A Souvenir But No More

This month's BBC Music magazine cover disk features vintage performances by Clifford Curzon of Mozart Piano Concertos Nos 21 and 23. No 21 is from 1976 and the accompaniment is provided by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Bernhard Klee, while No 23 is from 1963 with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Hurst. To be honest, this is not really a major rediscovery of long lost electrifying performances. Curzon's playing is fine enough without being at his very best and it would be a perfectly fine radio broadcast or evening in the concert hall but it is not an essential document for posterity. These are probably the two most familiar of Mozart's piano concertos and the slow movements still show their magic despite the somewhat routine run throughs from the BBC orchestras. And it is churlish to be too critical of these free cover disks, rather be grateful for the occasional gems they throw up.

A Fitting Tribute

This month sees an excellent BBC Music magazine cover disk of music by Janacek. I already have recordings of the pieces featured ( multiple recordings in the case of the Sinfonietta ) but this is still a worthwhile addition. The disk is otherwise notable for the two conductors featured. The Sinfonietta is conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras with the BBC Philharmonic. A renowned specialist in Czech repertoire, this is a full blooded and spirited performance despite a few split notes from the brass in the most exposed parts of the fanfare. Both pieces were recorded live and so it is possible to live with the odd imperfection. The second piece on the disk is the Glagolitic Mass, played by the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales with the Bristol Choral Society and conducted by the late Richard Hickox. The disk has the subtitle "a tribute to Richard Hickox" and it is a fine performance that is entirely fitting to be viewed in that light Following his unexpected and untimely death. It certainly outshines a recent Prom performance under Boulez, although the latter was undermined by one notably appalling solo contribution and Hickox is much better served by his soprano Susan Bullock, together with mezzo Ameral Gunson, tenor Kim Begley and bass Matthew Best. Not to forget the important organ part played here by Adrian Partington.