Customer Reviews

The Dvorak Album

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Do not buy this record. I did, without reading any reviews, thinking that with the lovely, lyric Dvorak cello concerto and the superb cellist Yo-Yo Ma, I could hardly go wrong. Yes, the Dvorak is an outstanding composition, and Yo-Yo Ma plays very well, but the audio engineering on this recording is a disaster.

Reviewer C. Kang senses that something is not quite right when he says "The recording sounds a bit quiet", and reviewer Robert Preziose hits the nail on the head when he says that the cello line simply gets lost because the audio engineers did not properly emphasize what should be a singing, lyric line, at least balanced with the orchestra in some places, and soaring above it in others, or clearly audible when on its own, even in the quietest passages. Having to strain to hear the cello line in this recording, from first to last, robs the listener of any pleasure in the music. Yo-Yo Ma sounds as if he were playing in a closet. The audio engineers botched this one very badly, ruining a good performance, which is a pity and a crying shame.

I was so grievously disappointed when I listened to this record that I went and bought two other recordings of the Dvorak cell concerto, both of which were immensely satisfying (wonderful lyrical music, great playing by cello soloist and orchestra, and excellent sound and balance) and can be highly recommended.

(1) Mstislav Rostropovich, cellist, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Carlo Maria Giulini [EMI Classics]. The Dvorak is paired with the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1, which is not in the same league as Dvorak's masterpiece, but is a nice, interesting piece of music. Rostropovich is outstanding.

(2) Pierre Fournier, cellist, with the Berlin Philharmonic under George Szell [Deutsche Grammophon Musikfest]. Fournier is also outstanding. The Dvorak is coupled with Bloch's Shelomo, which is not to my taste (lots of rhapsody but not much melody) and Bruch's Kol Nidrei, a single adagio movement, which I liked very much.

Either one of these recordings of the Dvorak cello concerto is a much better bet than this one by Yo-Yo Ma. Reviewer Robert Preziose recommends the recording by Jacqueline Du Pre, which I do not have and cannot comment upon, but which you should certainly investigate and consider.

words fail me on how to describe performance in this CD.It's very good, one of the best interpretations I have heard in a very long time. I must confess that since i discovered Ma du Pre I have not been able to listen to anything else nor did I attempt to do so. But out of the blue I bumped into this CD by chance & after hearing Yo Yo Ma's phraising especially the 1st movement infact the whole of Dvorak Cello was like something new to me.Ma plays with passion,emotions & strong commitment to the music in a different way.The Ochestra is in top form & allows the solo cello to shine at the right time.I never thought there is another interpretation that could surpass M.Rostropovich(Im sorry to say this I know he is a living legend & the 1969 record with Karajan is held in high esteem). Ma is accompanied by my favourate violinist Itzhak Perlman on "Humosresque no.7 for piano" & "Slavonic Dance no.10 in E minor"- the results are so sweet as many people know Perlman is a romantic specialist his tone with Ma's cello is heavenly.With regard to the "songs my mother taught me" the cello sounds good not best for the track personally im so used to hear the song being played on violin.There's nothing wrong with the cello it's just that it 's tone is a bit too strong for the composition but it's very well interpreted by Ma. They call this transcription in musical terms. Actually Ma deserves an apology as im one of those who have accused him of lacking in emotions &"look at me now i can play anything" attitude.I think those allegations are baseless & unwarranted when u hear this CD u will know u are into something beautiful. Overall grab this very fast before many people realise Yo-Yo Ma 's greatest gift of song.

Yo Yo Ma has the perfect tender and romantic feel for Dvorac. Unfortunately he is not a powerful performer. He is relatively subdued and that is okay with this music. The fault on the very first selection, the concerto, is the recording. It is though he is in the middle of the orchestra playing with everyone else. There is very little presence given to him by the engineer in the mix down. This is very unfortunate. The listener must pick out the lead performer.
I used to 'bury' musicians when they weren't up to par for the good of the whole recording. Everyone including the musican were grateful for this. However, Yo Yo was not having a bad day, and you never bury the lead. Shame on you guys in the booth.
The rest of the album is just fine.
I suggest purchasing Jacqueline du Pre 'A Lasting Inspiration' for fine cello and very fine recording and if you compare the two you will understand exactly what I mean to convey.

The CD of Dvorak's music including his concerto for cello (which is why I ordered it) is excellent and a JOY to have. I'd recommend it to other lovers of classical music.

A beautiful redition of the Dvorak Concerto. Not big and boomy like von Karajan and Rostropovich, but delicate, precise and emotional. I'm not saying the aformentioned is bad, not by any stretch. But, the contact the player has made with the work, in this case, cannot be beat.

I am fond of everything that YoYo does. He is the classical artistan who can go outside his natural circle and become the people's artist. He is so expessive and gives his all to the score of Dvorak.

The range of Yo Yo Ma's musical offerings is awesome. Is there nothing he's not willing to play--and do so beautifully! The richness of this recording is wonderful on a dark December day.

There is no better music than Dvorak and there is only one Yo Yo Ma.

I had bought this CD solely for the Humoresque. But all the pieces are beautiful, particularly the latter in the listed order. This album is excellent and I highly reccommend it. This was my first exposure to the cello, but it has motivated me to try to attend a live Yo-Yo Ma concert.

YoYo Ma is YoTo Ma. When it comes Chello, YoYo Ma and Dvorak combo cannot be beaten if you appreciate Chello concerto. The recording sounds bit quiet but otherwise it's another success by YoYo.