Clifford Curzon is a special pianist. He seemed to play everything so well. But with the same sensitivity, he played every composer so differently. Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Liszt, Schubert, ... He is not the type of star pianists who can create a crowd of die-hard fans. But why?
I think many would agree the greatest recording of this pianist is the B Flat Sonata of Schubert. I found the first movement long and dull, until I finally came across this great Curzon reading. It was the moment I really 'discovered' this treasure. This single movement is the crystal of the short life of Schubert, a miserable figure. But how would you describe the emotional content of this music? On the outset, it was hesitant, groaning (the thrill on the left hand), solitary, melancholy, surrender, peace, joy and liveliness (the 2nd subject), ... All these moods are so wonderfully merged into one by Schubert and so perfectly realized by Curzon. There have been pianists who give well-structured and tasteful reading of this work. I have heard none other than Curzon who achieve such a subtle balance among these ingredients. The whole movement is seamless and carry one through the first note to last. When the music walks into the second movement, it just seems that the first movement has not come to an end. There is not even a sense of transition. It seems to be a most natural continuation. He gave color to each individual note he played. That is how he painted the picture the first movement. He didn't just give each contrasting theme a color. If such is the way, the music would be deprived of the harmony (as in the case of the Horowitz's readings). Like doing water painting, Curzon mixed the colors. The combinations of shadings he created is the key to the harmony he achieved. Such is the artistry of Curzon, a result of a sensitive heart and diligent work. It is not difficult to guess that each note is the reward of repeated pondering and trials. But you would not find that the playing is in any sense calculated. The interpreter is transparent. It is only the music which is speaking.
I fell in love with this recording, but not with Curzon. Through it I saw the greatness of Schubert. The pianist is evasive. He never try to put his personal stamp on anything he play. In the music you cannot find a trace of the personal character of a Curzon. He just let you believe that you are hearing the character of a Schubert, a Mozart or a Brahms. This is the feat of a most successful story teller which pull the listeners straight into the story. This is not what hard work alone can achieve. The story-teller himself must have a most sensitive heart, sensitive to every nuance of the music.
Apart from this classic Schubert reading, his Moment Musicals and Impromptus are also delightful. The simplicity of Moment Musical No.3 is beguiling. His Brahms Concerto under Szell is highly concentrated. The character he created for Mozart could not quite persuade me. I find it too crisp and light-hearted. His Liszt B Minor combines force and lyricism in perfect proportion. Yes, his Liszt is really marvelous. His Liszt is a bit reserved compared to the one that we know. But this Curzon creation is totally convincing and let you discover the true Liszt again. Is it rare to find a pianist who played both Schubert and Liszt so well? Brendel can also play both. Not wrong.
Can pianists really be classified into intellectuals and virtuosi. Curzon is an exception. He is an intellectual, a virtuoso and above all a 'cordial' who really feel the music. You will never feel going to a lecture when you hear Curzon. In comparison, the intellect and occasional sincerity of Brendel sounds superficial. Maybe because of their nationality, these two pianists are often put into the same flock. But they are basically different. They may approach music with the same seriousness. The results are different because the minds are different and the hearts are different. A Brendel makes one discover the structure of the music. Curzon showed you the essence. When record company market Brendel as a godfather of the serious school of playing the piano, I would suggest we listen a bit more from Curzon. You must discover what music really is.
