Pyotr Ilyich Tschaikowsky (1840-1893) : Piano Concerto No. 1 in B minor, Op.23

The Piano Concerto No. 1 was composed by Tchaikovsky between November 1874 and February 1875 and was revised twice, in 1879 and 1888. It is one of the most popular works by the composer and one of the most popular piano concertos in general. One of the reasons for this is that the melodies keep coming in the course of this concerto, proving once again what an ingenious composer of melodies Tchaikovsky was. Another one is that pianists have always loved this concerto because it offers them an ideal vehicle to scintillate. The main inspiration for this concerto was Robert Schumann's piano concerto, but also Russian influences (melodies, rhythms, atmosphere).

The main theme of the first movement is based upon a Russian folksong, and the finale takes the form of a splendid “danse russe”, while the middle section takes up motifs of a french chansonette from Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

Among the many pianists who have recorded this piano concert, Clifford Curzon is remarkable for dispensing with exaggerations and mannerisms in his interpretation. His outstanding technique and analytic skills combine to produce a rendering of impeccable homogeneity. The fine sound quality is yet another attractive feature of this impressive recording. Curzon, as always, plays thoughtfully and intelligently, and this album will obviously give a great deal of pleasure. Awesome! 

The "golden age" of recordings was from 1955 to 1965, at the beginning of the LP and the stereo era, where pure vacuum tube amplification helped produce recordings demonstrating unparalleled fidelity and warmth, lifelike presence and illumination.

This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the original analogue studio tapes through to the cutting head, and was pressed with virgin vinyl at Pallas. More information under http://www.pure-analogue.com