Customer Reviews

Impressions (works by Elgar, Haydn & Beethoven) Jacqueline du Pre

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

 

 

I do think that du Pre plays the best among the other performers for the Elgar concerto. It is only du Pre who is able to bring out the passion, the flame, and the intensity to the concerto, espectially for the 1st and 4th movement. The 2nd movement also shows her technique - full of semiquavers, yet she plays with clarity and has that sort of drive in her playing. This piece has certainly touched me. The Haydn concerto is somewhat too passionate for a 'Haydn' style. Nevertheless, a very 'down to earth' playing. As for the Beethoven Ghost trio, again, beautiful solo passages, and good coordination with the violin and the piano, yet i would say the tempo is a bit too slow. Other than that, it's just perfect. As an overall, i would certainly recommendthis cd to all cello music lovers, a very very touching performance indeed.

I remember some reviewer on this website writing that piano of Barenboim was "lame", I think, was the word. I had not realised it listening to another CD containing Brahms' Cello Sonata played by Du Pre and Barenboim. So I didn't give much thought about it when I bought this CD.

Du Pre's Elgar is absolutely fabulous, not that I am an expert, but still could tell. Haydn likely emotional and full.

But Beethoven Sonate with Barenboim is not fluent at all. It sounds as if he is lagging behind Du Pre, or, she is waiting for him to catch up. I have another recording of this Sonate in the same year with Du Pre and S. Kovacevich - this one is 10 times better! So, if you want to hear her Beethoven Sonate, don't buy this one. I just wanted to warn about it.

This is an amazing album: four amazing works played with such passion and communication by Du Pre. This is my first exposure to Du Pre, and she's magnificent. The Elgar is amazing, but my favourite cd is the second with the two Beethoven works on it, which have become two of my favourite works after hearing them here! Such a satisfying cd - one of those desert island cds for classical lovers, i think.