Dvorak & Tchaikovsky: Works for Cello & Orchestra

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There have been a number of outstanding recordings of the Dvorák Concerto since this DG record was made, but none to match it for the warmth of lyrical feeling, the sheer strength of personality... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 20th Feb 1995
Catalogue No: 4474132
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Series: Originals
Length: 60 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

100 Greatest Recordings
Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1960s
Penguin Guide

Rosette

Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104

Work length41:21

$3.30

$4.50

Mstislav Rostropovich (cello)
Berliner Philharmoniker
Herbert von Karajan
Recorded: 1968-09-24
Recording Venue: Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin

I. Allegro

Track length15:42

$1.10

$1.50

II. Adagio ma non troppo

Track length12:41

$1.10

$1.50

III. Finale (Allegro moderato)

Track length12:58

$1.10

$1.50

Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Work length18:53

$9.90

$13.50

Mstislav Rostropovich (cello)
Berliner Philharmoniker
Herbert von Karajan
Recorded: 1968-09-24
Recording Venue: Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin

Introduction. Moderato quasi andante

Track length0:54

$1.10

$1.50

Theme. Moderato semplice

Track length1:43

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 1. Tempo della thema –

Track length0:52

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 2. Tempo della thema

Track length1:13

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 3. Andante sostenuto

Track length3:59

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 4. Andante grazioso –

Track length1:53

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 5. Allegro moderato

Track length3:28

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 6. Andante

Track length2:52

$1.10

$1.50

Var. 7 – Coda. Allegro vivo

Track length1:59

$1.10

$1.50

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

There have been a number of outstanding recordings of the Dvorák Concerto since this DG record was made, but none to match it for the warmth of lyrical feeling, the sheer strength of personality of the cello playing and the distinction of the partnership between Karajan and Rostropovich. Any moments of romantic licence from the latter, who's obviously deeply in love with the music, are set against Karajan's overall grip on the proceedings. The orchestral playing is superb.
You've only to listen to the beautiful introduction of the secondary theme of the first movement by the principal horn to realise that the BPO is going to match its illustrious soloist in eloquence, while Rostropovich's many moments of poetic introspection never for a moment interfere with the sense of a spontaneous forward flow. The recording is as near perfect as any made by DG in that vintage analogue era. It gives the cello a highly realistic presence, and if the passionate fortissimo violins lose just a fraction in fullness, and there seems to be, comparably, just a slight loss of resonance in the bass, the sound picture has an impressively clear and vivid focus.
In the coupled Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations, Rostropovich uses the published score rather than the original version. However, he plays with such masterly Russian fervour and elegance that any criticism is disarmed. The music itself continually demonstrates Tchaikovsky's astonishing lyrical fecundity, as one tune leads to another, all growing organically from the charming 'rococo' theme. The recording is marvellously refined.
The description 'legendary' isn't a whit too strong for a disc of this calibre.

two great musicians performing with complete sympathy for each other: Rostropovich on top form and Karajan an attentive partner

2011 edition

The intensity of lyrical feeling and the spontaneity of the partnership between Karajan and Rostropovich ensures the position of their DG disc at the top of the list of recommendations.

Dvorak & Tchaikovsky: Works for Cello & Orchestra

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