Sviatoslav Richter
Your German heart
understood Beethoven,
Your Russian hands
expressed his music
with consummate skill.

Sviatoslav Richter
Giant of the piano
You attacked the keys
with blinding technique
uncompromising honesty
and purity of soul.

Sviatoslav Richter
You spoke these words
shortly before you died:
'If one can only find
the necessary harmony,
life can be so wonderful'.

Alison Cassidy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/richter-plays-beethoven/