Clifford Curzon Plays Haydn, Liszt, Schubert

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Although Clifford Curzon (1907-82) enjoyed virtual carte blanche from Decca, his recording company for more than 40 years, the great British pianist made regrettably few records. This BBC Legends disc will, therefore, be greeted warmly by the late pianist's fans. It contains two works he never recorded commercially: Haydn's Variations in F Minor and Liszt's Valse oubliée No. 1.

Given Curzon's pre-eminence as an interpreter of the Viennese classics, it is astonishing that the Haydn marks the first appearance by that composer in his discography. Curzon's mastery of nuance makes the variations unfold magically; he invests their sadness with warmth and humanity almost like that of a consoling voice; and his command of structure makes the outburst in the coda seem inevitable as well as powerful. The Valse oubliée is perfectly formed, played with murmuring pedalings, as are the three Schubert impromptus.

For most piano aficionados, however, the highpoint of the disc will be the Liszt Sonata. Not long after this performance at the 1961 Edinburgh Festival, Curzon made a studio recording of the Sonata. That performance (still available on a midpriced Decca disc) comes close to perfection in its controlled passion and perfectly executed structural design. This live performance, while just as great, shows a very different Curzon. It is much faster, volcanic in its eruptions of temperament, and less than perfectly executed; along with more than a few missed notes, there are some that Curzon simply neglects to play. But the Edinburgh version must be heard by anyone who cares about the Liszt Sonata. It is as exciting and dramatic as the pianist's studio version is noble and beautiful. --Stephen Wigler

Clifford Curzon Plays Haydn, Liszt, Schubert, Music, Franz Joseph Haydn, Franz Liszt, Franz Schubert, Clifford Curzon, Berceuse for Keyboard, Chamber Music & Recitals, Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Classical Period Variations for Keyboard, Impromptu for Keyboard, Keyboard, Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard, Waltz for Keyboard

Average customer rating:

Clifford Curzon Plays Haydn, Liszt, Schubert Manufacturer: BBC Legends ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Impromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005Q5LN Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. Mozart: Piano Sonata in G major: Allegro
2. Mozart: Piano Sonata in G major: Andante
3. Mozart: Piano Sonata in G major: Presto
4. Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a: May. Starlight Night
5. Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a: June. Barcarolle
6. Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a: November. In a Troika
7. Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a: January. By the Hearth
8. Rachmaninov: Etudes-tableux, Op. 39: No. 3 in F sharp minor. Allegro molto
9. Rachmaninov: Etudes-tableux, Op. 39: No. 4 in B minor. Allegro assai
10. Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 68
11. Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 4 in C minor, Op. 29: Allegro molto sostenuto
12. Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 4 in C minor, Op. 29: Andante assai
13. Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 4 in C minor, Op. 29: Allegro con brio, ma
14. Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor: Andante sostenuto-Allegro moderato-Lento assai
15. Haydn: Andante & Variations in F minor
16. Schubert: Impromptu in E flat major, D899 No. 2
17. Schubert: Impromptu in G flat major, D899 No. 3
18. Schubert: Impropmtu in A flat major, D889 No. 4

Amazon.com

Given Curzon's pre-eminence as an interpreter of the Viennese classics, it is astonishing that the Haydn marks the first appearance by that composer in his discography. Curzon's mastery of nuance makes the variations unfold magically; he invests their sadness with warmth and humanity almost like that of a consoling voice; and his command of structure makes the outburst in the coda seem inevitable as well as powerful. The Valse oubliée is perfectly formed, played with murmuring pedalings, as are the three Schubert impromptus.

For most piano aficionados, however, the highpoint of the disc will be the Liszt Sonata. Not long after this performance at the 1961 Edinburgh Festival, Curzon made a studio recording of the Sonata. That performance (still available on a midpriced Decca disc) comes close to perfection in its controlled passion and perfectly executed structural design. This live performance, while just as great, shows a very different Curzon. It is much faster, volcanic in its eruptions of temperament, and less than perfectly executed; along with more than a few missed notes, there are some that Curzon simply neglects to play. But the Edinburgh version must be heard by anyone who cares about the Liszt Sonata. It is as exciting and dramatic as the pianist's studio version is noble and beautiful. --Stephen Wigler

Track Listings:

1. Danielpour: An American Requiem
2. David Diamond: Symphony No. 1; Violin Concerto No. 2; The Enormous Room
3. Davide Penitente, K. 469
4. Dawn Of Redeeming Grace
5. Divine Theatre
6. Donizetti: Maria di Rohan
7. Elgar: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2, Pomp and Circumstances [Import]
8. Fabio Bidini plays Schumann
9. For Book Lovers Only [Box set] [Enhanced]
10. Franz Joseph Haydn: String Quartets, Op. 33 Nos. 1, 4 & 6 - Quatuor Mosaïques

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Sittin in the Middle of Madness [Import]

Ukrainian Composers Series - The Monogram

Top Priority [Import] [Original recording remastered]

See Ya Around

How Many Bands Does It Take to Screw up a Blondie Tribute

The Other Side

Track of the Cat [Original recording remastered]

Schumann: Fantasien, Opp. 17, 12, 111

Tokyo Joe: the Best of [Import]

The Thieving Magpie (Chandos Opera in English)

The Telluride Sessions

Sweet Soul [Import]

Serie 30 Exitos, Vol. 1: Leyendas del Romance

Fats Domino - Greatest Hits Live

Angels of Venice