Clifford Curzon - Complete Decca Recordings box-set

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm catching up with the last few weeks' CD Review programmes. I was very struck by the segment about the above box-set, and can't see any specific discussion about it here (though I think I remember a couple of references in the 'Bargains' thread). This is the box: http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Decca/4784389 (amazon is cheaper, but that site most conveniently lists the contents).

I was mesmerised by the extracts played from the Trout Quintet, the Mozart concerto with Britten conducting - and the rare (previously-unissued) Chopin performance. Likewise the familiar extract from Schubert D960 - the only Curzon recording I think I possess.

The price per disc plus the dearth of his performances in my collection make this a tempting one for the "Dear Santa" letter this year...

What do folk think - of this box (anyone got it?) - and more broadly of Sir Cliff...

[johnb]

Back in 2007, on the old BBC message boards, there was a thread on Clifford Curzon in which Peter Katin gave us some of his reminiscences. I do recommend anyone interested in CC to read those contributions to the thread:

2007 BBC MB thread on Clifford Curzon

Look down to Message 16.

(Amazing what Google can dig up if you give it the domain and a few key words.)

[Nick Armstrong]

Back in 2007, on the old BBC message boards, there was a thread on Clifford Curzon in which Peter Katin gave us some of his reminiscences. I do recommend anyone interested in CC to read those contributions to the thread:

2007 BBC MB thread on Clifford Curzon

Look down to Message 16.

(Amazing what Google can dig up if you give it the domain and a few key words.)

You're a marvel, johnb, many many thanks! Look forward to a good read of that tomorrow

[BBMmk2]

That has to be the posting of postings on those boardsand the succesor, these boards! Peter Katin thank you for that post and Johnb for resurecting it!

[salymap]

Thanks Johnb and others who put this on today's boards. I remember Curzon as a rather nervy man but a wonderful pianist. Nice to see contributions from smittims and others from the old boards and wonderful to read Peter Katin's contributions.

[amateur51]

This treasure trove is definitely on my Santa list - though the price may need to come down a tad

[mathias broucek]

The Mozart recordings with the VPO and Szell are also terrific (never released in period)

[antongould]

This treasure trove is definitely on my Santa list - though the price may need to come down a tad

.....you could try being very good.........

[johnb]

That has to be the posting of postings on those boardsand the succesor, these boards! Peter Katin thank you for that post and Johnb for resurecting it!

If anyone wants to Google the old BBC message boards:

In Google search, click the cog wheel (top right) and select Advanced Search

In the top section enter your search words and...

In "Narrow your results by: Site or domain" enter: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/

[John Wright]

The 'cog wheel' route may not work for everyone.

Google Advanced Search screen is here:

http://www.google.com.au/advanced_search

then follow johnb's instructions.

Thanks johnb, for reminding me about the great archive that is available to us.

[Nick Armstrong]

.....you could try being very good.........

I always try....

[David-G]

A simple way to search the old message boards (for "Curzon", for example) would be to type

curzon site:www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/

into the Google search box.

[John Wright]

A simple way to search the old message boards (for "Curzon", for example) would be to type

curzon site:www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbradio3/

into the Google search box.

Indeed, yes that works too!

[hafod]

As noted on the Bargain thread when this Curzon box was first announced, please remember that this box contains all the material in the 4 boxes issued in the Original Masters series some years ago. The latter consisted of 21 cds and the new box has 23 including a dvd.

[makropulos]

As noted on the Bargain thread when this Curzon box was first announced, please remember that this box contains all the material in the 4 boxes issued in the Original Masters series some years ago. The latter consisted of 21 cds and the new box has 23 including a dvd.

Actually the new box has 23 CDs *and* a DVD. So it's the 21 from Original Masters, a disc of rare and hitherto unpublished material (CD22), another disc of audio interviews (including "Desert Island Discs", and then the DVD which includes a large number of further audio tracks (interviews) as well as Curzon's marked up scores of two Schubert Sonatas which can be followed along with the recordings. In other words there's quite a lot of "new" material that wasn't on the Original Masters boxes, the DVD and CD that came out originally in 2007, and all the unpublished/rare things, including Curzon's one and only recording of Chopin. It's a hugely impressive set.