Rating Key: * A dud: not recommended; ** Fair: could be worth a listen; *** A good, solid interpretation: recommended; **** A must-listen: highly recommended; ***** Sublime: A desert-island recording. In addition, for those who wish to focus their listening at a glance, I have highlighted in green what I believe are the “essential” recordings of the pianist (those I think all classical piano lovers should listen to), while those I place in more of an “honorable mention” category are in yellow.1 Primary sources for factual details on Clifford Curzon’s recordings: (1) the Decca Classical discography, accessed on the site of the AHRC Research Centre for the History and Analysis of Recorded Music; (2) the online discography on Youngrok Lee’s music page for Clifford Curzon; (3) the complete discography compiled by John Hunt and published in the book Pianists for the Connoisseur.
| Composer | Work and YouTube Link If Available | Other Performers If Applicable | Source CD Label (Original Record Label If Different) | Source CD Title and Link to Purchase Page | Recording Date (Place) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beethoven | Choral Fantasy in c, Op. 80 | Bernard Haitink: London Philharmonic | BBC Legends | Curzon: Delius Piano Concerto; Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24; Beethoven Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra | January 28, 1970 (live from Royal Festival Hall, London) | *** |
| Beethoven | “Eroica” Variations and Fugue in E-flat, Op. 35 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | December 17–21, 1970 & April 14–17, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | ** | |
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto #4 in G, Op. 58: | Hans Knappertsbusch: Vienna Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | April 4–5, 1954 (Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna) | * |
| I. Allegro moderato | ||||||
| II. Andante con moto | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Vivace | ||||||
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto #4 in G, Op. 58: | Rafael Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | Audite | Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concertos No. 4 G Major & No. 5 E♭ Major | February 14–15, 1977 (live from Herkulessaal, Munich) | * |
| I. Allegro moderato | ||||||
| II. Andante con moto | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Vivace | ||||||
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto #5 in E-flat, Op. 73 (“Emperor”): | George Szell: London Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | September 12–13, 1949 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Adagio un poco mosso | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro | ||||||
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto #5 in E-flat, Op. 73 (“Emperor”): | Hans Knappertsbusch: Vienna Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | June 10–15, 1957 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Adagio un poco mosso | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro | ||||||
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto #5 in E-flat, Op. 73 (“Emperor”) | Pierre Boulez: BBC Symphony Orchestra | BBC Legends | Curzon: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor; Mozart Piano Concerto No. 26 Coronation | February 17, 1971 (live from Royal Festival Hall, London) | *** |
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto #5 in E-flat, Op. 73 (“Emperor”): | Rafael Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | Audite | Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concertos No. 4 G Major & No. 5 E♭ Major | February 14–15, 1977 (live from Herkulessaal, Munich) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Adagio un poco mosso | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro | ||||||
| Beethoven | Rondo a Capriccio in G, Op. 129 (“Rage Over a Lost Penny”) | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings2This 2012 comprehensive limited-edition Curzon set (now long out of print) contains a few of his earlier Decca recordings—generally released posthumously—that were not included on the four separate Decca volumes that are still widely available, at least for streaming purposes. Many of these earlier Decca recordings, including this one, are also available on the more recently released Sir Clifford Curzon: Milestones of a Piano Legend 10-CD set on the Membran (Documents) label, which is in my personal collection. Individual users have also put many of them up on YouTube. | October 29, 1942 (Decca Studios, London) | *** | |
| Boulanger | Three Pieces for Piano and Violin (Nocturne, Cortège, D’un matin du printemps) | Yehudi Menuhin | EMI | Lili Boulanger: Du fond de l’abîme, Psaumes 24 & 129, Vieille prière bouddhique, Pie Jesu, 3 Pièces pour violon et piano | December 27, 1967 (London) | *** |
| Brahms | Capriccio in b, Op. 76/2 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | November 26, 1943 (Decca Studios, London) | *** | |
| Brahms | Capriccio in d, Op. 116/1 | Decca (BBC) | Clifford Curzon: The BBC Recitals | April 2, 1959 (BBC Studios, London) | ** | |
| Brahms | Intermezzo in E-flat, Op. 117/1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | November 26, 1943 (Decca Studios, London) | * | |
| Brahms | Intermezzo in E-flat, Op. 117/1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | December 9–10, 1962 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | * | |
| Brahms | Intermezzo in e-flat, Op. 118/6 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | November 26, 1943 (Decca Studios, London) | *** | |
| Brahms | Intermezzo in C, Op. 119/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | November 26, 1943 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Brahms | Intermezzo in C, Op. 119/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | December 9–10, 1962 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** | |
| Brahms | Piano Concerto #1 in d, Op. 15: | Enrique Jordá: National Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | June 5, 1946 (Kingsway Hall, London) | **** |
| I. Maestoso – Poco più moderato | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro non troppo | ||||||
| Brahms | Piano Concerto #1 in d, Op. 15 | Bruno Walter: New York Philharmonic | Pristine Classical | Walter Conducts Brahms, Volume 33This recording, which was taken from a radio broadcast, was previously unreleased before Pristine Classical published it on CD as well as for streaming purposes. It also appears to be available (with a different album cover) for streaming on Amazon. | February 4, 1951 (live from Carnegie Hall, New York) | ***** |
| Brahms | Piano Concerto #1 in d, Op. 15: | Eduard van Beinum: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | May 1953 (Concertgebouw, Amsterdam) | *** |
| I. Maestoso – Poco più moderato | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro non troppo | ||||||
| Brahms | Piano Concerto #1 in d, Op. 15: | George Szell: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | May 30–June 1, 1962 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| I. Maestoso – Poco più moderato | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro non troppo | ||||||
| Brahms | Piano Concerto #2 in B-flat, Op. 83: | Hans Knappertsbusch: Vienna Philharmonic | Orfeo | Brahms: Tragische Ouverture, Klavierkonzert No. 2, Symphonie No. 3 | July 26, 1955 (live from Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg) | **** |
| I. Allegro non troppo | ||||||
| II. Allegro appassionato | ||||||
| III. Andante | ||||||
| IV. Allegretto grazioso | ||||||
| Brahms | Piano Concerto #2 in B-flat, Op. 83: | Hans Knappertsbusch: Vienna Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | June 21–24, 1957 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | *** |
| I. Allegro non troppo | ||||||
| II. Allegro appassionato | ||||||
| III. Andante | ||||||
| IV. Allegretto grazioso | ||||||
| Brahms | Piano Quartet #2 in A, Op. 26: | Members of Budapest Quartet | Urania (Columbia) | Schumann Piano Quintet Op. 44, Brahms Piano Quartet No. 2 Op. 26, Dvorak Piano Quintet Op. 81, Grieg String Quartet Op. 27 | April 27–28, 1952 (Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.4John Hunt’s discography lists the location of this recording as New York, but Youngrok Lee’s discography, as well as the liner notes and track listing for the 2005 Naxos release, indicate that the recordings were actually made at the U.S. Library of Congress, so I have gone with that indication.) | *** |
| I. Allegro non troppo | ||||||
| II. Poco adagio | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Poco allegro | ||||||
| IV. Finale: Allegro | ||||||
| Brahms | Piano Quintet in f, Op. 34a | Budapest Quartet | Naxos (Columbia) | Brahms Piano Quintet in F Minor, Dvorak Piano Quintet in A Major | May 2–3, 1950 (Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.5John Hunt’s discography lists the location of this recording as New York, but Youngrok Lee’s discography, as well as the liner notes and track listing for the 2005 Naxos release, indicate that the recordings were actually made at the U.S. Library of Congress, so I have gone with that indication.) | **** |
| Brahms | Piano Quintet in f, Op. 34a | Amadeus Quartet | BBC Legends | Amadeus & Curzon: Brahms Piano Quintet, Schubert ‘Trout’ Quintet | November 7, 1974 (live from Royal Festival Hall, London) | **** |
| Brahms | Piano Sonata #3 in f, Op. 5: | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | December 9–10, 1962 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | **** | |
| I. Allegro maestoso | ||||||
| II. Andante espressivo | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Allegro energico | ||||||
| IV. Intermezzo: Andante molto | ||||||
| V. Finale: Allegro moderato ma rubato | ||||||
| Brahms | Rhapsody in g, Op. 79/2 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | November 26, 1943 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Britten | Introduction and Rondo Burlesca for Two Pianos, Op. 23/1 | Benjamin Britten | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | January 5, 1944 (Decca Studios, London) | ** |
| Britten | Mazurka Elegiaca for Two Pianos, Op. 23/2 | Benjamin Britten | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | January 5, 1944 (Decca Studios, London) | ** |
| Chopin | Nocturne in c-sharp, Op. Post. | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | July 21, 1949 (Decca Studios, London) | * | |
| Delius | Piano Concerto in c | Sir John Pritchard: BBC Symphony Orchestra | BBC Legends | Curzon: Delius Piano Concerto; Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24; Beethoven Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra | September 3, 1981 (live from Royal Albert Hall, London) | *** |
| Dvořák | Piano Quintet #2 in A, Op. 81: | Budapest Quartet | Urania (Columbia) | Schumann Piano Quintet Op. 44, Brahms Piano Quartet No. 2 Op. 26, Dvorak Piano Quintet Op. 81, Grieg String Quartet Op. 27 | April 18–19, 1953 (Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.6John Hunt’s discography lists the location of this recording as New York, but Youngrok Lee’s discography, as well as the liner notes and track listing for the 2005 Naxos release, indicate that the recordings were actually made at the U.S. Library of Congress, so I have gone with that indication.) | **** |
| I. Allegro ma non tanto | ||||||
| II. Dumka: Andante con moto | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Furiant (Molto vivace) | ||||||
| IV. Finale: Allegro | ||||||
| Dvořák | Piano Quintet #2 in A, Op. 81: | Vienna Philharmonic Quartet | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | October 29, 1962 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | *** |
| I. Allegro ma non tanto | ||||||
| II. Dumka: Andante con moto | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Furiant (Molto vivace) | ||||||
| IV. Finale: Allegro | ||||||
| Falla | Nights in the Gardens of Spain | Enrique Jordá: National Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | September 26, 1945 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| Falla | Nights in the Gardens of Spain: | Enrique Jordá: New Symphony of London | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | July 2, 1951 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| 1. En al generalife | ||||||
| 2. Danza lejana | ||||||
| 3. En los jardines de la Sierra de Córdoba | ||||||
| Franck | Piano Quintet in f:7Incorrectly listed as in F major on YouTube. | Budapest Quartet | Urania (Columbia) | Franck Piano Quintet in F Minor, Faure Piano Quartet in C Minor8The Budapest Quartet’s performance of the Fauré quartet on this Urania release is not with Curzon but with the Puerto Rican pianist Jesús María Sanromá. | October 3, 1956 (live from Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.) | ***** |
| I. Molto moderato quasi lento – Allegro | ||||||
| II. Lento con molto sentimento | ||||||
| III. Allegro non troppo, ma con fuoco | ||||||
| Franck | Piano Quintet in f | Amadeus Quartet | BBC Legends | Amadeus Quartet: Mozart Clarinet Quintet, Franck Piano Quintet, R. Strauss Prelude to ‘Capriccio’ | June 21, 1960 (live from Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | **** |
| Franck | Piano Quintet in f: | Vienna Philharmonic Quartet | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | October 16, 1960 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | *** |
| I. Molto moderato quasi lento – Allegro | ||||||
| II. Lento con molto sentimento | ||||||
| III. Allegro non troppo, ma con fuoco | ||||||
| Franck | Variations symphoniques | Sir Adrian Boult: London Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 14–15, 1955 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| Grieg | Piano Concerto in a, Op. 16: | Anatole Fistoulari: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | October 15–16, 1951 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| I. Allegro molto moderato | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato – Quasi presto – Andante maestoso | ||||||
| Grieg | Piano Concerto in a, Op. 16: | Øivin Fjeldstad: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | June 22–23, 1959 (Kingsway Hall, London) | **** |
| I. Allegro molto moderato | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato – Quasi presto – Andante maestoso | ||||||
| Haydn | Andante con variazioni in f, Hob. XVII/6 | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | March 30, 1961 (BBC Studios, London) | ** | |
| Liszt | Berceuse | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | September 5, 1961 (live from Leith Town Hall, Edinburgh) | **** | |
| Liszt9Decca’s discography lists Curzon’s 1960s studio Liszt recordings as having been recorded in either April or September of 1947 and marks both months as uncertain; I have gone with the latter, which also matches up with Youngrok Lee’s discography. | Berceuse | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 1963 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | **** | |
| Liszt | Gnomenreigen | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 1963 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** | |
| Liszt | Liebestraum #3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | September 9, 1947 (Decca Studios, London) | *** | |
| Liszt | Liebestraum #3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 1963 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | *** | |
| Liszt | Mephisto Waltz #1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | September 9, 1947 (Decca Studios, London) | *** | |
| Liszt | Piano Sonata in b | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | September 5, 1961 (live from Leith Town Hall, Edinburgh) | *** | |
| Liszt | Piano Sonata in b: | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 1963 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| I. Lento assai – Allegro energico – Grandioso – Recitativo | ||||||
| II. Andante sostenuto | ||||||
| III. Allegro energico – Andante sostenuto – Lento assai | ||||||
| Liszt | Sonetto 104 del Petrarca | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | October 29, 1942 (Decca Studios, London) | *** | |
| Liszt | Sonetto 104 del Petrarca | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | September 5, 1961 (live from Leith Town Hall, Edinburgh) | *** | |
| Liszt | Valse oubliée #1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 1963 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | * | |
| Liszt | Valse oubliée #1 | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | September 5, 1961 (live from Leith Town Hall, Edinburgh) | *** | |
| Litolff | Scherzo from Concerto Symphonique #4 | Sir Adrian Boult: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 14–15, 1958 (Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London) | **** |
| Medtner | Fairy Tale in f, Op. 26/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon Edition: Complete Recordings | October 29, 1942 (Decca Studios, London) | **** | |
| Mozart | Concerto for Two Pianos in E-flat, K. 365 | Daniel Barenboim: piano II and English Chamber Orchestra | BBC Legends | Curzon & Barenboim: Mozart Double Concerto, Piano Concerto No. 27, Sonata for 2 Pianos | September 11, 1979 (live from Royal Albert Hall, London) | * |
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #20 in d, K. 466: | Benjamin Britten: English Chamber Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | September 24–25, 1970 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Romance | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #21 in C, K. 467: | Armin Jordan: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra | Claves [digital-only release] | Mozart Piano Concerto in C Major, K. 467 | June 3, 1980 (live from Lausanne, Switzerland) | * |
| I. Allegro maestoso | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro vivace assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #21 in C, K. 467: | Rafael Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | Audite | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concertos C Major KV 467 & C Minor KV 491 | December 16, 1976 (live from Herkulessaal, Munich) | * |
| I. Allegro maestoso | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro vivace assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #23 in A, K. 488: | Boyd Neel: National Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | December 12, 1945 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #23 in A, K. 488: | Josef Krips: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | October 1953 (Kingsway Hall, London) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #23 in A, K. 488: | George Szell: Vienna Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 7–10, 1964 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #23 in A, K. 488: | István Kertész: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | December 1967 (Kingsway Hall, London) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #23 in A, K. 488: | Rafael Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | Audite | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concertos A Major KV 488 & B♭ Major KV 595 | June 21, 1975 (live from Kaisersaal, Würzburg, Germany) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Allegro assai | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #24 in c, K. 491: | Josef Krips: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | October 1953 (Kingsway Hall, London) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegretto | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #24 in c, K. 491: | István Kertész: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | December 1967 (Kingsway Hall, London) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegretto | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #24 in c, K. 491: | Rafael Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | Audite | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concertos C Major KV 467 & C Minor KV 491 | January 17, 1970 (live from Herkulessaal, Munich) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegretto | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #24 in c, K. 491 | Claudio Abbado: Vienna Philharmonic | Unreleased | Unreleased | July 27, 1975 (live radio broadcast10Youngrok Lee’s discography lists this performance as having been released on CD on the GNP Crescendo label, but I have been unable to find any evidence of this release online, so I have gone with the indication in John Hunt’s discography, which lists it as from an “unpublished radio broadcast” (which I located on YouTube). from Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg) | *** |
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #24 in c, K. 491 | Bernard Haitink: London Philharmonic | BBC Legends | Curzon: Delius Piano Concerto; Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24; Beethoven Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra | November 6, 1979 (live from Royal Festival Hall, London) | *** |
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #26 in D, K. 537 (“Coronation”): | István Kertész: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | December 1967 (Kingsway Hall, London) | ** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegretto | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #26 in D, K. 537 (“Coronation”) | Pierre Boulez: BBC Symphony Orchestra | BBC Legends | Curzon: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor; Mozart Piano Concerto No. 26 Coronation | August 14, 1974 (live from Royal Albert Hall, London) | *** |
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #27 in B-flat, K. 595: | George Szell: Vienna Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 7–10, 1964 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegro | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #27 in B-flat, K. 595: | István Kertész: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | October 1967 (Kingsway Hall, London) | * |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegro | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #27 in B-flat, K. 595: | Benjamin Britten: English Chamber Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | September 24–25, 1970 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | ** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegro | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #27 in B-flat, K. 595 | Daniel Barenboim: English Chamber Orchestra | BBC Legends | Curzon & Barenboim: Mozart Double Concerto, Piano Concerto No. 27, Sonata for 2 Pianos | September 11, 1979 (live from Royal Festival Hall, London) | * |
| Mozart | Piano Concerto #27 in B-flat, K. 595 | Rafael Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra | Audite | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concertos A Major KV 488 & B♭ Major KV 595 | January 15–16, 1970 (live from Herkulessaal, Munich) | ** |
| Mozart | Piano Quartet #1 in g, K. 478: | Members of Amadeus Quartet | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 9–11, 1952 (Decca Studios, London) | ** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Rondo: Allegro | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Quartet #2 in E-flat, K. 493: | Members of Budapest Quartet | Music & Arts11The first Mozart quartet in G minor is also included in the streaming versions of this album on both Amazon and YouTube, but according to the Music & Arts record label’s own Web site, the pianist playing with the Budapest Quartet in this version is Claudio Arrau in 1943. To my knowledge, no recording of Curzon playing the first Mozart quartet with the Budapest Quartet exists. | W. A. Mozart: Quartet for Piano & Strings in E-Flat, K. 493; Robert Schumann: Quintet in E-Flat for Piano & Strings, Op. 44 | April 27, 1951 (live from Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.) | *** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegretto | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Quartet #2 in E-flat, K. 493: | Members of Amadeus Quartet | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | September 9–11, 1952 (Decca Studios, London) | *** |
| I. Allegro | ||||||
| II. Larghetto | ||||||
| III. Allegretto | ||||||
| Mozart | Piano Sonata #14 in c, K. 457 | Orfeo | Mozart Klaviersonaten | August 26, 1974 (live from Mozarteum, Salzburg) | * | |
| Mozart | Sonata for Two Pianos in D, K. 448 | Benjamin Britten | BBC Legends | Curzon & Barenboim: Mozart Double Concerto, Piano Concerto No. 27, Sonata for 2 Pianos12It seems strange that the release title for the BBC Legends CD album does not prominently cite Benjamin Britten as an artist since the Mozart two-piano sonata is a major item on the menu, albeit Britten is named in small print on the bottom of the cover. | June 23, 1960 (live from Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | *** |
| Pijper | Symphony #3 | Eduard van Beinum: Concertgebouw Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | May 1953 (Concertgebouw, Amsterdam) | *** |
| Rachmaninov | Piano Concerto #2 in c, Op. 18: | Sir Adrian Boult: London Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | June 27–28, 1955 (Kingsway Hall, London) | * |
| I. Moderato | ||||||
| II. Adagio sostenuto | ||||||
| III. Allegro scherzando | ||||||
| Rawsthorne | Piano Concerto #2: | Malcolm Sargent: London Symphony Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | October 29–30, 1951 (Kingsway Hall, London) | *** |
| I. Allegro piacevole | ||||||
| II. Allegro molto | ||||||
| III. Intermezzo | ||||||
| IV. Allegro | ||||||
| Schubert | Impromptu in c, D. 899/1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | June 4, 1941 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in E-flat, D. 899/2 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | June 4, 1941 (Decca Studios, London) | * | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in E-flat, D. 899/2 | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | December 24, 1961 (BBC Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in G-flat, D. 899/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | June 4, 1941 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in G-flat, D. 899/3 | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | December 24, 1961 (BBC Studios, London) | * | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in G-flat, D. 899/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | June 1964 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | *** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in A-flat, D. 899/4 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | June 4, 1941 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in A-flat, D. 899/4 | BBC Legends | Curzon: Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104, Berceuse, Valse Oubliée No. 1, Sonata in B Minor; Haydn Andante and Variations in F Minor; Schubert Three Impromptus | December 24, 1961 (BBC Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in A-flat, D. 899/4 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | June 1964 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in f, D. 935/1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 9–11, 1952 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in A-flat, D. 935/2 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 9–11, 1952 (Decca Studios, London) | * | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in A-flat, D. 935/2 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–5, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in B-flat, D. 935/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 9–11, 1952 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| Schubert | Impromptu in f, D. 935/4 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | December 9–11, 1952 (Decca Studios, London) | * | |
| Schubert | Moment Musical in C, D. 780/1 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–6, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * | |
| Schubert | Moment Musical in A-flat, D. 780/2 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–6, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * | |
| Schubert | Moment Musical in f, D. 780/3 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–6, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * | |
| Schubert | Moment Musical in c-sharp, D. 780/4 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–6, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * | |
| Schubert | Moment Musical in f, D. 780/5 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–6, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | ** | |
| Schubert | Moment Musical in A-flat, D. 780/6 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | February 4–6, 1971 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * | |
| Schubert | Piano Quintet in A, D. 667 (“Trout”): | Members of the Wiener Octet | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | October 1957 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | ** |
| I. Allegro vivace | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Presto | ||||||
| IV. Theme and Variations: Andantino | ||||||
| V. Finale: Allegro giusto | ||||||
| Schubert | Piano Quintet in A, D. 667 (“Trout”) | Amadeus Quartet | BBC Legends | Amadeus & Curzon: Brahms Piano Quintet, Schubert ‘Trout’ Quintet | February 1, 1971 (live from Royal Festival Hall, London) | ** |
| Schubert | Piano Quintet in A, D. 667 (“Trout”): | Amadeus Quartet | Testament | Amadeus Quartet With Clifford Curzon: Schubert “Trout” Quintet, Britten String Quartet No. 2 | September 29, 1977 (live from Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | * |
| I. Allegro vivace | ||||||
| II. Andante | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Presto | ||||||
| IV. Theme and Variations: Andantino | ||||||
| V. Finale: Allegro giusto | ||||||
| Schubert | Piano Sonata in D, D. 850 (“Gasteiner”): | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | June 1964 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | * | |
| I. Allegro vivace | ||||||
| II. Con moto | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace | ||||||
| IV. Rondo: Allegro moderato | ||||||
| Schubert | Piano Sonata in B-flat, D. 960 | Decca (BBC) | Clifford Curzon: The BBC Recitals | June 30, 1968 (BBC Studios, London) | * | |
| Schubert | Piano Sonata in B-flat, D. 960: | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 2: Decca Recordings 1941–1972 | September 15–17, 1970 & November 17–19, 1972 (Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, England) | *** | |
| I. Molto moderato | ||||||
| II. Andante sostenuto | ||||||
| III. Allegro vivace con delicatezza | ||||||
| IV. Allegro ma non troppo | ||||||
| Schubert | Piano Sonata in B-flat, D. 960 | Orfeo | Schumann Fantasie in C, Op. 17; Schubert Sonata in B-Flat, D. 960 | August 26, 1974 (live from Mozarteum, Salzburg) | ** | |
| Schubert | Wanderer Fantasy in C, D. 760: | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | July 19, 1949 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| I. Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Presto | ||||||
| IV. Allegro | ||||||
| Schubert-Liszt | “Wanderer Fantasy” for Piano and Orchestra: | Henry Wood: Queen Hall’s Orchestra | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | April 1, 1937 (Decca Studios, London) | *** |
| I. Allegro con fuoco | ||||||
| II. Adagio | ||||||
| III. Presto | ||||||
| IV. Allegro | ||||||
| Schumann | Adagio & Allegro for Cello and Piano in A-flat, Op. 70 | Pablo Casals | Music & Arts | Casals: Festivals at Prades | July 15, 1956 (live from Prades, France) | * |
| Schumann | Fantasy in C, Op. 17: | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | March 1–3, 1954 (Decca Studios, London) | ** | |
| I. Durchaus fantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen | ||||||
| II. Mäßig. Durchaus energisch | ||||||
| III. Langsam getragen. Diurchweg leise zu halten | ||||||
| Schumann | Fantasy in C, Op. 17 | Orfeo | Schumann Fantasie in C, Op. 17; Schubert Sonata in B-Flat, D. 960 | August 26, 1974 (live from Mozarteum, Salzburg) | *** | |
| Schumann | Kinderszenen, Op. 15 | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 4: Decca Recordings 1944–1970 | March 1–3, 1954 (Decca Studios, London) | * | |
| Schumann | Kinderszenen, Op. 15 | Decca (BBC) | Clifford Curzon: The BBC Recitals | April 2, 1959 (BBC Studios, London) | *** | |
| Schumann | Piano Quintet in E-flat, Op. 44: | Budapest Quartet | Music & Arts | W. A. Mozart: Quartet for Piano & Strings in E-Flat, K. 493; Robert Schumann: Quintet in E-Flat for Piano & Strings, Op. 44 | April 27, 1951 (live from Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.13John Hunt’s discography lists the location of this recording as New York, but Youngrok Lee’s discography, as well as the liner notes and track listing for the 2005 Naxos release, indicate that the recordings were actually made at the U.S. Library of Congress, so I have gone with that indication.) | *** |
| I. Allegro brillante | ||||||
| II. In modo d’una marcia | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Molto vivace | ||||||
| IV. Allegro ma non troppo | ||||||
| Schumann | Piano Quintet in E-flat, Op. 44: | Budapest Quartet | Urania (Columbia) | Schumann Piano Quintet Op. 44, Brahms Piano Quartet No. 2 Op. 26, Dvorak Piano Quintet Op. 81, Grieg String Quartet Op. 27 | April 28–29, 1951 (Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington D.C.) | *** |
| I. Allegro brillante | ||||||
| II. In modo d’una marcia | ||||||
| III. Scherzo: Molto vivace | ||||||
| IV. Allegro ma non troppo | ||||||
| Tchaikovsky | Piano Concerto #1 in b-flat, Op. 23: | George Szell: New Symphony of London | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 1: Decca Recordings 1949–1964 | September 5–7 & 9, 1950 (Kingsway Hall, London) | ** |
| I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso | ||||||
| II. Andantino semplice | ||||||
| III. Allegro con fuoco | ||||||
| Tchaikovsky | Piano Concerto #1 in b-flat, Op. 23: | Georg Solti: Vienna Philharmonic | Decca | Clifford Curzon, Vol. 3: Decca Recordings 1937–1971 | October 14–17, 1958 (Sofiensaal, Vienna) | * |
| I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso | ||||||
| II. Andantino semplice | ||||||
| III. Allegro con fuoco |