Great Pianists 22

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

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000I940
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,689 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Impromptus, D. 935: No. 1 In F Minor: Allegro Moderato

2. Impromptus, D. 935: No. 2 In A Flat: Allegretto

3. Impromptus, D. 935: No. 3 In B Flat: Thema (Andante) mit Variationen

4. Impromptus, D. 935: No. 4 In F Minor: Allegro scherzando

5. Fantasie In C, D.760 'Wanderer-Fantasie'

6. Impromptus, D. 899: No. 1 In C Minor: Allegro molto moderato

7. Impromptus, D. 899: No. 2 In E Flat: Allegro

8. Impromptus, D. 899: No. 3 In G Flat: Andante

9. Impromptus, D. 899: No. 4 In A Flat: Allegretto

Disc: 2

1. Piano Concerto No.26 In D, KV 537 'Coronation': 1. Allegro

2. Piano Concerto No.26 In D, KV 537 'Coronation': 2. Larghetto

3. Piano Concerto No.26 In D, KV 537 'Coronation': 3. Allegretto

4. Piano Concerto No.27 In B flat, KV 595: 1. Allegro

5. Piano Concerto No.27 In B flat, KV 595: 2. Larghetto

6. Piano Concerto No.27 In B flat, KV 595: 3. Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Servant of the Music, May 4, 2003

By 

J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Pianists 22 (Audio CD)

Clifford Curzon (1907-1982) was his own worst critic. Indeed he had problems letting the record companies release his recordings because he would fret about whether they were good enough. They were, of course. He made some of the most beautiful recordings of Schubert, Brahms and especially Mozart of any pianist. These Schubert recordings - the Impromptus, D. 899 & 935, have rarely been equaled for poise and drama. The 'Wanderer' Fantasy was a particular favorite of his - he played it at his London début and was still playing it fifty-plus years later - and this is one of several recordings he made. Each has it rewards; in this one, particularly, the return to C major towards the end is like the heavens opening up. One holds one's breath at its glory.

But the real treasures here are the two Mozart concerti - No. 26, the 'Coronation,' and No. 27 in B flat. The key to his performance of the 'Coronation' is that he is totally unhurried; this concerto, whose mood is one of jubilation, is often played too fast. The mood here is unfettered joy, not frenzied excitement. One plus is that he uses the first movement cadenza by Wanda Landowska (with whom he studied) with its sly quotes from 'The Marriage of Figaro.'

This recording of the Concerto No. 27 may suffer slightly by being compared to the one he made with Benjamin Britten conducting; THAT one is one of the great concerto recordings of all time (and it's available at Amazon[.com], too, along with the equally superb d minor concerto). But this one, with István Kertész (an underrated conductor whose too-early death by drowning robbed us all) has its own felicities. The difference between the two versions, I feel, is that in the Britten recording the Romantic movement is foreshadowed; the thrust is more dramatic, has wider amplitude. The performance on this CD is more classical.

Scott Morrison

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Curzon the best when it comes to Mozart!, December 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Pianists 22 (Audio CD)

With the great chamber musician that he is, Curzon's piano playing is flawless with expressive warmth and virtuoso technique.Indeed a Mozart specialist. His Schubert is just as good and meditative. Kertesz and the London Symphony provide solid backing and the recording is wonderfully playful.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More needed!, August 28, 2010

By 

Grandpa M - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Great Pianists 22 (Audio CD)

Wish this whole series would be rereleased as budget cd package. Would be best seller.