The romantic cello concerto was slow in development, such that Dvorák was able to take the ... more
form to new levels of expression with his Concerto in B minor (1895). The work was premiered not in the composer's native Czechoslovakia, but in London, just as Elgar was developing the reputation which would lead, by the time of his own Cello Concerto (1919) to his acclamation as England's greatest living composer. This superb release intelligently couples the two heartfelt and lyrical works into a thoroughly rewarding programme. In no small part due to the classic recording by Jacqueline Du Pré, the Elgar concerto is one of the most popular works in the repertoire. Maria Kliegal, winner of the Grand Prix in the 1981 Rostropovich competition, is likewise immensely moving, delivering the music with absolute emotional commitment, while the presence of the superb Royal Philharmonic should silence those critics who have carped at previous Naxos releases for lacking "name" orchestras. --Gary S. Dalkin
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The romantic cello concerto was slow in development, such that Dvorák was able to take the ... more
form to new levels of expression with his Concerto in B minor (1895). The work was premiered not in the composer's native Czechoslovakia, but in London, just as Elgar was developing the reputation which would lead, by the time of his own Cello Concerto (1919) to his acclamation as England's greatest living composer. This superb release intelligently couples the two heartfelt and lyrical works into a thoroughly rewarding programme. In no small part due to the classic recording by Jacqueline Du Pré, the Elgar concerto is one of the most popular works in the repertoire. Maria Kliegal, winner of the Grand Prix in the 1981 Rostropovich competition, is likewise immensely moving, delivering the music with absolute emotional commitment, while the presence of the superb Royal Philharmonic should silence those critics who have carped at previous Naxos releases for lacking "name" orchestras.--Gary S. Dalkin
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Advantages: Highly burnished, engaging, musically intelligent and emotionally mature playing; beautiful tone is never saccharine. Disadvantages: Nil.
It would be one of the most daunting works to take on for any musician, given the history of its recording, yet British cellist Natalie Clein decided to do it. It took her some ten years to get to the point where she felt ready to tackle it again for posterity, and this CD gives her good reason to be proud.
ELGAR'S CELLOCONCERTO AND DU PRÉ
So what's so intimidating about Edward Elgar's CelloConcerto? Besides its call in the performer for technical virtuosity and a mature musical understanding of the piece, the concerto has also been inextricably linked with Jacqueline du Pré (1945 - 1987), cellist extraordinaire, who was tragically struck down at the prime of life by multiple sclerosis. Her landmark 1965 recording, made when she was just twenty (with John Barbirolli conducting the London Symphony Orchestra), is still hallowed by ...
Advantages: It is simply one of the finest pieces of music ever written Disadvantages: How dare you ask of any disadvantges!?!
easily to be found for those interested in this version. CBS/Sony (60394 CD); Hilary and Jackie OST: Sony Classical (SK-60394)
On a budget front, there is the recording of Maria Kliegel and Michael Halász conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for Naxos. Don't even think about getting this. The recording of the concerto (as well as the Dvorak that comes along) is terrible. Personally I consider the RPO to be the best orchestra around, but in this instance they are unusually out of the music, the recorded sound is thin, the soloist is over-indulgent, and there is nothing really to find charm in the entire CD. There are way too many good recordings around for anybody to be stuck with this version, despite its affordability. Naxos (8.550503)
SUMMA SUMMARIUM
The CelloConcerto proved to be the last major work Elgar ever completed ...
Advantages: The Best Recording Ever Disadvantages: None
Elgar’s CelloConcerto in E Minor, Op. 85
Jacqueline du Pre and the LSO, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli
Madam, you have an instrument between your legs capable of giving pleasure to thousands, and all you can do is sit there and scratch it!
So said the eminently witty conductor Sir Thomas Beecham, in reference to a lady ‘cellist. He certainly wasn’t, however, referring to the unmatchable Jacqueline du Pre, who, in my humble opinion, was the most gifted cellist ever and whose short, tragic life is somehow augured by this melancholic recording. It’s an EMI classic, which means that it’s an old, old recording, but so good that it shouldn’t be lost at the bottom of a pile of old vinyls at a jumble sale, but digitally re-mastered and made available for future generations on CD. The original ...
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