Dvorak: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

On this CD:

1. Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Mstislav Rostropovich
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

2. Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Mstislav Rostropovich
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

Dvorak: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Music, Mstislav Rostropovich, Antonin Dvorak, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Seiji Ozawa, Cello Concerto, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,
Average customer rating:

Wonderful, just shy of the magic created with Ozawa

Dvorak: Cello Concerto / Rostropovich

Rostropovich's legacy made through this recording

Not the best version of the Dvorák concerto with Slava

Amazingly beautiful music

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dvorak: 3 Great Symphonies

ASIN: B000001GQ8
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 104: 1. Allegro
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 104: 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In B Minor, Op. 104: 3. Finale: Allegro moderato
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Moderato quasi Andante
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Tema. Moderato semplice
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione I. Tempo del Tema
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione II. Tempo del Tema
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione III. Andante sostenuto
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione IV. Andante grazioso
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione V. Allegro moderato
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione VI. Andante
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Variazione VII. Allegro vivo

Amazon.com essential recording

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:

Wonderful, just shy of the magic created with Ozawa.......2007-06-06

This is, undoubtedly, the reference recording of the Rococo Variations. However, the concerto is more a matter of taste. This has long been the reference edition of the concerto and rightfully so - Karajan and Rostropovich create magic in this recording. Rostropovich brings his typical expertise to the music and Karajan follows suite with a warm, sensitive accompaniment. Still, I have a particular preference for the Ozawa/Boston Symphony performance on Erato. Rostropovich does the seemingly impossible by mustering even more energy for that performance, building a first movement that cannot be bettered. The finale hangs fire while the slow central movement finds the introspective Rostropovich delivering an interpretation of touching beauty. The timbral qualities of the Boston Symphony are more suited to this music, free from the heavy, creamy sound typical of Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic. It's nit-picky, and the Rococo Variations under Ozawa aren't quite as fun, but for the concerto, stick with the digital Erato recording.

Dvorak: Cello Concerto / Rostropovich.......2007-05-13

No one has ever matched Rostropovich's rendition of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. It is an immense treasure in the cello literature. Naturally, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Karajan completes this outstanding recording.

Rostropovich's legacy made through this recording.......2007-05-01

Along with the old mono recording of the Shostakovich Concerto No. 1 released in 1959 shortly after the concerto was written, this recording of the Dvorak Cello Concerto, released in 1969, is what essentially created the Rostropovich legend. It was only one of two cello concerto recordings to make Gramophone magaziens reader list of top 100 recordings of the 20th century.

In that regard, it was the only recording I voted for in the Gramophone poll that was represented in the top 100 recordings of the 20th century (the top recording was Solti's Ring followed by Elgar's cello concerto from DuPre, something only a Brit would think of as one of the two best recordings of the 20th century.)

Both conductor (Karajan) and soloist were reaching the peak of their existence after this legendary recording arrived. Having heard the soloists on a number of poorly recorded Soviet LPs of the St. Saens, Dvorak and other concerti (Rostropovich disdained the Elgar), this recording, which was one of the most technically advanced of its era, showed everyone why this cellist was an artist to reckon.

What Rostropovich and DG engineers exposed in 1969 (when DG was still called DGG) was his stupendous technique and the volume of sound he could create using only the solo instrument. Yes, miking and recordings technology had something to do with this, but anyone that knew Rostropovich or heard him play in concert would attest that his sound was bigger than anyone else's. A cellist once explained to me that this was probably the result of the strings he chose, which would have the greatest alteration on sound.

Needless to say, that sound still bursts forth in this recording, which will soon pass onto its fourth decade. For years it was universally selected as the top recommendation in this repertoire above players like Gendron, Fournier, Piatagorsky, Rose, Tortelier and even the more legendary Casals. No one had ever heard a sound like this cellist made, which was even more enhanced by his elegaic playing in the Tchaikovsky variations that accompany the concerto.

Karajan, too, was still in ascension in the 1960s. His position in Europe was similar to Leonard Bernstein's role in North America, where the two kingpins regularly jet setted around the world to enterain audiences in London, Vienna, New York and Berlin. This is clearly one of the greatest recordings ever made and nothing that has happened since will diminish that. If you want to hear what made Rostropovish famous worldwide, buy this recording.

Not the best version of the Dvorák concerto with Slava.......2007-03-02

Review of the Dvorák concerto only.

This could have been the one of the best recordings of Dvorak's cello concerto available, if the conductor had been replaced. Despite his reputation, Karajan is - as too often is the case - the wrong man for conducting a demanding, powerful, lyrical masterpiece. The orchestra is excellent and Slava's concentrated and beautiful playing is of course impeccable - five stars and beyond for that - but Karajan's clinical "Blitzkrieg" approach prevents the lyrical humanism of this music to blossom. Perhaps the man never could stop thinking about how to eventually realize his seriously distorted ideological convictions - and thus he could never become really involved in the true humanism of music. In fact, comparing this version with Slava's other stereo recordings (i.e., with Boult, Giulini, and Ozawa) of this work suggests that the cellist could not really develop his deep understanding during these sessions. Karajan's streamlined, bandwagon view of music and Slava's lyrical humanism seem to belong to different worlds.

Now, as already indicated, there is a bunch of other recordings with Slava and the Dvorák concerto. We have three other stereo recordings, one with Boult (Testament), one with Giulini (EMI) and one with Ozawa (Erato). Furter, there are four mono recordings: with Khaikin (Revelation or Yedang); with Talich (Supraphon), which was Slava's first recording of the concerto. Finally, there is the famous 1968 concert with Svetlanov (BBC Legends) and a broadcats concerto with Ancerl in Toronto (Tahra).

How does the present recording stand in comparison with these other recordings? The performance with Carlo Maria Giulini and London Philharmonic Orchestra (EMI) is good but not great, but the recording quality is outstanding. Ozawa's interpretation (Erato), which came even later, also in stereo, is not entirely convincing, lacking in Bohemian temperament, but the recording and playing are fine here too. Finally, the early Boult (Testament) is an excellent, warm, and structured interpretation, but in vintage stereo sound. But it should not be left out for that reason. We get a different perspective from Boult, less "passionate" and more structured, so to speak. In fact, I hold the Boult recording to be the best of all Slava's performances, stereo or mono. In contrast to the present account, where the stiff and stylish accompaniment don't fit the cellist's vision, that powerful performance will move you to tears and blow your mind.

But the studio mono recordings with Khaikin and Talich are also both of great interest. But in my view, Slava's first recording with Talich holds a special place, because both playing and interpretation are first class. The interpretation is far more controlled than Giulini's more lyrical approach, and avoids von Karajan's extremes. Yes, it is a mono recording, but that's fine with me. Khaikin's recording is very fine too, even if it is not as convincing as Talich's.

Finally, the two live mono recordings - Svetlanov and Ancerl - are also very memorable. But of these two, I rank Ancerl before Svetlanov, because of the former's superb grasp of the score.

In sum, I rank the Slava-Dvorák recordings, that I am familiar with, as follows: I. Boult, 2. Talich, 3. Ancerl, 4. Svetlanov, 5. Khaikin, 6. Giulini, 7. Ozawa, 9. Karajan.

In sum, this recording doesn't replace Boult's, which offers a more tautly structured approach, not as "overblown" as von Karajan's, Giulini's, and Ozawa's. But check Slava/Talich and Slava/Ancerl if you look for two other great Slava interpretations. And then there are of course other great cellists to consider, in both stereo and in mono: Fournier (DG, stereo), and Casals (Naxos, EMI, Dutton - mono). My advice is that you should have at least one of these too.

(Karajan's fanatical admirers will not appreciate this review. But my advice to you is to try other recordings - there is a world beyond von Karajan.)

Amazingly beautiful music.......2006-12-06

This is a lovely piece of music. Really. You listen to this, and it's like, WOW. That's just beautiful. Because it really is. The cello part is nice and pretty, and like almost all Dvorak, it's exciting and bold. Dvorak has a very distinct style, and quite frankly, he's extremely talented. His music, including this, is wonderful. It starts out sort of quieter, and then you get slammed with something that just takes your breath away. How often can you actually say that about music?

The thing is, I like this piece of music. I like the sound. It's things like these that make me adore Dvorak, because there's just so much feeling and intensity. There's a sort of quality that just makes me love it. And I'm sure you'll love it too, is the thing.

So getting the general music out of the way, the playing here is also incredible. The sound quality is surprisingly good and the music sounds great. Every sudden burst of volume is powerful and pretty at the same time. Rostropovich plays really well and everything is just so nice.

The Tchaikovsky is also very nice. It's a nice little bonus alongside the main gem that is the cello concerto. With this wonderful recording and playing, the price shouldn't even matter, though I guess that it only helps that this is surprisingly cheap. It's a superb deal that I recommend whole-heartedly. It's a great CD that can be listened to at any time.

Buy it!

Dvorak: Concerto for cello in Bm; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

Average customer rating:

Sassy
Stands up to the test of time
Sometimes one is enough...
When the heights become the expected
Amazing grace!

Dvorak: Concerto for cello in Bm; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

Manufacturer: Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000057KJ
Release Date: 1990-09-12

Tracks:

Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104 For Violoncello And Orchestra: 1. Allegro
Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104 For Violoncello And Orchestra: 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Concerto In B Minor, Op. 104 For Violoncello And Orchestra: 3. Finale. Allegro moderato
Kol Nidrei, Op.47
Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33

Customer Reviews:

Sassy.......2006-02-23

If Janos Starker had been a Mayor of a town I am quite certain his title would have been Mayor Sassy of Sassyville. Had he commanded a fleet of War Vessels from this town his title would have been Admiral Sassy of the Sassyville Armada. For the record, Tchaikovsky was pretty Sassy in his own right.

Stands up to the test of time.......2001-08-24

Janos Starker is spoken of in hushed and fervent tones in cello circles. I grew up in Bloomington, IN and was closely associated with the School of Music at Indiana University. He is certainly only one of many esteemed and legendary performers teaching at the university, but he is one with an ability to change the lives of those who study with him. Listening to him perform gives me increasing respect for this big brother of the string family. Being a bassoonist, I thought I could do anything a cellist could do (and better! except double-stops, of course) but Mr. Starker's performance on this recording made the world aware of a rising star! He was in his early 30's at the time - 36 years prior to his Grammy award winning recording of the Bach Cello Suites. (That recording is an essential 2-CD cello collection.) Only 5 years into his tenure at Indiana, you can experience first-hand one of the talents that has made the Indiana University School of Music number one in the country throughout the 80's and 90's.

Sometimes one is enough..........2001-06-06

There is a rival to this recording out of Berlin, with Rostropovich playing the cello and von Karajan playing the conductor. Actually, I have the Tschaikovsky part of that disc on a DG twofer that features Slava in a number of works, including the Shostakovich No.2.

But Starker and Dorati are so fine in the Dvorak -- and the Mercury recording is a marvel of clarity and body -- I've been able to pass on to other things, never feeling the need for an alternate view. This disk seems to project Dvorak's view itself, what need for another?

When the heights become the expected.......2000-03-04

There's no reason to go into a long song and dance about Starker and Dorati here--the recordings are so famous and so coveted by collectors on original vinyl, that they're bound to make a perfect CD reissue. And they do.

Starker and Dorati's LSO strings have a thing going here--they match their attacks stylistically in superb ensemble--there's just a little bit of resin, of gut, on strings that give all three works a genuinely Slavic quality that is fascinating.

I don't think any historian would really consider the Bruch a very good work, but Starker and Dorati make it the best it can be. It certainly isn't an embarassment in the company of the Dvorak and Tchaikovsky which are refreshed to the point of renewed consideration of their virtues.

Amazing grace!.......2000-01-16

Janos Starker is an amazing performer and people can listen to his passion from these music.

Dvorák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Bruch Kol Nidrei; Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme / Dorati, Starker, London Symphony Orchestra (3-Channel and Stereo Hybrid SACD)

Average customer rating:

Dvorák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Bruch Kol Nidrei; Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme / Dorati, Starker, London Symphony Orchestra (3-Channel and Stereo Hybrid SACD)

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0007YP0UO
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Tracks:

Allegro
Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Finale. Allegro Moderato
Kol Nidrei, Op.47
Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33

Average customer rating:

Unforgettable Classics: Cello

Manufacturer: Classics for Pleasur
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000I765
Release Date: 1999-02-23

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Cello Concerto In D, Op 3 No 9: I Allegro - Vivaldi
Cello Concerto In G Minor: I Allegro - Artistes Varies
Cello Concerto In D: II Adagio - Haydn _
Cello Concerto In B Flat: III Rondo (Allegro) - Boccherini
Cello Suite No 1 In G: Prelude - Bach
Cello Suite No 1 In G: Courante - Bach
Cello Sonata No 3 In A: II Scherzo (Allegro molto) - Beethoven
Double Concerto for Violin and Cello In A Minor: III Vivace non troppo (opening) - Brahms
Allegro Appassionato - Artistes Varies
Elegie in C minor - Faure
Cello Concerto In B Minor: I Allegro (opening) - Dvorak
Cello Concerto In E Minor: III Adagio - Elgar
The Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan - Artistes Varies
Swan Lake: Act II - Dance of Odette and the Prince (conclusion) - Tchaikovsky
The Protecting Veil: The Incarnation - Tavener
Variations on a Rocco Theme: Introduction, Theme and Variation I Moderato semplice - Tchaikovsky
Variations on a Rocco Theme: Variations on a Rocco Theme, Variation III Allegro vivo - Tchaikovsky

Truls Mørk ~ Dvorak - Cello Concerto · Tchaikovsky - Rococo Variations / Jansons

Average customer rating:

The best I know for those seeking a modern stereo version
More from Truls Mørk
Fantastic!!!!!!

Truls Mørk ~ Dvorak - Cello Concerto · Tchaikovsky - Rococo Variations / Jansons
Antonin Dvorak , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Mariss Jansons , and Truls Mørk
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004YU7O
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

I Allegro
II Adagio Ma Non Troppo
III Allegro Moderato
Moderato Quasi Andante
Moderato Semplice
Variation I: Tempo Della Thema
Variation II: Tempo Della Thema
Variation III: Andante Sostenuto
Variation IV: Andante Grazioso
Variation V: Allegro Moderato
Variation VI: Andante
Variation VII & Coda: Allegro Vivo

Customer Reviews:

The best I know for those seeking a modern stereo version .......2006-12-10

My copy is older than the one offered here. I don't have the digitally remastered version. Nevertheless, this recording is an amazing achievement. I own about 35 different versions of the Dvorak Concerto #2 in b minor. (Yes, there is a #1 in A major, but never orchestrated by Dvorak.) His bowing is seamless. As one of my former cello teachers said, "he plays like a young Rostropovich." His reading is passionate and yet tender where called for. His timing and intonation are impeccable. None of the excesses of Jacqueline duPre here and the mediocre accompanient of the Chicago Symphony Orchesta. This is surely one of the most grand, symphonic concertos I know of for any instrument. As such, the orchestra takes on added importance and must be an equal partner. If Dvorak didn't care about the orchestra, he would have made this a sonata and not a concerto. There are two other orchestra that are slightly better on record: the NY Philharmonic (Yo Yo Ma) and the London Symphony Orchestra (Janos Starker). However, neither of these two soloists are the equal of Mork. Starker's version is curiously matter of fact. It doesn't sing where it should. Nevertheless, it is a fine recording. Ma's recording seems somewhat reticent, but much better than his first attempt. The Rose/Ormandy recording seems to drag, despite the fine contribution of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Harrell/Ashkenazy recording never really catches fire despite a meltingly beautiful second movement. The Rostropovich recordings with the BSO and BPO are very fine indeed and you won't be sorry to own either of them. Of the two Piatagorsky recordings (both mono), the one with Munch is a non-starter due to poor intonation. The one with Ormandy is available on a CD with the Saint-Saens concerto #1 and the Kol Nidre. If you like this coupling, buy it for the Kol Nidre. I have never heard a finer interpretation. There's no point in going on and on about other recordings. The Mork is simply in a class by itself and his rendition of the Rococo Variations is absolutely spellbinding and Jansons proves himself to be a fine partner even if his orchestra does not equal the very best. It's good enough for me.

More from Truls Mørk.......2006-08-21

As is not uncommon among those who treasure classical music, diverting attention to a particular artist provides not only satisfaction to the senses but also invigoration to the intellect. And for this listener such is the happy case for playing all of the recordings available in the personal library of the extraordinary Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk!

On this CD Mørk is joined by Mariss Jansons and the Oslo Philharmonic in a fine reading of the Dvorak Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104. Not being a devotee of this particular work brings a sense of spontaneity to hearing the old chestnut in the hands of a new artist, and for the first time the Dvorak work garners more importance: instead of being just a simply lovely Romantic era concerto, here is glows with an intensity in Mørk's bowing technique that is unlike any performance this listener has heard. It is a remarkably fine and significant experience.

But the true reason for adding this recording to the library is the amazing, dazzling, and gorgeous 'Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra in A major, Op. 33 by Tchaikovsky. Just when we think we've heard all the subtleties of this work in the hands of other cellists, up pops a definitive version that challenges even the more popular ones by better known cellists. The result is one of the very finest Rococo Variations ever recorded. It deserves very wide attention! Grady Harp, August 06

Fantastic!!!!!!.......2002-01-11

This is one of the best renditions, if not THE best, of the incredibly beautiful rococo variations by Tchaikovsky. If you like cello buy it now!

Dvorak: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

Average customer rating:

Absolutley Stunning
Still The Best Digital Recording Of Dvorak's Cello Concerto
Perhaps the best reading of the Dvorak concerto on disc

Dvorak: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000005E65
Release Date: 1992-02-03

Tracks:

Cello Concerto In B Minor: Allegro
Cello Concerto In B Minor: Adagio ma non troppo
Cello Concerto In B Minor: Finale: Allegro moderato
Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Customer Reviews:

Absolutley Stunning.......2005-01-04

The late Mstislav Rostropovich and Seiji Ozawa deliver probably the greatest digital recording of the Dvorak concerto. For those familiar with the analog Karajan/Rostropovich recording, this digital recording finds the soloist creating a similar impression married with a more supportive Ozawa and the Boston Symphony. Karajan's creamy string sound and often overly-dramatic stylization is replaced here by Ozawa's stricter approach; his handling of the orchestra is masterful in this taught, precise reading. The legendary Boston Symphony responds resplendently and, although they may not highlight the rustic Czech idiom of this music, they certainly bring much charm, warmth, and expected musicality to the accompaniment. But enough about the orchestra - on to Rostropovich.

Rostropovich is as stunning as ever here. His technique is second to none and his rich, full-bodied sound suites the bohemian master's concerto perfectly. Rostropovich's approach in this reading is tighter and stricter than in his Karajan recording, which creates a more focused and more satisfying interpretation. There are too many wonderful moments to highlight within each of the movements, but just to name a few, listen to Rostropovich's dazzling finger work in the opening movement, his subtlety in the wonderful slow movement, and his unstoppable energy in the finale. It is everything you could want the Dvorak Concerto to be.

The Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations are equally fine. Rostropovich and Ozawa give an equally exciting and phenomenal performance of the variations with the proper amount of refined grace and energy.

For those who cannot decide whether to buy Rostropovich under Karajan or under Ozawa, I obviously lean towards the latter, due mainly because Ozawa is a slightly more sensitive accompanist than Karajan and the Boston Symphony's timbral qualities are more appropriate to this music than the Berlin Philharmonic. Still, Karajan's recording is reference and his band equally accomplished. But in the end, its Rostropovich's show, and he certainly shines brightest here in these fantastic staples of the cello literature.

Still The Best Digital Recording Of Dvorak's Cello Concerto.......2001-11-11

Sound quality purists will certainly want this fine recording; among the most distinguished ever made by Rostropovich, Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Others will want it simply because it is undoubtedly one of the two best performances of the Dvorak Cello Concerto ever recorded - and both were performed by Maestro Rostropovich. Here he plays with a bit more passion than in his earlier Deutsche Grammophon recording, giving a masterful performance that penetrates the very depths of Dvorak's emotionally charged score. Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra yield one of their finest performances; perhaps the best I have heard of a concerto (Though I will confess that those I've heard with Perlman and Ozawa and the BSO performing the Berg Violin Concerto and Ax and Haitink and the BSO performing Brahms' 1st Piano Concerto are almost as excellent as this recording.). Erato's sound engineers have produced yet another superb recording. The sound quality of the winds and string sections is absolutely impeccable. I also enjoyed Rostropovich's vibrant performance of the Tchaikovsky score; it's just as fine as his earlier Deutsche Grammophon version. I own both this recording and Deutsche Grammophon's; it's a difficult decision for me to decide which has given me more pleasure.

Perhaps the best reading of the Dvorak concerto on disc.......2000-07-31

While there are moments when one could wish for the fuller, lusher sound of the BPO's strings, both Rostropovich's performance and the sound quality lift this recording of the Dvorak B-minor Concerto head and shoulders above the DG version with Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Rostropovich pushes the envelope again and again, giving his performance a drive and emotional intensity virtually unmatched by any other reading in the catalogs. Truly a Dvorak to move the soul.

While his playing is masterful in Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, here the Karajan/BPO disc reigns supreme.

Customer Reviews:

Cello? Yes. Romantic? -Erm, No........2006-10-26

This is not the Barry White collection of Cello music to play for your girlfriend when she comes over. You will not be saying "Yeah, Baby!" to this mix.

Kind of funny that classical music types brand themselves as such brainy folks, it's a laugh this disc is such an off-the-mark mixed bag. -Is this the best they could do? -Or is this "Romantic" to a classical music person?

Good music, well performed, but Not Romantic -at -all.

This CD is just so-so.......2004-05-10

I have to say I'm pretty disappointed by the CD. The pieces recorded in the CD don't work together. The performances of the cellists are even more unremarkable. If it's not because of Yo-Yo Ma, this CD probably won't even sell.

If you don't care about the performance or how different pieces work together, it might be OKAY for background music.

Don't buy if you are not buying this one to get the free shipment, like what I did. :p

If you're looking for a cello CD with small pieces of works, I'd hightly recommend "Le Violoncelle Du Siecle" by Mstislav Rostropovich. You'll love it.

Nice collection of works for the cello.......2002-06-06

Overall, this is a nice collection of previously recorded romantic cello works. While the album art leans heavily towards the "love" side of romance, the music does come from the Romantic period and early 20th century. To quote the liner notes: "This collection celebrates the emotional and technical range of the cello." While it does contain some very good recordings by excellent performers (Ma, Starker, Isserlis (one of my favorites), Piatigorsky, Harnoy), it does not contain complete recordings of the Elgar, Schumann, and Dvorak cello concertos. All are exceptional works for the cello (my favorite is Elgar, both to play and listen to), and it is a shame they are not included in their entirety. The addition of the Delius, Bruch and Bargiel pieces is nice. These are not too often heard, but are very nice works in their own right. As a cellist, I definitely recommend this album to anybody looking to learn more about the cello repertoire, and is nice background music if you appreciate the cello. If you're a cellist looking for recordings of some pieces on here, I only give this recording 3 stars, and recommend that you find the original album where these pieces were recorded, even if you have to spend a bit more money to get them all. That way, you have the complete pieces, in certain cases, plus the addition of other repertoire that might exist on the originals recordings.

Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

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Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104; Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Brahms: The Piano Trios

ASIN: B00000E2WS
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Dvorak: Symphony No9; Carnival Overture Op92

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Dvorak: Symphony No9; Carnival Overture Op92

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Adagio - Allegro molto - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Largo - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Scherzo (Molto vivace) - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Allegro con fuoco - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Carnival Overture. Op. 92 - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66 - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY

Tracks: