyatoslav (Teofilovich) (b Zhitomir, 1915). Russ. pianist. Boy prodigy. Répétiteur Odessa Opera 1930, ass. cond. 1933. Début as pianist, Odessa 1934. Of exceptional virtuosity, he soon won int. recognition. Specialist in works of Prokofiev, givings f.ps. of 6th, 7th, and 9th pf. sonatas and conducting f.p. of Symphony-Concerto for vc. and orch. (1952, Rostropovich soloist). London début 1961; Amer. début Chicago and NY 1960–1. Salzburg Fest. début 1964. Equally impressive in concs., solo recitals, and chamber mus. Has played at Aldeburgh Fest. in assoc. with Britten and Rostropovich.