Music: Debut to Remember

To play his best, says Soviet Pianist Sviatoslav Richter, he has to feel in tune with the concert-hall décor: blues and greys put him in a communicative mood. Last week, in his long-awaited Manhattan debut, Richter tried out the new white and gold interior of Manhattan's Carnegie Hall. If his phenomenal performance was any guide, Carnegie had struck on the color combination of the decade.

Interior Logic. In keeping with his preference for playing only one composer at each concert, Richter offered a program of five Beethoven sonatas—Nos. 3, 9, 12, 22 and 23...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!