Schubert: Wanderer-Fantasie; Schumann / Clifford Curzon

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Curzon's performance of Schumann's Fantasy in C, initially released in 1954, remains among the greatest ever recorded. Instead of the stormy theatricality usually heard, the composer's direction that the first movement "be performed very imaginatively and passionately" makes the British pianist respond with a sense of chivalric ardor, no less passionate for all its nobility. Sonorousness is combined with tenderness; attention to detail with grandeur of proportion; and dramatic urgency with meditative lyricism. The majestic second movement march unfolds with unobtrusive power and unflagging rhythm. The Elysian final movement can sound repetitious in less-than-loving hands. But Curzon uses his command of shading, variety of touch, and knowledge of bel canto phrasing to create a sense of rapturous intoxication. He was as happy in miniatures as in large structures. Curzon's magical performance of the same composer's "Kinderszenen" suggests--in its delicacy of color, its exquisite textures, and its heartfelt (and difficult to achieve) simplicity of expression--the best Mozart. His distinguished reading of Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy is heard here in a better-sounding transfer than on the volume dedicated to him in Philips's "Great Pianists" series. --Stephen Wigler

Tracks:

Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17: I. Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen
Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17: II. Massig. Durchaus energisch
Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17: III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Von fremden Landern und Menschen
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Kuriose Geschichte
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Hasche-Mann
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Bittendes Kind
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Gluckes genug
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Wichtige Begebenheit
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Traumerei
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Am Kamin
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Ritter vom Steckenpferd
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Fast zu ernst
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Furchtenmachen
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Kind im Einschlummern
Kinderszenen, Op. 15: Der Dichter spricht
Wanderer-Fantasie, D760: Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo
Wanderer-Fantasie, D760: Adagio
Wanderer-Fantasie, D760: Presto
Wanderer-Fantasie, D760: Allegro

Amazon.com

Curzon's performance of Schumann's Fantasy in C, initially released in 1954, remains among the greatest ever recorded. Instead of the stormy theatricality usually heard, the composer's direction that the first movement "be performed very imaginatively and passionately" makes the British pianist respond with a sense of chivalric ardor, no less passionate for all its nobility. Sonorousness is combined with tenderness; attention to detail with grandeur of proportion; and dramatic urgency with meditative lyricism. The majestic second movement march unfolds with unobtrusive power and unflagging rhythm. The Elysian final movement can sound repetitious in less-than-loving hands. But Curzon uses his command of shading, variety of touch, and knowledge of bel canto phrasing to create a sense of rapturous intoxication. He was as happy in miniatures as in large structures. Curzon's magical performance of the same composer's "Kinderszenen" suggests--in its delicacy of color, its exquisite textures, and its heartfelt (and difficult to achieve) simplicity of expression--the best Mozart. His distinguished reading of Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy is heard here in a better-sounding transfer than on the volume dedicated to him in Philips's "Great Pianists" series. --Stephen Wigler

Customer Reviews:

A classic recording from Curzon.......2005-11-19

Towards the end of Robert Schumann's life, as he became more and more unhinged, he claimed to be taking direct musical dictation from angels. Clifford Curzon's towering and emotionally rich performance of these works leaves you in no doubt that this was indeed the case.

The Fantasie in C major is played with a passion and sensitivity all Curzon's own - it is as though the music was written especially for him; and with the Kinderszenen, he perfectly brings out the crystaline beauty in their apparent, lullabyesque simplicity.

Curzon's performance of Schubert's Wanderer-Fantasie is equally mesmerising. As a pianist, there are few who can match his talent and these recordings have rightly been included in Decca's Legendary Legend series. This comes highly recommended.

Few Great Pianists Sound like Him, If At All.......2005-01-22

I agree with what the editorial says. The pieces are as colourful as the stained glasses of some great Catherals (partly due to the French influence?) And perhaps he has got it from Schnabel, he has obviously captured the "butterfly by the wings" very well too. His sound as well as playing as a whole, however, reminds us above all of Edwin Fischer save and except a little less improvised! His interpretations on Kinderszenen is almost completely different from say Cortot-Kempff-Arrau, so that they would necessarily make you take another look into these pieces. Highly recommended.

Inspiring.......2002-04-11

Clifford Curzon can make you _hear_ a composer for the first time. That is the case with this recording. He achieves this not by exaggeration but by great sensitivity to the music's ebb and flow. (Be aware that the sound is good but clearly old. After repeated listening, this becomes unimportant.)

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