Search - Antonin Dvorak, Jiri Belohlavek, Prague Philharmonic Orchestra :: Dvorák: Cello Concerto

Splendid performances of an unusual coupling

E. Davis | Bloomfield, NJ USA | 03/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the problems in recording the Dvorak cello concerto that has faced many an engineer, is how to record it so that the balance is right, so that the orchestra does not overpower the soloist. Since the concerto is almost always recorded with a full, symphony orchestra, the answer usually lies with the engineer miking the soloist much more closely. This results in an artificial balance; a balance that would never be heard in a concert hall. In this recording, there is less of a problem since the accompanying orchestra is a chamber orchestra. This results in a more natural balance (although the soloist is still miked a bit forward here). Another plus here is that there is more clarity in the orchestral parts. But the downside is that this is a huge, sweeping, symphonic concerto that cries out for a full orchestra. And the problem with most recordings that use a full orchestra is, in addition to the problem indicated above, that the orchestra can sometimes sound muddy or unfocused. It's difficult to differentiate individual sections or groups within sections.



This recording works surprisingly well. Queyras is a fine cellist with a smooth, burnished sound and impeccable intonation and is content to let the music speak for itself instead of trying to wring every last ounce of emotion as in the recording by Jacqueline de Pre and the CSO. His first movement is a bit slow for my taste (15:24). Here are some first movement comparisons:



Starker/LSO--15:08; Mork/OPO--15:04; Rostropovich/BPO--15:36 (!); du Pre/CSO--15:19.



I am more than a little surprised at how well the orchestra does,since this appears to be not quite a pick-up group, but, as the notes say, an orchestra of "flexible size." The best orchestral accompaniment is the LSO with Starker, but many are put off from this recording by what they see as Starker's laconic approach to the music. My own #1 choice is Mork with the Oslo PO. The Oslo are not in the same league as the LSO or the NYP (with Ma), but they are good enough and Mork is virtually in a class by himself. But this is a very fine performance, albeit quirky due to the use of a chamber orchestra.



Most other recordings couple the Dvorak concerto either with another concerto (Saint-Saens #1, Haydn C major) or with Kol Nidre and/or the Rococo Variations. For the uninitiated, Dumky is plural for Dumka. A Dumka is a song, probably Ukranian in origin (but no one sings here). It is really a misnomer to call this a trio, even though there are three players. It is really a six-movement suite. Here, Queyras teams up with violinist, Isabelle Faust and pianist Alexander Melnikov for a very enjoyable Dumky. If they don't give the outstanding, nuanced performance of the 1978 Suk trio recording, they are good enough for most tastes and the recorded sound is very fine. Remember, the Czechs have this music in their blood.



Bottom line: If this coupling appeals to you, grab it since I don't know of any competing version. If you are a casual collector and want only one recording, I think the Mork will suit you well. If you are a cellist, cello fancier or a collector of multiple versions, you should feel no hesitation to add this one to your collection along with any others you own. You will be coming back to it many times. (Disclaimer: I have not heard the Wispelwey recording)."