Liszt: Petrarch Sonnet 104; Berceuse; Valse oubliée No.1; Sontata in B minor / Haydn: Andante and Va

Although Clifford Curzon (1907-82) enjoyed virtual carte blanche from Decca, his recording company for more than 40 years, the great British pianist made regrettably few records. This BBC Legends disc will, therefore, be greeted warmly by the late pianist's fans. It contains two works he never recorded commercially: Haydn's Variations in F Minor and Liszt's Valse oubliée No. 1. Given Curzon's pre-eminence as an interpreter of the Viennese classics, it is astonishing that the Haydn marks the first appearance by that composer in his discography. Curzon's mastery of nuance makes the variations unfold magically; he invests their sadness with warmth and humanity almost like that of a consoling voice; and his command of structure makes the outburst in the coda seem inevitable as well as powerful. The Valse oubliée is perfectly formed, played with murmuring pedalings, as are the three Schubert impromptus. For most piano aficionados, however, the highpoint of the disc will be the Liszt Sonata. Not long after this performance at the 1961 Edinburgh Festival, Curzon made a studio recording of the Sonata. That performance (still available on a midpriced Decca disc) comes close to perfection in its controlled passion and perfectly executed structural design. This live performance, while just as great, shows a very different Curzon. It is much faster, volcanic in its eruptions of temperament, and less than perfectly executed; along with more than a few missed notes, there are some that Curzon simply neglects to play. But the Edinburgh version must be heard by anyone who cares about the Liszt Sonata. It is as exciting and dramatic as the pianist's studio version is noble and beautiful. --Stephen Wigler