BaL 9.06.12 - Dvorak's Cello Concerto (merged threads)

[Richard Tarleton]

When he said, practically at the end, that there was an elephant in the room, he echoed a thought I'd had earlier. I thought "Ah, he's going to mention Rostropovich/Karajan". But no, it was the Casals.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

When he said, practically at the end, that there was an elephant in the room, he echoed a thought I'd had earlier. I thought "Ah, he's going to mention Rostropovich/Karajan". But no, it was the Casals.

I was thinking exactly the same, Richard. Did it not get a mention at all? I lost track of other Rostropovich recordings played.

Even so, I am in complete agreement with Jan Smaczny over his final choice. I first came across this version in the La tribune des critiques de disques podcast from Radio France on the Dvorak Cello Concerto and immediately sought out a copy. It quickly became my favourite version, along with Peter Wispelwey/ Budapest Festival Orchestra for a modern recording.

[Richard Tarleton]

I was thinking exactly the same, Richard. Did it not get a mention at all? I lost track of other Rostropovich recordings played.

No, not even in passing. He played excerpts from the Talich, Boult (fair enough both) and that egregious Giulini. He gave us a good reason for not pursuing du Pré (her OTT, vibrato-laden extracts were self-dismissing I thought) but still recommended her version for devotees.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

No, not even in passing. He played excerpts from the Talich, Boult (fair enough both) and that egregious Giulini.

Yes, I think the Giulini was to illustrate how much Rostropovich slowed the tempi down as the years went by, therefore perhaps the assumption to be made was that Talich or Boult would have been a better bet for a Rostropovich recording. Still, I wouldn't mind betting that the DG Karajan recording is one of the first to come to mind when this work is mentioned.

[Barbirollians]

I enjoyed it but agree that it would have been sensible at least to illustrate why he preferred the Boult to the Karajan . Playing the Giulini seemed a bit like a cop out .

I much prefer du Pre's BBC Legends recording with Groves of her versions but I disagree that her performance was self-dismissing . The extracts made me feel like having another listen to her studio recording.

The most serious omission for me was no mention of the Tortelier versions or the joyous Harrell/Levine .

On the other hand I also rate the Fournier very highly . It was my second recording of the piece coupled with his stunning Scholomo on a Privilege cassette and it is a very straight but marvellous for that very reason to me .

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I think an excerpt of the Rostropovich/ Karajan recording would also have been useful in illustrating the difference in sound of the Berlin Philharmonic for Szell and for Karajan just seven years later. When I first heard the Fournier/ Szell recording (blind), I could have sworn it was a Czech band.

[Rolmill]

Even so, I am in complete agreement with Jan Smaczny over his final choice. I first came across this version in the La tribune des critiques de disques podcast from Radio France on the Dvorak Cello Concerto and immediately sought out a copy. It quickly became my favourite version, along with Peter Wispelwey/ Budapest Festival Orchestra for a modern recording.

I missed this morning's BAL - what was the final choice, as a matter of interest? It must be rather unusual, for a work with so many recordings, to have the same performance chosen by two separate comparative features (especially in different countries).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I missed this morning's BAL - what was the final choice, as a matter of interest? It must be rather unusual, for a work with so many recordings, to have the same performance chosen by two separate comparative features (especially in different countries).

Fournier/BPO/Szell.

Excellent choice.



Almost as good as Rostropovich/BPO/Karajan.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I missed this morning's BAL - what was the final choice, as a matter of interest? It must be rather unusual, for a work with so many recordings, to have the same performance chosen by two separate comparative features (especially in different countries).

Top recommendation (only available as download or box set):

DVORAK: Cello Concerto in B minor Op.104
Pierre Fournier (cello), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, George Szell (conductor)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4741672, 4291552 or 4238812 (download)

Pierre Fournier - Aristocrat of the Cello
DVORAK: Cello Concerto in B minor Op.104
Pierre Fournier (cello), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, George Szell (conductor)
c/w various works featuring Pierre Fournier (cello) with various artists
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ORIGINAL MASTERS 4775939 (6CD, mid-price)


Recommendation available on single CD:

DVORAK: Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra Op. 104
c/w VON DOHNANYI: Konzertstuck in D major for Cello and Orchestra Op. 12
Raphael Wallfisch (cello), London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)
CHANDOS CHAN10715X (CD, budget)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Sorry, ferneyhoughgeliebte. You beat me to it as I was dashing to the BBC Radio 3 website.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yours a far more detailed (and eloquent) posting, Alpie.

[Nick Armstrong]

. When I first heard the Fournier/ Szell recording (blind), I could have sworn it was a Czech band.

That's very interesting, IGI. Yes I remember that Tribune programme: I might have another listen. I'd forgotten how much I like this piece but how I've often thought performances I've heard were lacking. Maybe it's the tempo point made by the reviewer and referred to above.

[Barbirollians]

It is available in the old Privilege couplings with the Bloch and Kol Nidrei on a single CD for a song on Amazon .

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

It is available in the old Privilege couplings with the Bloch and Kol Nidrei on a single CD for a song on Amazon .

Yes, that's the pressing I bought, still available and going for a song:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dvorak-Cello-Concerto/dp/B000001GBX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339243148&sr=8-1

[gurnemanz]

I noted the conclusions of the BAL review and interesting comments from others on this thread but at first decided I didn't really need another version. (I have Schiff/Previn/VPO - nla), especially if the recommendation was part of box set. Then a couple of factors came into play:

- We have fond memories of seeing him perform it in Leipzig with the Gewandhaus in the 70s.
- Fournier's Bach Suites is my favoured set and I don't have a single other recording by him
- I checked out the box and found that it has a lot of items which I am not already familiar with or do not have recordings of.

I will almost certainly get it. Best price seems to be Europadisc at £32.95. (Some UK vendors are charging over £50). http://www.europadisc.co.uk/classica..._the_Cello.htm

... and, surprisingly, slightly cheaper direct from DG at £26.99 (+2.99 postage) http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/ca...UCT_NR=4775939