Audition: Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 1, Clifford Curzon/National Symphony Orchestra/Jorda #BrahmsOp10

 

Slightly out of turn, this reading by Clifford Curzon is still available, originally on 78s, as part of the Decca Curzon box set though it deserves to remain buried in obscurity.

Curzon is as eloquent in this recording as he was six years later in the recording with van Beinum but the quality of the recording is nowhere near as good in 1947.

What kills this performance for recommendation is the awful playing of the woodwind and especially the horns. In his Gramophone Magazine review, Richard Osbourne points out that the National Symphony Orchestra was suffering the loss of its soloists who were joining established London orchestras which were rebuilding their post war positions of excellence.

The recording was not as dazzling as the 1953 recording. Jorda is a strong enough conductor - some of the string playing is wonderful. As for Curzon he seems to be cowed by the playing of the orchestra and for these reasons this recording is only of comparative interest.

Performance 4

Interpretation 7

Recording 4