Curzon Plays Grieg and Franck

Immerse yourself in the masterful piano artistry of Sir Clifford Curzon with this exquisite collection, "Curzon Plays Grieg and Franck." Released in 2020, this album showcases the legendary English pianist's virtuosity and deep musical insight. Curzon, one of the most esteemed pianists of the 20th century, delivers a captivating performance that spans a little over 50 minutes, featuring works by Edvard Grieg and César Franck.

The album opens with Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16, a piece that Curzon interprets with a blend of technical brilliance and expressive depth. The concerto's three movements—Allegro Molto Moderato, Adagio, and Allegro Moderato Molto e Marcato—highlight Curzon's ability to navigate the work's intricate passages with ease and elegance. Following this, Curzon presents Franck's Variations Symphoniques, a piece that showcases his mastery of the piano's dynamic range and tonal colors.

The album concludes with a Scherzo from Litolff's Concerto Symphonique, No. 4, Op. 102, adding a playful and energetic finale to the collection. Throughout the album, Curzon's playing is marked by a refined touch and a keen sense of phrasing, making this recording a treasure for classical piano enthusiasts. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Curzon's work or a newcomer to his artistry, this album offers a profound and enriching listening experience.

Sir Clifford Curzon, born Clifford Michael Siegenberg, was a distinguished English classical pianist renowned for his virtuosic technique and profound musical insight. Born in London in 1907, Curzon began his piano studies at the age of six, drawn to the instrument for its solitary nature. He honed his craft at the Royal Academy of Music in London and later with esteemed teachers such as Artur Schnabel, Wanda Landowska, and Nadia Boulanger.

Curzon's early career was marked by his dynamic performances of Romantic and virtuoso repertoire, as well as his advocacy for modern works. His musical journey was deeply influenced by his family's musical background, with his mother being a talented amateur singer. Throughout his life, Curzon was celebrated for his interpretations of classical piano masterpieces, earning him the title of Britain's only world-class pianist by many music critics.

Curzon's final public appearance in the United States was a memorable performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy in 1978. His legacy endures as a testament to his artistic brilliance and dedication to the piano. Sir Clifford Curzon passed away in London in 1982, leaving behind a rich musical heritage that continues to inspire classical piano enthusiasts worldwide.

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Tracks

More albums by Sir Clifford Curzon

Brahms: Tragic Overture, Piano Concerto No. 2 & Symphony No. 3

Schumann: Quintet in E-flat major

Brahms: The Piano Concertos

Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2; Rawsthorne: Piano Concerto No. 2

Brahms: Liebeslieder-Walzer; Neue Liebeslieder-Walzer

Schubert: Piano Quintet, D. 667 "Trout"; Beethoven: Septet, Op. 20

Clifford Curzon and George Szell Beethoven and Brahms Piano Concertos

George Szell conducts Brahms Violin Concerto and Piano Concerto No. 2 live in New York

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2; Franck: Variations symphoniques; Litolff: Concerto Symphonique No. 4

Bruckner and Mozart complete live concerto conducted by George Szell

Grieg: Concerto pour piano, 10 Mélodies & 3 Pièces pour piano

Brahms: Piano Concertos 1 & 2 by Clifford Curzon

Clifford Curzon - Gold Selection

Szell Conducts Brahms

Clifford Curzon - Piano

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23

George Szell: Concertos & Symphonies

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto, No. 1, in B Flat Minor, Op. 23

More Piano Giants: Clifford Curzon, Vol. 6

Beethoven: Eroica Variations / Schubert: Moments Musicaux / Britten: Introduction & Rondo alla burlesca; Mazurka elegiaca

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 9

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 8

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 7

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 6

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 5

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2

Milestones of a Piano Legend: Sir Clifford Curzon, Vol. 10

Brahms: Piano Works

Grieg Peer Gynt & Piano Concerto in A Minor

Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 & Mozart Piano Concerto No. 27

César Franck: Piano Quintet in F Minor - Symphony in D Minor

Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, "The Trout"

Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2, Op. 81, B. 155, Clifford Curzon vs. Gregor Piatigorsky

Clifford Curzon & Vienna Octet: Piano Quintet in a Major, D. 667, "Trout Quintet"

Schubert: Four Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899, Maria Yudina vs. Clifford Curzon

Schubert: Four Impromptus, Op. 142, D. 935, Rudolf Serkin vs. Clifford Curzon

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27, Robert Casadesus vs. Clifford Curzon

Brahms: Variations On a Theme By Haydn

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 15

Franz Schubert, Vol. 2

Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 83

Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major, Op.73, Emperor

Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings

Falla Vol. 2 - Keyboard Works

Gieg: Piano Concerto in A - Litolff: Concerto Symphonique No. 4 - Franck: Variations Symphoniques

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23, Piano Concerto No. 20, Adagio and Fugue

Piano Classical Best

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About Sir Clifford Curzon

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