Antonín Dvořák; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Cello Concerto; Rococo Variations (Mstislav Rostropovich)

Information

Composer: Antonín Dvořák; Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

• (01) Dvořák - Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
• (04) Tchaikovsky - Variations on a Rococo theme, Op. 33

Mstislav Rostropovich, cello
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Date: 1968
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/cat/4474132

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Reviews

Of the many recordings of this concerto featuring Mstislav Rostropovich as the soloist, this one, from 1969, is the best. Indeed, it ranks with certainty among the greatest readings of the piece ever. It is a performance of heroic size and intensity, notable for the soloist’s expressive range and awe-inspiring command of his instrument. Karajan sculpts an extraordinarily powerful, polished accompaniment from a Berlin Philharmonic at the peak of its powers. The recording has the “hot” analog sound typical of DG in these years – bright, a little light in the bass, but with good detail and reasonably clean textures.

-- Ted Libbey, author of The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection.

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Mstislav Rostropovich is the world's greatest cellist, and he has actually made at least five recordings of this greatest of all cello concertos. I have a certain preference for his later version, with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Erato. This version has long been a prime recommendation, and in this new remastering at mid-price, it's an even better deal now. Herbert von Karajan accompanies with his usual expertise, and the Tchaikovsky performance is quite simply the finest around. This concerto is one of those pieces of which you'll want to have five or six copies. Just make sure this is one of them.

-- David Hurwitz

More reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Dvor%C3%A1k-Concerto-Tchaikovsky-Rococo-Variations/dp/B000001GQ8

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Antonín Dvořák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) was a Czech composer. He was the second Czech composer to achieve worldwide recognition, after Bedřich Smetana. Following Smetana's nationalist example, many of Dvořák's works show the influence of Czech folk music, such as his  two sets of Slavonic Dances, the Symphonic Variations, and the overwhelming majority of his songs. Dvořák wrote in a variety of forms: nine symphonies, ten operas, three concertos, several symphonic poems, serenades for string orchestra and wind ensemble, more than 40 works of chamber music, and piano music.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton%C3%ADn_Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k

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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (25 April/7 May 1840 – 25 October/6 November 1893) was a Russian composer of the romantic period who wrote some of the most popular music in the classical repertoire. He was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally. Tchaikovsky wrote many works that are popular with the classical music public, including his Romeo and Juliet, the 1812 Overture, three ballets, last three symphonies, the 1st Piano Concerto and the Violin Concerto. Despite his many popular successes, Tchaikovsky's life was punctuated by personal crises and depression.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Ilyich_Tchaikovsky

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Mstislav Rostropovich (March 27, 1927 – April 27, 2007), was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He is considered to be one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. In addition to his interpretations and technique, he was well known for both inspiring and commissioning new works, which enlarged the cello repertoire more than any cellist before or since. He inspired and premiered over 100 pieces, forming long-standing friendships and artistic partnerships with composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutosławski, Olivier Messiaen and Benjamin Britten.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mstislav_Rostropovich

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