Dvorák / Herbert: Cello Concertos

Gautier Capucon (Artist), Antonín Dvorák (Composer), Victor Herbert (Composer), Paavo Järvi (Conductor), Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Paavo Järvi
• Composer: Antonín Dvorák, Victor Herbert
• Audio CD (February 24, 2009)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Classics
• ASIN: B001JJYEGC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,899 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Gramophone

Gautier Capuçon plays the cello with the control and wisdom of a much older musician. The lightness of his touch and the consistent clarity of his bow strokes are quite admirable in themselves, but when combined with an uncanny sweetness of tone in the higher registers they are breathtaking.

Product Description

Acclaimed cellist Gautier Capuçon presents his third concerto recording for Virgin Classics, following his early disc of Haydn concertos in 2003, and his 2007 recording of the Brahms Double Concerto with his brother, violinist Renaud Capuçon. Here he is accompanied by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra under Paavo Järvi, the German ensemble's music director since September 2006.

This release brings together Capuçon's emotionally-charged reading of perhaps the greatest cello concerto, composed by Antonín Dvorˇák in the USA in 1895. Alongside the Dvorˇák is the comparatively little-known work that inspired it: the lyrical and highly virtuosic Cello Concerto No.2 in E Minor by Irish-born Victor Herbert (1859-1924).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant and soulful aren't quite enough in the Dvorak, April 14, 2009

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Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorák / Herbert: Cello Concertos (Audio CD)

Gautier Capucon is the 27-year-old younger brother of violinist Renaud Capucon. Both have been taken under the wing of Martha Argerich -- they can be heard on several installments of her summer chamber music from Lugano (on EMI). They also attracted attention with some award-winning Brahms piano trios, quickly becoming pets of the Gramophone (considering that Gautier looks like the Jean-Pierre Leaud of the cello, there's no wonder).

Now Gautier steps out with "the" cello concerto, a masterpiece of Dvorak's that every famous virtuoso has put his stamp on. We are awash in fine cellists at the moment, both young and old, so I wondered if Capucon could make his version sound distinctive. When paired with his brother and Argerich, he's quite intense, although his tone is smaller and sweeter than one hears from the likes of a superstar like Rostropovich. Temperamentally, he's not fiery but displays an appealing soulfulness, which is put to good use in the slow movement of the Dvorak. But at the outset Capucon is given a sadly dragging tempo by Paavo Jarvi, who is ordinary othrwise, and the Frankfurt orchestra is neither plush nor virtuosic.

Even so, Capucon holds one's attention. He has musical instincts and draws you in with his phrasing more than his power. This isn't a commanding Dvorak concerto, more a poetic one. There's more energy and vitality in Victor Herbert's Cto. #2, a favorite among cellists since the composer, himself a cello virtuoso, writes so well for the instrument. I find it an engaging but pretty slight work and enjoyed Capucon's performance while it was going on.

In the end, this CD isn't all that compelling given such stiff competition, and I don't think Capucon yet establishes a strong artistic profile. but he's appealing, and one never knows.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meeting cellist Gautier Capucon, June 21, 2009

By 

Jacqueline Craigo "Hobby farmer" (Pine River, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dvorák / Herbert: Cello Concertos (Audio CD)

Dvorak and Herbert Cello Concertos: Hearing Gautier Capucon play the Victor Herbert and Antonin Dvorak Concertos with Paavo Jarvi conducting the Frankfort Radio Symphony was a refreshing and exciting experience.
Capucon plays the cello with a wonderful depth and richness that captivated me from the first notes to the last.

0 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dvorak Victor Herbert: Cello Concertos, March 27, 2009

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Gay McC (Alpharetta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dvorák / Herbert: Cello Concertos (Audio CD)

I gave this to a friend who plays the cello and he really likes it. I have not heard it. Didn't want to open the covering before giving it as a present.