No Description Available No Track Information Available Media Type: CD Artist: DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY Title: CON VC/VAR ROCOCO Street Release Date: 01/23/1996 Domestic Genre: CLASSICAL COMPOSERS
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
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Over-rated and over-blown:
Not only is this not the best Rostropovich version (try the ones with Boult or Khaikin) but it is not nearly as good as some more recent versions, such as Jean-Guilhen Queyras on Harmondia Mundi (with perfect balance between soloist and orchestra and a deeply poetic and powerful interpretation)or Hoelscher with Keilberth on Warner/Teldec (wonderfully executed). There is of course the classic version by Fournier with Szell and Casals with Szell. If you must have Rostropovich, get the Khaikin version with... more info
Dvorak overblown and lacking passion, Tchaikovsky exceptional:
For years I have read that this recording of the Dvorak Cello Concerto is one of the best. When I finally heard it, I hated it. The interpretation is overblown and the playing is cold. And the conductor is heartless, nothing new for the vastly overrated HVK. On the other hand, I found the Tchaikovsky to be absolutely wonderful. The Dvorak sounds like a recording, the Tchaikovsky like a performance.
One of the most beautiful cello concerts:
I'm just a fan of classical music, so I can't give a proper review of the performance or even about the recording. In any case, this concert remains as one of the most beautiful cello concerts ever written. Just as a little note: this version is a little bit slower than others I have heard before. (nothing wrong with that)
rostropovich - Rostropovich - ROSTROPOVICH !!!:
I had the pleasure of hearing Mstislav's playing of Tchaikovsky's "Rococo variations" on NYC's WQXR. Truth be told I was late for a meeting because I had to stay in my car listening to Mstislav's playing; and I have no regrets! I listened to Rococo repeatedly before I turned to Dvorak's "Cello concerto", and SLAM DUNK! WOW!!! The disk has not been taken out of my CD player since...
Tracks:
Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): 1. Allegro
Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): 3. Finale. Allegro moderato
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Moderato quasi Andante
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Tema. Moderato semplice
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 1. Tempo del Tema
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 2. Tempo del Tema
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 3. Andante sostenuto
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 4. Andante grazioso
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 5. Allegro moderato
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 6. Andante
Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33: Variazione 7. Allegro vivo
