Dvorak Cello Concerto
Thu, Jan 27 2011, 10:44PM
Vis a vis the article re: Dvorak's Cello Concerto in the latest Gramophone I was chagrined to see I did not have a CD of the Casals 1937 recording ranked #1. Lo and behold I found an Angel Great Recordings of the Century LP I had in a long neglected corner of my collection. Listened to it today, and indeed it is a fine interpretation. I have long preferred more modern stereo recordings, in particular Rostropovich.
I wonder what the forum member's favorites are.
There is a particular LP by Christina Walevska that is hard to come by, and has been hailed by critics as the finest interpretation. I got a copy at considerable cost and find it somewhat idiosyncratic, but quite cogent and enjoyable.Any comments?
Sat, Feb 5 2011, 5:14PM
#2
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
There is one historical recording which merits attention:
On 20-21 August 1968 Russian tanks invaded Czechoslovakia (my Czech ex-wife was one of the students who confronted them in the streets of Prague.
The following evening, 21 August, Mstislav Rostropovich played the Dvorak Cello Concerto at the Proms (accompanied, ironically, by the USSR State Symphony Orchestra under Svetlanov). The Prommers who observed Rostropovich close up (he was always a champion of freedom from Soviet repression) reported that tears streamed down his face as he played this wonderful Czech music. This performance is available on BBC Legends coupled with the Schumann concerto.
This reminds me of an old Cold War joke:
What is a Soviet string quartet?
A Soviet symphony orchestra after a tour of the U.S.
Sat, Feb 5 2011, 9:39PM
#3
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
That Rostropovich account is on BBC Legends (evocatively preserved with a bit of heckling and counter-heckling at the start). It's superb, moving in itself, and doubly moving in context. I love too the way that the seemingly undiluted roar of approval is caught at the end.
Sun, Mar 18 2012, 4:19PM
#4
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
As the performance which started this thread was mentioned on Radio 3 this morning and as I have just finished processing my set of 78s I thought I would mention it here. Casals is closely miked and the physicality of his performance is
audible in both the attack of bow to string and in the occasional
finger-popping as his fingers press and release the strings.
Sun, Mar 18 2012, 8:08PM
#5
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
Thoroughly enjoyed the Cold War joke!
Mon, Mar 19 2012, 3:29PM
#6
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
Interesting, I didn't know about this Rostropovich recording on BBC Legends: deserves attention indeed (right to my shortlist) as I don't like that one w/ Karajan on DG. It seems there is another of this great cellist together w/ Talich conducting TPO (Supraphon) that is worth searching as well. The historic Casals one I suppose is that w/ Szell and the same TPO on EMI.
My current favourite is Starker-Susskind (EMI) slightly ahead of Fournier-Szell (DG). The former takes a more intimate, chamber-like approach w/ some roughness that, imo, suits this work better.The latter is great too: intense and very touching if a tad too euphonic and less idiomatic.
I wonder how the Du Pre-Celibidache (Teldec) faired in this Gramophone comparison. I just ordered this recording and have high hopes of finding another great reading.
Wed, Mar 28 2012, 10:12PM
#7
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
When mentioning recordings of this work, Frans Helmerson/Gothenburg SO/Jarvi should be mention in my opinion. Great playing and recording quality. Helmerson studied with Rostropovich. Immaculate.
And Queyras ......
Thu, Mar 29 2012, 8:28AM
#8
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
Eventually, somebody who appreciates Helmerson/Jarvi excellent recording. Despite he is not Rostropovich, the whole and overal performance is a superb and inspiring reading of this magnificent concerto.
From the recent ones, I thoroughly enjoyed the marvelous (SACD) recording of Wispelwey/Fischer on Channel Classics. At least, you may follow all the details of this great and so rich score in a dazzling performance.
Parla
Tue, Apr 23 2013, 10:29AM
#9
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
I wonder how no one really mentioned the talich/cpo record with rostropovich which i prefer to most others. the karajan/bpo/rostropovich bored me to death cause it's so lame. the better non-czech version is fournier/szell/bpo. i get why people like szell/casals though i prefer talich's reading to szell's but not necessarily rostropovich's playing to casals'. two small but nice ones too are chuchro/waldhans/cpo and thauer/macal/cpo. afterall i may be biased because of my slavonic family links: i just love the czech readings, playings and in general their interpretative style (same with smetana and janacek - to me these composers are a supraphon mostly, if not only) - they are the right kind of dirty...
Fri, Apr 26 2013, 5:12PM
#10
RE: Dvorak Cello Concerto
I agree, for any Czech orchestral music the Czech Phil recorded by Supraphon is a very good place to start. There is a very fine tradition of Czech cellists, names like Milos Sadlo, the Vectomov's, father and son, Josef Curcho, and many more have Dvorak in their blood. For a idiomatic performance of the Cello Concerto one of these names would be my first port of call.
This one,
Ludwig Hoelscher & Josef Keilberth
Give it a listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyW2mguRAWU
Sound is not too good on the video. Put the quality on "480p", that will improve the sound a bit.
Rolf