CD: Schubert, Moment Musicaux; Chopin and Liszt, Piano Sonatas: Sviatoslav Richter

It sometimes seems as if every one of the recitals Sviatoslav Richter gave from the late 1950s onwards was recorded, and has appeared on disc since his death, but this is a special memento of one of the great pianist's close musical relationships.

Richter's friendship with Benjamin Britten began in 1961, and from 1964 he was a regular visitor to the Aldeburgh festival, playing duets with Britten and solo recitals that were often spur-of-the-moment events.

This is a compilation from his appearances in 1964, 1965 and 1966; three of the Schubert Moment Musicaux are turned into intense miniature tone poems, the E minor sonata is postively otherworldly, while the account of the Liszt sonata is immense.

The quality of the sound varies but the artistry is extraordinary.