Search - Dvorak, Saint-Saens, Rostropovich :: Dvorak & Saint-Sans:Cello Concertos

Rostropovich and Giulini in top form

12/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The "benchmark" recording of the Dvorak according to most guides is the Rostropovich/Karajan pairing. But forgot the cello playing for the moment and compare the orchestral playing in the opening bars. Karajan selects a brisker tempo and uses a more dramatic approach; Guilini's introduction is darker, richer, more meditative, and as if often the case with his conducting, slower. In this case, the cello playing being equal in both recordings, the nod goes to Guilini in the accompaniment. As for the Saint-Saens, you will be hard-pressed to find a more fiery performance than this one."

Beautiful music in outstanding performances.

D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 09/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To my ears, Rostropovich was the greatest cellict of the 20th century and Giulini was one of the half dozen or so greatest conductors. Combine the two and you have the finest performance of Dvorak's beautiful cello concerto that I've ever heard. The Saint-Saens concerto, although no quite up to the level of Dvorak's masterpiece, is still quite lovely and the performance -- like that of the Dvorak -- is outstanding. For some reason Rostropovich's pairing with Giulini has not sold as well as it should have. Whatever the reason, it is not for lack of superb playing and conducting. This CD is a treasure to be snapped up while it's still available."