Dvok: Cello Concerto etc.

Rostropovich, Von Karajan, Berlin PO

Album : Dvok : Cello Concerto ; Tchaikovky : Rococo-Variations Composer(s) : Antonin Dvok; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Performers : Herbert Von Karajan (conductor), Mstislav Rostropovich (soloist), Berliner Philharmoniker Recording date : 1969 Label : Deutsche Grammophon Catalog # : 413 819-2 Number of discs : 1 Genre : Classical Total size : 79,1 MB Total time : 01:00:13
On this CD :

1.Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104) Composed by: Antonin Dvorak Performed by: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Mstislav Rostropovich Conducted by: Herbert von Karajan 2.Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra in A major, Op. 33 Composed by: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky Performed by: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra with Mstislav Rostropovich Conducted by: Herbert von Karajan
Individual track details :
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 104: 1. Allegro Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 104: 2. Adagio ma non troppo Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 104: 3. Finale: Allegro moderato Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Moderato quasi Andante Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Tema. Moderato semplice Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione I. Tempo del Tema Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione II. Tempo del Tema Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione III. Andante sostenuto Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione IV. Andante grazioso Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione V. Allegro moderato Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione VI. Andante Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione VII. Allegro vivo

@ 192 Kbit/s mp3

Recording Dvork in West Berlin in 1968 with a Russian cellist was a political as well as a cultural act. Barely a month after the crushing of the Prague Spring by Warsaw Pact tanks, here was Rostropovich playing one of the supreme achievements of Czech music with the Berlin Philharmonic. Whether politics had any influence on the performance is a moot point, but the occasion certainly resulted in what must be the most inspiring and uplifting account of the cello concerto on disc. Rostropovich was then in his prime as a cellist, with his full-bodied, singing tone weighed down by a characteristically raw-edged emotion. No note seems wasted, and he conveys the hopes and fears of Dvork's imagination with unremitting involvement and intensity. In von Karajan he has the ideal accompanist, ever supportive yet allowing the orchestra its head in the climaxes - and what an orchestra it sounds on this rich-toned remastering. As perhaps the best-loved work in the cellists' repertoire, every player wants to record it, but no one has quite equalled Rostropovich's 1968 account, not even his earlier and later selves caught on rival recordings, both studio and live, on Warner, BBC Legends and Testament among other labels. One undisputed classic is Gregor Piatigorsky's 1960 recording with Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony (RCA 82876663752), full of fire but marred by a fierce recorded sound out of keeping with the work's lyrical warmth. Another strong contender is Jacqueline du Pr in a live Prom recording from 1969 with Charles Groves and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic on BBC Legends (BBCL41562) typically heartfelt and full of her sense of emotional commitment. But for a performance that combines historical importance with artistic greatness, Rostropovich wins the palm. Matthew Rye, Telegraph