The Classic Sound - Mozart: Piano Concertos 23 & 24 / Curzon

Mozart (Artist), Curzon (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000042FW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #611,411 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No. 23 K. 488: Allegro

2. Piano Concerto No. 23 K. 488: Adagio

3. Piano Concerto No. 23 K. 488: Allegro assai

4. Piano Concerto No. 24 K. 491: Allegro

5. Piano Concerto No. 24 K. 491: Larghetto

6. Piano Concerto No. 24 K. 491: Allegretto

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Clifford Curzon was a very special Mozartean, a pianist of exceptional ability who played with the utmost refinement and communicated profound insights into the music. He was high-strung and tended to be nervous in front of microphones. But these readings of two of Mozart's greatest concertos, recorded near the end of his life under ideal circumstances, must be counted among the most impressive in the catalogue. A share of the credit belongs to István Kertész, whose sensitivity to Mozart made him an extraordinary accomplice. The playing of the London Symphony is at a high level throughout, and the recording sounds wonderfully alive, especially in this latest remastering. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Mozart playing, March 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Classic Sound - Mozart: Piano Concertos 23 & 24 / Curzon (Audio CD)

The 23rd and 24th piano concertos are among the very best Mozart wrote, and Curzon gives them loving performances, elegant, stylish, and expressive within the classical context. Those who like the leaner, "authenticist" approach may find Curzon's style rather old-fashioned, but it's none the worse for that--this is Mozart playing of insight, eloquence, and style. The recorded sound is outstanding, with an ideal balance between piano and orchestra. However, I would suggest holding out for Decca's Legends release (already available on several other websites and overseas) of those concertos, on 2 CDs and including--in addition to these recordings of 23 and 24--20, 26, and 27. Curzon's recordings of 20 and 27 in particular are classics and well worth acquiring.