Customer Reviews

Dvorák: Cello Concerto, Op. 104 / Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, Op. 33

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a tough one to call. Admittedly, the sound quality of Erato's recording of Rostropovich performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto and the Tchaikovsky Rocco Variations is still better than Deutsche Grammophon's digital image bit remastered version with Rostropovich accompanied by Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Certainly for both recordings, Rostropovich gives warm, passionate performances of these works; his interpretations in the Erato recording may sound more vibrant than these on the Deutsche Grammophon CD, but this may have more to do with sound quality than with his splendidly lyrical playing. However, without question, the Deutsche Grammophon recording does offer Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic at its best. I doubt I have heard a better concerto recording from them; most noteworthy is the lush, warm tone created by the strings, sounding almost as warm as any I have heard from the Vienna Philharmonic's string sections. You certainly won't go wrong acquiring either the Deutsche Grammophon or Erato CDs; I own both and enjoy them immensely.

This is a supreme classic of the gramophone catalogue. It is a glorious disc, representing Rostropovich at his peak. The Berlin Philharmonic and Karajan are on top form as well. From the rapt opening of the Dvorak concerto, Karajan and his band create the most wonderful atmosphere for the soloist to play in. Dvorak's Cello concerto is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, work for the cello in the concerto repertoire. Rostropvich's magnificently full tone is perfect for this work. There is hardly anything you could criticise about the disc. The Dvorak is full of passion, fire, lyricism you could wish for, but Rostropvich doesn't pull out all the stops. He keeps certain degrees of fire in reserve for the really big moments. The dialog between the soloist and orchstra are unmatched in its chamber-like quality. It's a give-and-take performance, and what a performance! This particular recording of the Rococo Variations is unsurpassed. It has so much wit, panache, elegance, and the addition of Karajan being a master Tchaikovskian helps enormously. The playing matches the beauty and elegance and the Rustic charm of this piece fully with the soloist. This piece is pretty difficult to play, as there are many technical difficulties which surround the soloist, but Rostropovich, with his rich palette of tone colours, make the piece sound easy, very easy. My favouite in the Variations has to be the Finale, where Rostropovich finally pulls out all his powers and lets rip. The way he 'talks' with the orchestra is unmatched in its imaginativeness. All the parties involved really give the impression that they are really having fun, which in turn gives the listener the same impression. A most joyful way to end a glorious disc. I realise that I have been pretty indulgent with my use of superlatives, but I am lost for words, really. It really is a great disc, whose reputation is for once not exaggerated. If you don't have this CD right now, you should get a copy immediately.

I found this CD to be an absolute delight! From opening to closing measure of both the Dvorak cello concerto and the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations, cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Herbert von Karajan, team up to establish a splendid musical dialog. The cello concerto, one of Dvorak's greatest masterpieces, is at the same time warm, passionate and lyrical. I've personally never heard a better performance of the second movement - adagio ma non troppo - with its almost ethereal quality. Tchaikovsky's "Rococo variations" are sheer magic from start to finish.

This is another of Deutsche Grammophon's "Originals" series, a digital re-mastering of recordings made in 1969. I found the sound quality to be quite outstanding. While retaining some of the characteristics of the original analog recording, dynamic range and realism in stereo imaging are enhanced. The recording's locale adds to the warmth of the performances.

This CD was awarded a rosette by the Penguin Guide to Compact Discs. (The rosette is the Penguin Guide's highest accolade, given to a recording of special distinction). For lovers of both Dvorak's cello concerto and Tchaikovsky's "Rococo Variations," this is THE CD to own!

I own 8 recordings of this work (including performances by DuPre, Fournier, Casals, etc.) and this one is by far the most perfect: technically and emotionally. Only the DuPre/Barenboim/Chicago Symphony Orchestra even comes close.

Rostropovich's technique shimmers and sparkles.. like Heifetz on the cello. But unlike Heifetz, Rostropovich can let emotion and passion flow at precisely the right time. I could (and do!) listen to this recording ALL the time. It never gets old... and that's proof that this recording is somehow more than itself: it brings the listener to a higher plane- a heightened state of consciousness. When listening to this piece, somehow everything in the world just makes sense. Dvorak and his world are long gone, but through this piece I hear him. And all of a sudden, I understand... it's strangely spiritual.

If you are even remotely interested in classical music, you MUST experience this CD. I bought it years ago for full price (something like $17) and I haven't regretted a penny of it. Now, at the new pricing, you can get it for half the price and double the fun!

Buy it. NOW.

This was my first recording of the Dvorak and my overall, general image of the piece has always been nothing short of a masterpiece.
What is so astonishing is the complete authority Ropstropovich hs over the orchestra which ensures that all of his nuances are completely understood by Karajan, the most dependable and collected conductor of all time.
This recording, which gathers the Cellist's massive sound and the BPO's unbelievable richness of quality, leaves me on a musical journey of which I never want to return. The concerto's searing melodies and satisfying harmonies provide a calming release from the world.
The emotional "journey-like" satsifaction I get listening to this recording may be also attributed to the way Rostropovich holds on to every note as precious. The greatest moments of this disc are the quiet ones, when the cello melody sobs above the orchestra, like a whisper..
An essential CD no doubt. I will never be without it.

The acnowledged master of the cello, Mstislav Rostropovich, much like jazz piano virtuoso Oscar Peterson, grunts and plays his way through what I feel to be the greatest of the romantic concertos for cello. Although my favourite Rostropovich rendition of this piece, conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, is not to be found (so far..) on CD; this one, with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin is nearly as masterful - if perhaps a touch 'stiffer', in my opinion. Rostropovich takes this richly Slavonic concerto and makes it his own. Once you have heard him perform this piece, no other cellist will do. He is simply the best, and this is one of his best vehicles for showcasing his mastery of the instrument.

The Dvorak is quite good, but if you haven't heard this "Roccoco Variations" you simply must obtain this cd. It has been a while since I have been absolutely entranced by a piece of music, but Rostropovich's playing in the Tchaikovsky is heavenly. Truly deserving a place with the great recordings.

this recording but it remains...[to be] the best recordings of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of this recording is the feeling of nostalgia in the final movement that is very moving.

There is an emotional attachment on the part of Mstislav Rostropovich that goes to the heart of this concerto. The Berlin Philharmonic is simply superb. I, too, have several recordings of this cello concerto, and I have heard it in performance several times. There are many finely recorded performances that come to mind: Du Pre, Yo Yo Ma and others with Rostropovich. This one may not outshine all others, however, it is a recording of this concerto that demands to be heard and fully deserves to be considered a classic.

The Rococo Variations of Tchaikovsky are well played with the same attention to detail and feeling as the Dvorak...

If you enjoy the Dvorak Cello Concerto, this disc should be in your collection...

Rostropovich's rendition is unrivalled. His background gives him the power of understanding Dvorak's meaning. Just as Wagner's music tells us something about the Teutonic legacy, Dvorak's reveals the Slavic soul. This is the singularly most Slavic piece in the cello repertoir and it's lyrical quality draws us to some distant field or village, cathedral or fortress deep in Eastern Europe. You feel the vacillations between anguish and joy, melancholy and triumph.....as if some poet is reciting the tale of Dvorak's very race. Rostropovich, a member of this same race, understands this epic.....this is as much his story and the story of every Czech, Russian, Serb and Pole, as it is Dvorak's.

This is a beautiful recording, but I cannot listen to it on my stereo unless I constantly adjust the volume, up for the cello, down for the full orchestra. If I leave the volume at a level where the full orchestra will not be too loud, then I miss everything that makes this recording really special. But if I leave the volume where I can hear the cello clearly, then the full orchestra is painfully loud. Just be aware, if you are not an audiophile, this CD may not be right for you.