Jacqueline du Pré - a lasting inspiration

Antonin Dvorak (Artist), Franz Joseph Haydn (Artist), Edward Elgar (Artist), Maria Theresia von Paradis (Artist), Robert Schumann (Artist), Felix Mendelssohn (Artist), Gabriel Faure (Artist), Johann Sebastian Bach (Artist), Camille Saint-Saens (Artist), Manuel de Falla (Artist), Max Bruch (Artist), Ludwig van Beethoven (Artist), Johannes Brahms (Artist), Cesar Franck (Artist), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Artist), London Symphony Orchestra (Artist), Daniel Barenboim (Artist), Sir John Barbirolli (Artist), Jacqueline du Pré (Artist), Pinchas Zukerman (Artist), Roy Jesson (Artist), Gerald Moore (Artist), John [guitar] Williams (Artist), Osian Ellis (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000K4F9
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,517 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Reeds & Winds > English Horn
  • #28 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > Trios
  • #79 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard > Organ

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Audio CD

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, February 12, 2002

By 

"badric" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jacqueline du Pré - a lasting inspiration (Audio CD)

Jacqueline Du Pré was an amazing performer. Her career was tragically cut short by multiple sclerosis, but she had many opportunities to demonstrate that she was one of the finest musicians of the 20th century. This compilation is a wonderful sample of her many talents, both in big symphonic works and in intimate chamber pieces.

The first CD consists of cello concertos and includes the two recordings that Du Pré is best remembered for: Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major and Elgar's Cello Concerto in C minor. The Haydn concerto is a beautifully flowing piece that allows Du Pré to show her amazing technique and almost childlike fascination with music, while the Elgar concerto is a very poignant, almost tragic piece where she gives way to some of her most passionate and temperamental playing. The second CD is entirely devoted to chamber music and includes many lesser known pieces of the cello repertoire.

Jacqueline Du Pré's playing is always lyrical, temperamental, passionate and energetic. She had the ability to make the cello sound like a human voice and she constantly avoided conventionalisms. Almost 60 years after her birth she still remains a force to be reckoned with.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 99% perspiration, November 7, 2006

By 

Sarah Bellum (Dublin, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jacqueline du Pré - a lasting inspiration (Audio CD)

(4.5/5 stars) This is a two-disc collection of musical works, in which the great cellist Jacqueline du Pre plays. The first disc consists of three cello concerti by three different composers: Dvorak (Romantic), Haydn (Classical) and Elgar (Romantic). Very good music, though it might leave you wondering what all the fuss is about. Not to worry: just pop in Disc Two to find out. The second disc contains shorter works by a wider variety of composers. It also might just leave you breathless by its beauty. Saint-Säens' "The Swan" (from "Carnival of the Animals") is nearly indescribable in its elegance, with du Pre's cello dancing with a harp. This haunting recording should not be missed. Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" is magnificently gorgeous as well. Three fantasy pieces from Schumann, one of Mendelssohn's "Lieder Ohne Wörter" and a stunning Brahms sonata infuse this collection with genuine grace. Since these were recorded prior to the advent of digital recordings, you might hear a very slight hiss on some of the recordings. This is barely audible and really does not detract from the pleasure of listening to it. Each disc runs 75 minutes, making this inspiration last long indeed.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Immortal Legend, October 7, 2006

By 

leelee (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Jacqueline du Pré - a lasting inspiration (Audio CD)

As a cellist, I grew up listening to Jacqueline Du Pre's recordings. Even now as a 35 year old, I'm still enthralled by her amazing talent. This is a great cd if one is looking for a wonderful introduction to this superb cellist or simply wants to savor her most well known recordings. Du Pre owned the "Elgar" concerto. No other words can summarize this fact. Other beautiful and moving pieces are here on this disc: Bruch "Kol Nidrei", Haydn "Concerto No.2", Faure "Elegie", Brahms "Concerto No.2". The cello is a difficult instrument to play due to the strength required in both hands. Du Pre's playing touches the heartstrings with both emotion and depth. The tone that she coaxes from her cello is amazing. Jacqueline Du Pre is a legend.