Search - Johannes Brahms, Ernest Bloch, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky :: Brahms: Double Concerto; Block: Schelomo; Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations

Legendary cellist Pablo Casals, in later life a distinguished conductor, leads his own "festival orchestra" in the Brahms in a live performance on May 29, 1969. The late Hungarian conductor Antal Dorati leads the North German Radio Orchestra in the Bloch work, from a live performance of January 13, 1975. Gervase de Peyer, best known as England's premiere clarinetist, conducts the London Mozart Players in 1976 in the orchestral accompaniment to the Tchaikovsky work. During his long life (1916-1999) and career, Sir Yehudi Menuhin became one of the world's most famous violinists. A child prodigy, he soloed with the San Francisco Symphony at the age of seven. Cellist Leslie Parnas was born in St. Louis on November 11, 1931. At sixteen, he enrolled in the Curtis Institute under the tutelage of the legendary Gregor Piatigorsky and Demetrius Dounis. His debut came at fourteen, soloing with the St. Louis Little Symphony. By his mid-twenties, Parnas was regularly achieving high honors at major competitions. In later years, Parnas was closely associated with Pablo Casals. Leslie Parnas is one of the most distinguished cellists of our time. Presented here are three live concerts of works from among the most important solo cello repertoire, demonstrating his profound artistry, ravishingly beautiful, expressive tone, and technical virtuosity.