Prom 49: Dvořák / Suk, Czech Philharmonic, Kobekina / Hrůša

[frankbridge]

Hrusa's BRSO recording of Asrael is good. It's amongst the best played and recorded, although I wouldn't pick it over Kubelik, Ancerl (CPO live) or Flor

Well, it seems to me that the 'Asrael' has indeed fortunate on disc over the years with several good recordings: I've got the Chandos CD with the Czech Philharmonic under Jiri Belohlavek (CHAN 9042) and it did win a Penguin Guide Rosette at the time, and the same forces are on offer tonight at the Albert Hall. I can't make it in person, but I shall certaintly be tuning in for the performance

[Barbirollians]

The Dvorak ‘cello concerto is one of my absolute favourite pieces. However, I’ve heard some disappointing performances in the last couple of years which have made hearing it live a gamble.

I heard it in Glasgow at the City Halls with the BBC Scottish under Andrew Manze. Alas, it turned into a flute and clarinet concerto with ‘cello obligato. The wind players should have known better but Manze appeared oblivious.

And then one of the most disappointing concerts ever! Alicia Weilerstein with a second rate Asian orchestra and a fourth rate Asian conductor who really ought not to have been playing at the Edinburgh Festival. The orchestra was way too loud and the conductor didn’t follow the soloist at all which meant the wonderful Ms. Weilerstein was trapped in a straight jacket.

And then recently with the RSNO and a young conductor called Tabitha Berglund, ( no relation to Paavo!), who as a ‘cellist herself should have known not to use the orchestra’s full string section. The ‘cellist, Torleif Tedun, was working incredibly hard but, alas, couldn’t be heard!

We’ve got tickets to hear Steven Isserlis with the SCO next month so, hopefully, he won’t be drowned out. My all time favourite performance is Isserlis on the Berliner Philharmoniker’s site which is absolutely fantastic. Alas, his Hyperion recording under the dreadfully overrated Danial Harding is spoiled by uninspired and wooden conducting.

Before it disappears I would catch this one PG . Yes , its mercurial and very romantic but far more interesting than many a Dvorak Cello Concerto performance . I was lucky enough to see Ms Welerstein with the Czech PO in Manchester . Netopil conducted as Jiri Belohlavek had to pull out of the tour due to his final illness.

It reminded me both of Tortelier and du pre's live account from the Proms with Groves - both favourites of mine and I thought Kobekina's account of the slow movement was ravishing.

[pastoralguy]

Before it disappears I would catch this one PG . Yes , its mercurial and very romantic but far more interesting than many a Dvorak Cello Concerto performance . I was lucky enough to see Ms Welerstein with the Czech PO in Manchester . Netopil conducted as Jiri Belohlavek had to pull out of the tour due to his final illness.

It reminded me both of Tortelier and du pre's live account from the Proms with Groves - both favourites of mine and I thought Kobekina's account of the slow movement was ravishing.

Many thanks, Barbie. I’ll try to listen to it.

The Isserlis performance recently was outstanding aided by some beautiful playing from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and sensitive conducting from Emelyanychev.

[Barbirollians]

Many thanks, Barbie. I’ll try to listen to it.

The Isserlis performance recently was outstanding aided by some beautiful playing from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and sensitive conducting from Emelyanychev.

Such a shame he took so long to record it and then with Harding - should have recorded it with Mackerras many years before.

[pastoralguy]

Such a shame he took so long to record it and then with Harding - should have recorded it with Mackerras many years before.

Absolutely! I was so looking forward to this recording but it was spoiled by Harding’s uninspired conducting.

[Barbirollians]

Absolutely! I was so looking forward to this recording but it was spoiled by Harding’s uninspired conducting.

So wooden . Perhaps he will record it again as he did with Elgar - though there I much prefer his first recording .