Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings

A fabulous collection of a life time of work from an excellent musician. Very satisfying, and excellent value from Decca

I won't actually review this, as John Fowler did a fine review. I just want to add that Disc 1 (Beethoven 5 & Tchaikovsky 1 with Szell) and 17 (Brahms 1 also with Szell and Liebeslieder-Walzer) appear to be remastered compared to the previous boxes. Both the information in the booklet and the timings indicate this, though to my ears only the Liebeslieder-Walzer are (noticeably) improved. Discs 2-21 appear to be identical to the previous boxes – at least the timing of each and every track but one is identical (the exception being the last movement Schubert D 960, where the new cd for some reason is two seconds shorter; the music stops about 10 seconds before the track ends, so it is not an issue, just bit strange). Note that the timings given in the booklet are not reliable.

Clifford Curzon was one of the great pianists of the Twentieth Century. We owe a debt to Decca (OK, Universal) for bringing us this collection.Curzon had a reputation as an intellectual (perhaps it was the glasses), but he could out-virtuoso the best of them (the Liszt Sonata is incredible).Buy this box.That said, I was struck by something curious while reading the contents listing on the back of the box:Clifford Curzon left us no recordings of a Beethoven Piano Sonata or of ANYTHING by Chopin.He had possibly the most narrow recorded repertoire of any of the great pianists. His only rival in this respect was Arturo Beneditti Michelangeli.Curzon was a pupil of Artur Schnabel. Perhaps that explains the lack of sympathy for Chopin, but the Beethoven is a mystery.If anything, he could be called a Mozart specialist, but he only recorded five concertos, and he re-recorded them obsessively. He was never satisfied.Decca was justly famous for the quality of their stereo recordings (roughly half) and these do not disappoint.Decca mono "ffrr" recordings were also famous in their time.I have no quarrel with the piano sound, but always found the orchestral recordings a bit shrill compared to EMI or RCA.Now for some quibbles:1) The first 21 CDs in this box are already available in four collections, released between 2003 and 2007.The DVD appeared in 2007 (it included a bonus CD - two BBC interviews with Curzon - CD 23 in the new box).So the only new material in this new box is on CD22 - 75 minutes recorded between 1942 and 1949.55 quid* (blimey!) is a great price for 22 CDs and a DVD, but it is a lot to pay for one CD.It would have been nice if Decca had released it as a single.CD22 really is indispensible. It includes eight works new to Curzon's recorded repertoire:- Beethoven: Bagatelle, Op.129 "Rage Over a Lost Penny"- Brahms: Op.76,No.2; Op.79,No.2; and Op.118,No.6- Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. Posthumous [OK, ONE WORK BY CHOPIN - NEVER PUBLISHED, THOUGH]- Liszt: Mephisto Waltz; Sonetto 104 del Petrarca- Medtner: Skazka, Op.26,No.32) The previous four boxes each came with a booklet of analytical notes about the music and performances.The new box has only one general article about Curzon - reprinted from the 2007 DVD.3) The compositions on CDs 1-21 are presented in their original CD sequence. Which is a mess.Decca missed an opportunity to re-couple the works alphabetically or chronologically.That said, they could have redeemed themselves by including an index to the works. No such luck.The contents list on the back of the box is all there is. A mess and a pain in the butt.Buy it anyway.* I admit I'm an American. I don't have a squiggly L with a line through it on my keyboard.Comment | Looking for voting buttons? Sorry, we don't let customers vote on their own reviews.

Returning to this set eighteen months after buying it, I wondered how I came to buy it at all. I think it was having heard of this set on Radio 3's CD Review programme and on the strength of that alone, rather than being a Curzon fan; in fact having little knowledge about him. I played though the discs and, with the exception of the Emperor concerto, it did not make much of an impact on me. I've recently been dipping into this again but am still not very taken with much of it. With hindsight, I would say this purchase was a mistake.UPDATE: summarising the above, I would say the message to take away from this is that if you are a Curzon fan, this set may be a gold mine. If you are a casual listener without a special interest in these historic performances you may need to assess whether Curzon's playing is something that will appeal to you before buying this comprehensive box set of all his performances.

Clifford Curzon war wohl ein sehr uneitler Mensch und Künstler, der (nichtsdestotrotz?!) über ein immenses pianistisches Können verfügte und die gesamte Bandbreite interpretatorischer Reife zur Verfügung hatte. So mag man seinen ungemein subtilen Anschlag und seine lyrischen Fähigkeiten bei den Mozart-Konzerten bewundern (vielfach Aufnahmen für die einsame Insel und in einem Atemzug mit den Aufnahmen eines Schnabel, einer Haskil, eines Solomon zu nennen), oder aber die kraftvolle Art, sich Brahms zu nähern, den er sehr dramatisch/leidenschaftlich nimmt, ohne auch hier nicht die lyrischen Passagen nachgeradezu zauberhaft wiederzugeben. Seine Beethoven-Auseinandersetzungen gemeinsam mit Knapperstbusch sind zu recht legendär, auch hier welche kraftvolle Attitüde auf der einen Seite und welcher Atem in den langsamen Sätzen. Fast staunend dann seine Tschaikowsky-Exegese mit dem jungen Solti, fast bis zur Raserei getrieben, sicherlich nicht immer exakt, auch nicht immer subtil, aber welches Feuer, welche Dramatik, welch atemloses Musizieren. Rachmaninov 2 mag von Richter noch subtiler und stimmiger gespielt worden sein, aber dieser Vergleich findet dann schon auf dem allerhöchsten Niveau statt. Auch seine Schubert-Interpretationen sind von hoher Klasse, zu einer Zeit, als Schubert als Klavier-Komponist weitestgehend vergessen war.Manche Konzerte sind auch in zwei Versionen vorhanden und lassen interessante Vergleiche zu, wobei sich Curzon im Grunde jeweils treu bleibt.die Comprimarii sind von unterschiedlicher Qualität, manches Orchester ist nicht ganz auf der Höhe des Solisten - sei's drum.In der Summe bildet diese Box einen der ganz Großen der Pianisten ab (auch wenn natürlich nicht alles gleich gelungen sein mag) und ist für Klavierliebhaber ein absolutes Muss. Wobei die frühen Aufnahmen erwartungsgemäß klanglich weniger überzeugen als die späteren Aufnahmen. Gleichbleibend hoch also (nur) die Qualität des Klavierspiels von C. Curzon.

以前、偶然モーツアルトの協奏曲23番を彼の演奏で聞いて、見つけると集めてました。今は良い時代で安価にコンプリート出来ます。単に心地よい音楽が多くなるなか、Curzonの演奏には精神があります。素晴らしい。

It occurs to me that if you wanted to give a lecture on the art of piano playing you could use this set for demonstration purposes. Play any track and you will hear the definition of “musicianship”: a performer placing his prodigious talent totally at the service of the music he is playing, from his heartbreaking performance of the last of Schubert’s Moments Musicaux to his trilling performance of the last movement of the Wanderer Fantasy. Don’t let the fact that Clifford Curzon looked like an Oxford don about to deliver a lecture on “the Historical Precedents of the Heroic Couplet” fool you; he played like a man possessed by the music. The following are the best performances of the works I’ve ever heard:Liszt Piano Sonata. I don’t know how many performances of this work I’ve heard, but Curzon’s captures every aspect of this sprawling work.Schumann Kinderszenen: There are two performances included: a cd and a dvd. Either will do as an all-time best, but the DVD performance seems to me just a little better.Schubert: Take your pick here. The D major Sonata, Moments Musicaux, Wanderer Fantasy, Trout Quintet are all incomparable. Curzon’s understanding of Schubert’s particular sound world surpasses that of any other pianist I’ve heard.Mozart: All the concerto performances are excellent, but I would single out the ones with Kertesz, the C minor in particular.Franck: Piano quintetThese are just a few of the treasures. There are three performances of the Brahms D minor concerto. I prefer the performance with van Beinem to the classic with Szell because I find the second movement of the latter a little too slow for comfort. There’s also a very militant performance of the Brahms B flat with Knappertsbusch, a couple of great Griegs, etc.Why go on? The sound varies, but the recordings are never a problem. Curzon was clearly one of the greats. Too bad he didn’t record more. But we should treasure what we have.

Voila une intégrale bienvenue que DECCA sort judicieusement de ses cartons, ce ne sont que des enregistrements de qualité de l'immense pianiste (dont de nombreux introuvables). Ses concertos de Beethoven avec Knappertsbusch sont fabuleux tout comme les deux concertos de Brahms, pour moi la meilleure version jamais enregistrée. Vous entendrez également des variations Eroïques plus que palpitantes bien que soumis à des tempo distendus.Clifford Curzon Anglais né en 1907 et décédé en 1982 a eu une carrière exceptionnelle. Il enregistre tardivement et toujours chez DECCA. Il saura toujours s'entourer de musiciens exceptionnels comme Szell ou Fistoulari.Un coffret qui vous permettra d'entrevoir le génie du pianiste qui restera un des grands pianistes du 20eme siècle.Ci-dessous la liste de tous ses enregistrements présent dans le coffretCD 1: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsLudwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -"Emperor"1.1. Allegro 20:062.2. Adagio un poco mosso 8:093.3. Rondo (Allegro) 0:07Clifford Curzon, London Philharmonic Orchestra, George SzellPeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.234.1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito 19:215.2. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I 6:526.3. Allegro con fuoco 6:55Clifford Curzon, New Symphony Orchestra, George SzellDurée totale de lecture 1:11:30CD 2: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsFranz Schubert (1797 - 1828)4 Impromptus Op.142, D.9351.No.1 in F minor: Allegro moderato 9:172. No.2 in A flat: Allegretto 6:293.No.3 in B flat: Theme (Andante) with Variations 10:594.No.4 in F minor: Allegro scherzando 6:48Piano Sonata No.17 in D, D.8505.1. Allegro vivace 6:336.2. Con moto 13:067.3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) 8:108.4. Rondo (Allegro moderato) 7:58Clifford CurzonDurée totale de lecture 1:09:20CD 3: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K.4881.1. Allegro 11:032.2. Adagio 7:193.3. Allegro assai 7:47Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat, K.5954. 1. Allegro 14:075.2. Larghetto 9:076.3. Allegro 8:31Clifford Curzon, Wiener Philharmoniker, George SzellDurée totale de lecture 57:54CD 4: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsCésar Franck (1822 - 1890)1.Variations symphoniques 15:25Henry Litolff (1818 - 1891)Concerto Symphonique No.4, Op.1022.Scherzo 7:26Clifford Curzon, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Adrian BoultManuel de Falla (1876 - 1946)Nights in the Gardens of Spain3.1. En el generalife 10:334.2. Danza lejana 5:445.3. En los jardines de la Sierra de Cordoba 8:31Clifford Curzon, New Symphony Orchestra, Enrique JordaAlan Rawsthorne (1905 - 1971)Piano Concerto No.26.1. Allegro piacevole 8:427.2. Allegro molto 4:528.3. Intermezzo 7:429.4. Allegro 6:16Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, Malcolm SargentDurée totale de lecture 1:15:11CD 5: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsFranz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer" Arr. Liszt for Piano & Orchestra1.1. Allegro con fuoco 5:472.2. Adagio 6:523.3. Presto 1:514.4. Allegro 5:24Clifford Curzon, Queens Hall Orchestra, Henry WoodWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Quartet No.1 in G minor, K.4785.1. Allegro 7:506.2. Andante 8:207.3. Rondo (Allegro moderato) 7:00Piano Quartet No.2 in E flat, K.4938.1. Allegro 7:469.2. Larghetto 7:4810.3. Allegretto 7:52Clifford Curzon, Members of the Amadeus QuartetDurée totale de lecture 1:06:30CD 6: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K.4881.1. Allegro 10:362.2. Adagio 6:363.3. Allegro assai 7:33Clifford Curzon, National Symphony Orchestra, Boyd NeelJohannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor, Op.154.1. Maestoso - Poco più moderato 21:215.2. Adagio 14:176.3. Rondo (Allegro non troppo) 10:54Clifford Curzon, National Symphony Orchestra, Enrique JordaDurée totale de lecture 1:11:17CD 7: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsPeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, Op.231.1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito 20:492.2. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I 7:093.3. Allegro con fuoco 6:48Clifford Curzon, Wiener Philharmoniker, Georg SoltiSergey Vasil'yevich Rachmaninov (1873 - 1943)Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor, Op.184.1. Moderato 10:415.2. Adagio sostenuto 11:126.3. Allegro scherzando 12:12Clifford Curzon, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Adrian BoultDurée totale de lecture 1:08:51CD 8: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsEdvard Grieg (1843 - 1907)Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.161.1. Allegro molto moderato 12:442.2. Adagio 6:073.3. Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Quasi presto - Andante maestoso 10:22Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, Oivin FjeldstadJohannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)Piano Concerto No.2 in B flat, Op.834.1. Allegro non troppo 17:065.2. Allegro appassionato 9:076.3. Andante - Più adagio 12:427.4. Allegretto grazioso - Un poco più presto 9:28Clifford Curzon, Wiener Philharmoniker, Hans KnappertsbuschDurée totale de lecture 1:17:36CD 9: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsLudwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.581.1. Allegro moderato18:422.2. Andante con moto 5:033.3. Rondo (Vivace) 9:59Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 -"Emperor »4.1. Allegro 19:595.2. Adagio un poco mosso 8:176.3. Rondo (Allegro) 10:39Clifford Curzon, Wiener Philharmoniker, Hans KnappertsbuschDurée totale de lecture 1:12:39CD 10: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsFranz Schubert (1797 - 1828)1.Impromptu in C minor, D.899 No 1 9:062.Impromptu in E flat, D.899 No.2 3:463.Impromptu in G flat, D.899 No.3 4:554.Impromptu in A flat, D.899 No.4 6:49Clifford CurzonWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K.4885.1. Allegro 11:206.2. Adagio 6:317.3. Allegro assai 7:52Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor, K.4918.1. (Allegro) 13:109.2. Larghetto 7:3910.3. (Allegretto) 8:31Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, Josef KripsDurée totale de lecture 1:19:39CD 11: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsRobert Schumann (1810 - 1856)Fantasie in C, Op.171.1. Durchaus fantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen - Im Legenden-Ton 12:352.2. Mäßig. Durchaus energisch - Etwas langsamer - Vielbewegter7:573.3. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten - Etwas bewegter 10:05Kinderszenen, Op.154.1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen 1:385.2. Kuriose Geschichte 1:036.3. Hasche-Mann 0:337.4. Bittendes Kind 1:008.5. Glückes genug 0:499.6. Wichtige Begebenheit 0:4910.7. Träumerei 3:0311.8. Am Kamin 0:5912.9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd 0:4013.10. Fast zu ernst 1:4114.11. Fürchtenmachen 1:2615.12. Kind im Einschlummern 2:0916.13. Der Dichter spricht 2:15Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Fantasia for Piano in C, D.760 (Op.15) "Wanderer-Fantasie"17. Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo 5:5718.Adagio 7:2519.Presto 4:3420. Allegro 3:27Clifford CurzonDurée totale de lecture 1:10:05CD 12: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsJohannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor, Op.151.1. Maestoso - Poco più moderato 21:342.2. Adagio 13:303.3. Rondo (Allegro non troppo) 11:59Clifford Curzon, Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Eduard van BeinumEdvard Grieg (1843 - 1907)Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.164.1. Allegro molto moderato 12:525.2. Adagio 7:266.3. Allegro moderato molto e marcato - Quasi presto - Andante maestoso 10:42Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, Anatole FistoulariDurée totale de lecture 1:18:03CD 13: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsFranz Liszt (1811 - 1886)Piano Sonata in B minor, S.1781.Lento assai - Allegro energico - Grandioso – Recitativo 11:492.Andante sostenuto - 7:043.Allegro energico - Andante sostenuto - Lento assai 10:294.Liebestraum No.3 in A flat, S.541 No.3 4:485.Valse oubliée No.1 in F sharp, S.215 3:126.Gnomenreigen 3:157.Berceuse, S174 9:03Clifford CurzonDurée totale de lecture 49:40CD 14: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsAntonín Dvorák (1841 - 1904)Piano Quintet in A, Op.811.1. Allegro, ma non tanto 10:112.2. Dumka (Andante con moto) 13:283.3. Scherzo (Furiant) (Molto vivace) 4:144.4. Finale (Allegro) 7:33Vienna Philharmonic Quartet, Clifford CurzonCésar Franck (1822 - 1890)Piano Quintet in F minor5.1. Molto moderato quasi lento – Allegro 15:256.2. Lento, con molto sentimento 10:017.3. Allegro con troppo ma non fuoco 8:11Clifford Curzon, Vienna Philharmonic QuartetDurée totale de lecture 1:09:03CD 15: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Concerto No.23 in A, K.4881.1. Allegro11:182.2. Adagio 7:023.3. Allegro assai 8:14Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor, K.4914.1. (Allegro) 13:095.2. Larghetto 7:416.3. (Allegretto) 8:52Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, István KertészDurée totale de lecture 56:16CD 16: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Concerto No.26 in D, K.537 "Coronation"1.1. Allegro 14:102.2. (Larghetto) 7:123.3. (Allegretto) 9:45Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat, K.5954.1. Allegro 13:425.2. Larghetto 8:276.3. Allegro 8:21Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, István KertészDurée totale de lecture 1:01:37CD 17: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsJohannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)Piano Concerto No.1 in D minor, Op.151.1. Maestoso - Poco più moderato 22:092.2. Adagio 16:013.3. Rondo (Allegro non troppo) 11:55Clifford Curzon, London Symphony Orchestra, George SzellLiebeslieder-Walzer, Op.52Verses from "Polydora"4.1. Rede, Mädchen, allzu liebes 1:135.2. Am Gesteine rauscht die Flut 0:45Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál6.3. O die Frauen, o die Frauen 1:06Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál7. 4. Wie des Abends schöne Röte 0:51Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál8.5. Die grüne Hopfenranke 1:399.6. Ein kleiner, hübscher Vogel nahm den Flug 2:38Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál10. 7. Wohl schön bewandt war es vorehe 1:29Irmgard Seefried, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál11.8. Wenn so lind dein Auge mir 1:3312.9. Am Donaustrande, da steht ein Haus 2:1113.10. O wie sanft die Quelle sich 1:03Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál14.11. Nein, es ist nicht auszukommen 0:51Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál, Horst Günther15.12. Schlosser auf! und mache Schlösser 0:42Horst Gunter, Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál16.13. Vögelein durchrauscht die Luft 0:45Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál17.14. Sieh, wie ist die Welle klar 0:58Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál18.15. Nachtigall, sie singt so schön 1:1419.16. Ein dunkler Schacht ist Liebe 1:18Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál20.17. Nicht wandle, mein Licht, dort aussen 1:51Julius Patzak, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál21.18. Es bebet das Gesträuche 1:25Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Horst Günther, Clifford Curzon, Hans GálNeue Liebeslieder Waltzer, Op.6522.15. Zum Schluss2:28Irmgard Seefried, Kathleen Ferrier, Julius Patzak, Clifford Curzon, Hans Gál, Horst GüntherDurée totale de lecture 1:16:05CD 18: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsFranz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Piano Quintet in A, D.667 - "The Trout"1.1. Allegro vivace 9:082.2. Andante 7:273.3. Scherzo (Presto) 4:114.4. Thema - Andantino - Variazioni I-V – Allegretto 7:335.5. Finale (Allegro giusto) 7:01Clifford Curzon, Members Of The Wiener OktettBenjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)6.Introduction and Rondo alla burlesca, Op.23, No.1 8:567.Mazurka elegiaca, Op.23, No.2 7:34Clifford Curzon, Benjamin BrittenWillem Pijper (1894 – 1947)8.Symphony No.3 13:46Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Clifford Curzon, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Eduard van BeinumDurée totale de lecture 1:05:36CD 19: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsFranz Schubert (1797 - 1828)4 Impromptus, Op.90, D.8991.No.3 in G flat: Andante5:242.No.4 in A flat: Allegretto7:323.Impromptu in A flat, D.935 No.2 7:486 Moments musicaux, Op.94 D.7804.No.1 in C (Moderato) 5:055.No.2 in A flat (Andantino) 6:386.No.3 in F minor (Allegro moderato) 1:547.No.4 in C sharp minor (Moderato) 4:188.No.5 in F minor (Allegro vivace) 2:109.No.6 in A flat (Allegretto) 7:44Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)15 Piano Variations and Fugue in E flat, Op.35 -"Eroica Variations"10.Introduzione col Basso del Tema: Allegretto vivace 3:3111.Variation 1 0:3812.Variation 2 0:5613.Variation 3 0:4114.Variation 4 0:3815.Variation 5 0:4716.Variation 6 0:3817.Variation 7 Canone all'Ottava 0:4218.Variation 8 0:5419.Variation 9 0:4020.Variation 10 0:4221.Variation 11 0:4722.Variation 12 0:3823.Variation 13 0:4124.Variation 14 Minore 1:1625.Variation 15 Maggiore. Largo 5:3026.Finale. Alla Fuga. Allegro con brio 4:34Clifford CurzonDurée totale de lecture 1:12:46CD 20: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsJohannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)Piano Sonata No.3 in F minor, Op.51.1. Allegro maestoso 7:342.2. Andante espressivo 11:443.3. Scherzo (Allegro energico) 4:504.4. Intermezzo (Andante molto) 3:485.5. Finale (Allegro moderato ma rubato) 7:28Intermezzi, Op.1176.1. in E flat major 4:444 Piano Pieces, Op.1197.3. Intermezzo in C 1:37Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.9608.1. Molto moderato 13:169.2. Andante sostenuto 9:1710.3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace con delicatezza) 4:1411.4. Allegro ma non troppo 7:38Clifford CurzonDurée totale de lecture 1:16:10CD 21: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, K.4661.1. Allegro15:062.2. Romance 10:023.3. Rondo (Allegro assai) 7:52Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat, K.5954.1. Allegro 14:205.2. Larghetto 8:576.3. Allegro 8:46Clifford Curzon, English Chamber Orchestra, Benjamin BrittenDurée totale de lecture 1:05:03CD 22: Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete RecordingsLudwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)1.Rondo a capriccio in G, Op.129 "Die Wut über den verlornen Groschen" for piano 5:20Nicolai Karlovich Medtner (1880 - 1951)Four Fairy Tales (Skazki), Op.262.No.3 in F minor 2:28Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886)Années de pèlerinage: 2ème année: Italie, S.1613.5. Sonetto 104 del Petrarca 6:47Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897)8 Piano Pieces, Op.764.2. Capriccio in B minor 2:514 Piano Pieces, Op.1195.3. Intermezzo in C 1:256 Piano Pieces, Op.1186.6. Intermezzo in E flat minor 4:522 Rhapsodies op.797.No.2 in G minor, op.79/2 4:25Intermezzi, Op.1178.1. in E flat major 4:56Franz Liszt (1811 - 1886)9.Mephisto Waltz No.1 S514 10:1510.Liebestraum No.3 in A flat, S.541 No.3 4:53Frédéric Chopin (1810 - 1849)11.Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth. 4:26Clifford CurzonManuel de Falla (1876 - 1946)Nights in the Gardens of Spain12.1. En el generalife 10:0213. 2. Danza lejana 4:2214.3. En los jardines de la Sierra de Cordoba 8:44Clifford Curzon, National Symphony Orchestra, Enrique JordaDurée totale de lecture 1:15:46CD 23: Clifford Curzon Edition: The Complete Decca Recordings1. This Week Our Castaway Is the Concert Pianist Sir Clifford Curzon 4:162. For Number Two, I Think... 4:083.You're A Londoner, Aren't You, Sir Clifford? 5:054.You Were Only Sixteen, I Believe..." 6:455.Record Number Five... 2:106. You Love Playing Chamber Music, Don't You? 5:267. What I Like To Do Is To Get Rid Of My Records... 2:568.For My Last Record I'd Like... 4:33Roy Plomley, Clifford CurzonClifford Curzon on Schnabel9."Clifford Curzon, your teachers..." 6:5310."Just now you mentioned Schnabel's teacher..." 3:0311."You've only touched on Schnabel's qualities..." 2:3812."One of his lesser known qualities..." 3:5913."Wouldn't this be a good moment..." 2:2814."Wasn't that wonderful?" 2:3815. "As he had the pick of the world's talent" 3:54Alan Blyth, Clifford Curzon16."Clifford, it's just over twenty years now..." 4:2917."What made him, in many ways, the ideal..." 3:34Clifford Curzon, Alan Blyth18."Finally, Clifford, what are your memories..." 7:41Alan Blyth, Clifford CurzonDurée totale de lecture 1:16:36DVD 24: Clifford Curzon Edition: The Complete Decca RecordingsRobert Schumann (1810 - 1856)Kinderszenen, Op.151.1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen 1:312.2. Kuriose Geschichte 1:003.3. Hasche-Mann 0:284.4. Bittendes Kind 0:515.5. Glückes genug 1:156. 6. Wichtige Begebenheit 0:467.7. Träumerei 2:428.8. Am Kamin 0:509.9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd 0:3610.10. Fast zu ernst 1:2711.11. Fürchtenmachen 1:1812.12. Kind im Einschlummern 1:5613. 13. Der Dichter spricht 2:04Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)Fantasias (7 Piano Pieces), Op.11614.1. Capriccio in D minor 2:04Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)6 Moments musicaux, Op.94 D.78015.No.3 in F minor (Allegro moderato) 2:034 Impromptus, Op.90, D.89916.No.4 in A flat: Allegretto 6:3817.Introduction to Schubert Piano Sonata No.21 0:28Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.96018.1. Molto moderato 12:4219.2. Andante sostenuto 9:2620.3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace con delicatezza) 4:0821.4. Allegro ma non troppo 7:35Arthur Schnabel as a Teacher22. You won't ever be a pianist... 6:2523. On the subject of editions... 1:3824. Schnabel's peculiar excellence as a teacher... 5:2625. His physical gifts were no less unusual than his mental... 4:0526. Technique: in the usual sense of pianistic facility... 5:02Personalities in British Music: Clifford Curzon27. The main musical influence in my life... 3:2828. I think the people who criticise Schnabel... 1:0929. Sir Henry Wood helped me a great deal... 1:3930. What do you think of the influence of... 3:1131. I certainly have a favourite composer... 1:42Clifford Curzon talking about Sir Henry Wood32. Sir Henry Wood has had a strong influence on my life... 4:3233. As a human being... 2:1534. As a great conductor... 1:56Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal Ceremony 198035. It's my pleasant duty... 0:5736. The Gold Medal... 2:5137. Sir Michael, friends and colleagues... 7:35Clifford Curzon extemporises38. In 1981, just the year before Clifford died... 1:3939. I've known people who, at about the age of three... 1:0440. Teaching is a tricky subject indeed... 3:2941. Another thing that a lot of people don't realise... 1:2742. Back to performing though... 2:23Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)Piano Sonata No.17 in D, D.85043. 1. Allegro vivace 6:3444. 2. Con moto 13:0245. 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace) 8:0746.4. Rondo (Allegro moderato) 7:55Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat, D.96047. 1. Molto moderato 13:1248. 2. Andante sostenuto 9:1749. 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace con delicatezza) 14:1450.4. Allegro ma non troppo 7:39Clifford Curzon

Curzon è stato una delle glorie nazionali inglesi, in un periodo, gli anni 50-60 del 1900, davvero felice per la Gran Bretagna per quanto riguarda i grandi interpreti e compositori (in testa a tutti Britten). La Decca pubblica adesso, in occasione del centenario della nascita, l'integrale delle registrazioni ed è stata per me una vera sorpresa scoprire quante perle rare e straordinarie mi ero perso fino ad ora! In questo bel box ci sono ben 23 CD, quindi non sto a fare l'elenco completo, ma segnalo i brani più pregevoli per i quali vale davvero l'acquisto, almeno da parte degli appassionati più esperti e navigati.I concerti di Beethoven 4 e 5, con Szell alla testa dei Wiener Philarmoniker, interpretazioni che lasciano a bocca aperta (anche per la qualità tecnica, in stereo il 5 e mono il 4). Ma poi è il primo concerto di Brahms per piano e orchestra a lasdiare davvero stupiti: ci si chiede come mai non sia citato mai fra le migliori 5 incisioni di riferimento! D'ora in poi per me sarà così! Incisone con la London Symphony, guidata sempre da Szell, tecnicamente davvero perfetta. Peccato invece che sia Mono la splendida versione del secondo concerto di Brahms, registrata con i Wiener e Knepperbush come direttore, ma anche questa un'interpretazione superba.Tanto Mozart, i concerti della maturità, registrati più volte, in mono e in stereo, con i grandi nomi dello star system direttoriale di allora, ad iniziare da Krips e a finire con Britten, tutte versioni straordinarie da ascoltare con reverenza per il tocco sempre limpido e cristallino, lieve e delicato quando è il caso, energico e vitale al momento giusto. E questo vale anche per il tanto Schubert contenuto nel cofanetto e la molta musica da camera. Ultima perla che segnalo è la sonata in Si minore di Liszt, memorabile per virtuosismo e chiarezza interpretativa, tanto da mettere in discussione i miei riferimenti fino ad ora (Richter, Pollini, Zimmerman e la Argerich)!Insomma una bellissima raccolta, per le/gli appassionate/i più esperte/i che cercano valide alternative ai soliti nomi...no, non per snobismo, ma per conoscere grandi artisti che hanno lasciato un segno e che sono stati un pò dimenticati solo per motivi commerciali o per disattenzione! Buon ascolto...