Sony Classical celebrates the art of Sviatoslav Richter, one of the 20th century s greatest pianists, with the first-ever release of his complete Columbia Masterworks and RCA Victor live and studio recordings, Sviatoslav Richter The Complete Album Collection, an 18-CD original jacket box set. Richter was already a legend in his native Soviet Union when he came to the West for the first time in 1960. His American tour that year not only consolidated the pianist s international reputation, but also resulted in the memorable recordings in this collection, including his legendary five October 1960 Carnegie Hall recitals. These concerts yielded nine LPs, including two that were released only in Japan. Long-treasured as rare collectors items, they appear here for the first time on CD, mastered from the original analogue tapes. The Complete Album Collection also features Richter s legendary Newark Mosque Theater recital and his acclaimed RCA studio solo and concerto sessions that include Brahms Second Concerto, Beethoven s First Concerto and three Beethoven Sonatas.