Schubert: Wanderer-Fantasie; Schumann / Clifford Curzon
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Free Music Notes for Schubert: Wanderer-Fantasie; Schumann / Clifford Curzon
Free Music Review: First rate.
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD has two technically demanding and overtly "public" pieces - Schumann's C major Fantasie and the Schubert Wanderer-Fantasie - sandwiching the intimate and contemplatively personal Kinderszenen; all wonderful pieces wonderfully played by Clifford Curzon in 1949 and 1954.
Any perceived shortcomings of the monaural recording quality quickly evaporate before Curzon's spellbinding interpretations. It is not surprising that Decca chose to include these recitals in its "Legendary Performances" series for they are indeed legendary. What is surprising is that there is no biographical material supplied in respect of "The Legend" - a strange omission. One should not have to refer to other sources for the most basic information on the performing artist.
Clifford Curzon was, perhaps, the best British pianist of his generation - I say "perhaps" as Solomon has a legitimate claim to this title - and had a particular empathy with the music of both Schumann and Schubert. That empathy is very evident in these recordings which, despite their venerability and competition from later offerings, remain my favourite.
This CD has my five-star commendation.
Free Music Review: A classic recording from Curzon
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: Few Great Pianists Sound like Him, If At All
Hit: 5 Stars
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.Free Music Review: Inspiring
Hit: 5 Stars
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.)