Haydn: Cello Concertos

Franz Joseph Haydn (Composer), Mstislav Rostropovich (Conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
• Conductor: Mstislav Rostropovich
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
• Audio CD (March 14, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00004R8TN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,082 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haydn's contribution to the cello repertoire, July 29, 2005

By 

Alan Lekan (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Haydn: Cello Concertos (Audio CD)

After Vivaldi and Boccherini - both of which who wrote a lot of music for the cello - there was not so much writing for the cello from the major composers until Beethoven's dramatic cello sonatas. But even Beethoven did not compose a cello concerto. Neither did Mozart or Schubert. However, in the late 18th century, Joseph Haydn wrote two very melodic and virtuostic cello concertos composed with his typical Vienesse good taste to give cello players and enthusiasts through the ages something to truly celebrate.

Are these recordings of the ASMF and Rostropovich deserving of the accolade of "Great Recording of the Century?" Maybe, I'm not sure what the measure is to get that title. But certainly listening to these concertos, you clearly get a sense of a great performance by both Rostro but equally from the ASMF orchestra whose beautiful tone, tempos and interaction with the soloist all seem to be well judged and well-suited to Haydn - whose music always seemed to be composed with such finesse and fine taste. The EMI sound also is really excellent - full and balanced.

These cello concertos feature very attractive and lyrical cello parts but also difficult technical passages that should particularly delight the cello enthusiasts. Mr. Rostropovich blazes through these sections with deft and confidence that is impressive to hear. While his style may seem at times to be "heavy," it does not mean it is all wrong or that he is incapable of exuding a lyrical smoothness. His style is his style - which is one of a dramatic and powerful tone (coming from his deep and powerful Stradivarius cello). Other cellists may convey more of a "sweeter" style, but Mr. Rostropovich's precise and bold playing here combined with the superb ASMF performance and vivid sound is a winner to me.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rostropovich is marvelous, but which version to choose?, August 9, 2006

By 

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

Rostropovich plays with such panache and good humor in both these Haydn concertos that there's no room for complaint--he's brilliant technically and is backed by alert, sprightly accompaniments from Iona Brown and the ASMF. At 50 min., this CD isn't much of a bargain, however. You can get the First Concerto from Rostropovich two other ways. One is a Decca performance with Benjamin Britten making twice as much of the orchestral part as Brown does. The finale is taken faster, too, which allows Rostropovich to astound us even more. But that CD only has him in this piece, the rest being filled out with other Haydn concerti for winds.

There is also a DG recording of both concertos under Paul Sacher that I remember from the Sixties. It's as brilliant as this CD but not as well recorded. The plus side is that DG's budget reissue contains cello concertos by Boccherini, so the timing is much more generous. These are just random thoughts about various Rostropovich versions--this one is certainly appealing on its own and delivers the goods on all counts..

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give your self a treat and listen to this!, August 13, 2009

By 

homeros8000 "Homeros" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Haydn: Cello Concertos (Audio CD)

This is one of the most inspired peformances I have ever heard. Rostrpovich seems to play from the heart, and he plays every note with such warmth and expressive tenderness unmatched by other players. A truly great recording!