Search - Joseph Haydn, Luigi Boccherini, Sir John Barbirolli :: Jacqueline du Pre: Haydn - Cello Concertos Nos.1 & 2; Boccherini - Cello Concerto

Great century classics of du Pre at budget price

Matthew M. Yau | San Francisco, CA | 05/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"EMI Classics releases this mid-line "Great Recordings of the Century" compilation that samples cello concertos of Haydn and Boccherini. Cellist Jacqueline du Pre passed at the summit of her career but no doubt this compilation, which is once again a miniature and a re-release of works that are already available in numerous CDs, confirms her place in the pantheon of cellists. This compilation consists of Cello Concerto No.1 in C and Cello Concerto No.2 in D by Haydn, and Cello Concerto in B flat by Boccherini. Once again it recapitulates du Pre's agile, oracular power of communication. The famous 1967 recordings of these concertos still may raise eyebrows amongst today's authentic performance hall. Even though these three pieces may be available from previous full-price releases, it is doubtful whether these selections have ever been mastered on disc with such immaculate, passionate intensity, which is the reason why I decide to get this compilation.The Haydn C major, under du Pre's rendition, truly accentuates its formal elegance and economy and its fresh, spirited thematic ideas. Few cellists could even compete with her phenomenal dexterity of fingers and bowing wrist which manifested in the delicacy of the nuance. Each of the three movements of the C major is in full sonata form. The imposing but asymmetrical main theme dominates the first movement. Du Pre takes up and richly embellishes the principal theme. The mid development culminates in a powerful ritornello that pulls the music back to C major for the recapitulation.The Haydn D major is in complete contrariety to the C major. It is a far more relaxed, leisure, and expansive work than its predecessor, with each note being unfolded leisurely. The opening theme of the D major sets the tone while a secondary theme in the orchestral ritornello is executed in a decorous manner. The development is discursive with little of Haydn's signature harmonic tension. This piece lacks the romantic, bold tone in C major that carries the musical line forward in an exhilarating presence.As many listeners have known, a German composer and cellist by the name of Friedrich Grützmacher in 1895 did a major overhaul of Bocherini's Cello Concerto in B flat, giving it a romantic quality Boccherini never would have known. The most outrageous arrangement was the replacement of the slow movement with a more bold, intense adagio movement that lends the piece's romantic touch. And again du Pre's rendition is immaculate.This is a budget-priced CD with a sampling of some of du Pre's greatest performances that are probably unmatched even by today's standards.2004 (35) © MY"

Classic Du Pre, Unnecessary Release

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 07/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD confirms the great cellist Jacqueline Du Pre in a place of well deserved honor -- in the elite company of the world's best classical performers and conductors as featured in EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" series. The problem is everyone already knew she was great and we have all had access to these recordings previously on CD. However, this mid-line title does make for a much better release than the still available full-price CD coupling one of the two Haydn Cello Concertos featured here with her recording of the Dvorak with then hubby Barenboim. However, the best way to get these magnificent works is in one of several larger EMI collections of Du Pre playing Cello Concertos -- my favorite being the 4-CD "The Concerto Collection." Du Pre's artistry is so incredible that it makes any and all purchases worth it."