Customer Reviews

Concertos from the New World

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I am familiar with a great many of the recordings of this, the greatest of cello concertos and perhaps the greatest of all concertos. My recordings go as far back as Feuermann, Piatigorsky, Janiegro, Du Pre, Fournier, Wallfisch, Rostropovich, Shafran, Helmerson, Churchro, Starker, and others, including Ma's first recording featuring the execrable conducting of Lorin Maazel. This recording is revelatory, in my mind the greatest of all. Ma's cello playing is simply beyond belief, touched by the deepest of understanding of Dvorak's sentiments that went into the construction of the concerto (read: the historical novel nevertheless based on fact "Dvorak in Love" for more explanation). The playing is so unbelievably sympathetic, tender, recondite - yet when called for, so utterly dramatic. The final notes - including the way he languishes at the end - is spellbinding -- you'll feel like cheering. I had no idea the cello could be played like this until I heard this recording. The conducting is very good, almost up to the standard that I think was set by Neemi Jarvi in his recording on Bis. And the New York Philharmonic players, particularly the soloists (listen to the cello/violin duet in the 3rd movement, and the flutists!) are extraordinary - I'm no fan of NYC, but this is audibly one incredible orchestra, much better than the Berlin Philharmonic on Ma's first recording. If you only own one, or own many, you should own this: one of the great Dvorak recordings of all time, a performance that reminds us that just when you think you know a classical work, someone like Yo-Yo Ma can come along and redefine it in a way that only makes you wait for more from him. Put on your headphones to appreciate the subtlety of every note, the vibratto and rubatto, and treasure this gorgeous masterpiece.

Inspired by the concerto of cellist/composer Herbert, Dvoark composed this masterpiece from New York looking fondly homeward to Bohemia.

With its oblique and multilayered harmonizations, the Dvorak Concerto in B Minor features what the composer learned from Herbert, that it is possible and even lovely, to have this instrument sing from its high flying passages on the upper range. It also features an exquisite horn solo as well, with wonderful support from flute and wind section.

The later addition of the magnificent sixty measure coda was in honor of his sister-in-law Josefina.

Although there are other worthy recordings such as Rostropovich and Casals, this new recording with Masur leading the NY Phil is supreme. Ma is passionate and gives magnificent inflection on the opening scales in octaves ending the first movement with great fanfare.

This CD is stunningly beautiful. The mix is perfect, with the orchestra and cello complementing each other. Yo Yo Ma is surely one of the premier musicians of our time, classical or otherwise, and his passion for music shows through in the playing of this concerto. The story behind the music is Dvorak wrote this for his beloved sister-in-law, using a song of his that she loved for the basis of the second movement. He had nearly finished the piece when he got word that she had passed away. He then reworked the ending, making it a good-bye to her. Ma deftly shows us all the love and grief in this concerto.

I witnessed this performance in NYC and it was mind blowing...the CD delivers the same impact. If you Dvorak cello concerto by another cellist (Starker, perhaps?) don't hesitate to pick up this CD...Yo-Yo Ma's performance is much different.

Dvorak is obviously one of the most superb concerto composers in egsistance but this album brings togeather in perfect harmony the sounds that you want to hear on an evening night of obsorbing wonderful music. Not only does the orchestra have a wonderful idea of how Dovorak wanted this to be played, but the cellest is perfect in their interpretation. The sweet sound of the cello does not overpower the orchestra in this sellection, but neither does the orchestra. You will be astounded repeadidly by one of Dovorak's most wonderful concertos trully brought to life.

I have been listening over and over to the third movement and the orchestral playing of the NY Phil is simply stunning. Stanley Drucker's clarinet dialog with Mr. Ma is beyond words, as are the mellifluous playing of first oboe Joe Robinson and first trumpet Phil Smith - gorgeous, gorgeous perfectly modulated sounds.

The work continuous to echo over and over in my mind; the energy Masur creates, the excitement, the subtlety, the sudden expansions of sound, are just amazing.