Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
Pristine Classical release: Rostropovich's first Dvorak, Miaskovsky concerto recordings
45 views
Skip to first unread message
Andrew Rose
Jan 8, 2012, 6:47:24 AM1/8/12
to
Rostropovich's first recording of his most famous concert work
Dvořák's - and Miakovsky's - Cello Concerto now in glorious 32-bit XR
remastered sound quality
PASC 321 ROSTROPOVICH Dvořák, Miakovsky Cello Concertos
Recorded 1952 & 1956
Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Andrew Rose
DVORAK Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Václav Talich conductor
MIASKOVSKY Cello Concerto, Op. 66
Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Malcolm Sargent conductor
Mtislav Rostropovich cello
Web page:
http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeWorks/Orchestral/PASC321.php
Short Notes
He was one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century and one of
the finest cellists who ever lived. Mtislav Rostropovich was without
doubt one of the most dominant solists in the second half of the
twentieth century, and here's where his astonishing fame began.
Of all the works in the concert repertoire for cello and orchestra, it
is surely Dvořák's Concerto which stands out above all others (with only
perhaps the Elgar as a close rival), and it was this work which became
Rostropovich's signature piece - to the extent that he would charge
significantly more in appearance fees if it was to be played.
This was his first recording of the work, made in 1952 with the Czech
Philharmonic under the brilliant Václav Talich by Supraphon, and now
available in a gorgeous 32-bit XR-remastering from Pristine, coupled
with an equally fine 1956 recording of the Miaskovsky. A great way to
get the new year started for all music lovers!
Notes On this recording
Rostropovich's 1952 Prague recording of the Dvořák Cello Concerto is one
the earliest of what was to become the cellist's "signature tune" - to
the extent that he demanded a significantly higher fee for playing any
concert which included the work. Previous issues of this Supraphon
recording have suffered a harshness of tone which XR remastering has
neutralised, whilst bringing out the full tone of both soloist and
orchestra. To be able to hear such a fine soloist in this work, playing
with the Czech Philharmonic whilst Talich was at his peak is a real
pleasure.
I have worked to try as much as possible to balance the tonal qualities
of the earlier recording to match the technically superior British 1956
Miaskovsky recording - a work previously unknown to me but a pleasure to
become acquainted with.
Review Dvořák Concerto (1953 UK LP issue)
This is a performance in which the soloist emphasises the lyrical side
of the work and dwells yearningly on its lovely tunes in a way that is
poignant and moving. His first entry is not at all, as in the Casals
recording, that of a hero, and that particular note is lacking
throughout. It is the orchestra, in fact, that supplies vitality all the
way through. Mr. Rostropovich commands a beautiful singing tone and I
prefer his performance to that of Zara Nelsova on Decca LXT2727, and
also Talich's view of the score to that of Kripps : but the Fournier,
Kubelik, Philharmonia, discs (H.M.V. DB6887-9 I ) and the historic
Casals recording with the Czech Philharmonic and George Szell remain
unchallenged. The recording of the orchestra is rather shallow, of the
'cello admirable, but the last movement, on my copy, had a gritty
surface. The Midday Witch, on the fourth side, is disappointing. The
eerie atmosphere Dvofak has contrived seems to be lacking and the
recording is poor, especially of the string section.
A.R. - The Gramophone, May 1953
Review Miaskovsky Concerto (exerpt)
On this record Rostropovich declares himself an outstanding 'cellist,
with a poetry of expression matching an infallible technique. He is
fortunate, too, in having the advantage of a perfectly integrated
Philharmonia accompaniment, very well recorded into the bargain.
So the Miaskovsky concerto makes an auspicious entry to the catalogues.
Miaskovsky's principal reputation is perhaps as the composer of an
apparently infinite number of symphonies (even after his death in 1950
there seemed to be some doubt about the final count); and that
reputation is better known to English audiences than his actual music.
This won great success in Russia; but the placid and unenquiring
temperament that must have allowed Miaskovsky to spend a long life
without ever passing the borders of that country has found too much
reflection in his music for the Russian success to be repeated to any
extent elsewhere.
A 'cello concerto, however, can be very many worse things than placid
and unenquiring; and this one adds to those qualities a very real beauty
and a very real appreciation of the 'cello's individual genius. Written
fifty years earlier, when the idiom would have been only slightly
old-fashioned, I do believe this concerto could have had a tremendous
European success; produced as it is, to-day, I believe it can still give
a very great deal of pleasure to listeners ready to enjoy qualities not
directly concerned with any up-to-dateness of idiom. And, as I have
suggested, it is most beautifully performed.
... I would consider long before rejecting Rostropovich's eloquent
advocacy of the Miaskovsky; music can suffer from many worse disasters
than merely an old-fashioned idiom. M.M.
M. M. - The Gramophone, February 1957
MP3 Sample DVORAK 1st movement
http://tinyurl.com/PASC321
--
Andrew Rose
Pristine Classical: "The destination for people interested in historic
recordings..." (Gramophone)
www.pristineclassical.com
Dvořák's - and Miakovsky's - Cello Concerto now in glorious 32-bit XR
remastered sound quality
PASC 321 ROSTROPOVICH Dvořák, Miakovsky Cello Concertos
Recorded 1952 & 1956
Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Andrew Rose
DVORAK Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Václav Talich conductor
MIASKOVSKY Cello Concerto, Op. 66
Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Malcolm Sargent conductor
Mtislav Rostropovich cello
Web page:
http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeWorks/Orchestral/PASC321.php
Short Notes
He was one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century and one of
the finest cellists who ever lived. Mtislav Rostropovich was without
doubt one of the most dominant solists in the second half of the
twentieth century, and here's where his astonishing fame began.
Of all the works in the concert repertoire for cello and orchestra, it
is surely Dvořák's Concerto which stands out above all others (with only
perhaps the Elgar as a close rival), and it was this work which became
Rostropovich's signature piece - to the extent that he would charge
significantly more in appearance fees if it was to be played.
This was his first recording of the work, made in 1952 with the Czech
Philharmonic under the brilliant Václav Talich by Supraphon, and now
available in a gorgeous 32-bit XR-remastering from Pristine, coupled
with an equally fine 1956 recording of the Miaskovsky. A great way to
get the new year started for all music lovers!
Notes On this recording
Rostropovich's 1952 Prague recording of the Dvořák Cello Concerto is one
the earliest of what was to become the cellist's "signature tune" - to
the extent that he demanded a significantly higher fee for playing any
concert which included the work. Previous issues of this Supraphon
recording have suffered a harshness of tone which XR remastering has
neutralised, whilst bringing out the full tone of both soloist and
orchestra. To be able to hear such a fine soloist in this work, playing
with the Czech Philharmonic whilst Talich was at his peak is a real
pleasure.
I have worked to try as much as possible to balance the tonal qualities
of the earlier recording to match the technically superior British 1956
Miaskovsky recording - a work previously unknown to me but a pleasure to
become acquainted with.
Review Dvořák Concerto (1953 UK LP issue)
This is a performance in which the soloist emphasises the lyrical side
of the work and dwells yearningly on its lovely tunes in a way that is
poignant and moving. His first entry is not at all, as in the Casals
recording, that of a hero, and that particular note is lacking
throughout. It is the orchestra, in fact, that supplies vitality all the
way through. Mr. Rostropovich commands a beautiful singing tone and I
prefer his performance to that of Zara Nelsova on Decca LXT2727, and
also Talich's view of the score to that of Kripps : but the Fournier,
Kubelik, Philharmonia, discs (H.M.V. DB6887-9 I ) and the historic
Casals recording with the Czech Philharmonic and George Szell remain
unchallenged. The recording of the orchestra is rather shallow, of the
'cello admirable, but the last movement, on my copy, had a gritty
surface. The Midday Witch, on the fourth side, is disappointing. The
eerie atmosphere Dvofak has contrived seems to be lacking and the
recording is poor, especially of the string section.
A.R. - The Gramophone, May 1953
Review Miaskovsky Concerto (exerpt)
On this record Rostropovich declares himself an outstanding 'cellist,
with a poetry of expression matching an infallible technique. He is
fortunate, too, in having the advantage of a perfectly integrated
Philharmonia accompaniment, very well recorded into the bargain.
So the Miaskovsky concerto makes an auspicious entry to the catalogues.
Miaskovsky's principal reputation is perhaps as the composer of an
apparently infinite number of symphonies (even after his death in 1950
there seemed to be some doubt about the final count); and that
reputation is better known to English audiences than his actual music.
This won great success in Russia; but the placid and unenquiring
temperament that must have allowed Miaskovsky to spend a long life
without ever passing the borders of that country has found too much
reflection in his music for the Russian success to be repeated to any
extent elsewhere.
A 'cello concerto, however, can be very many worse things than placid
and unenquiring; and this one adds to those qualities a very real beauty
and a very real appreciation of the 'cello's individual genius. Written
fifty years earlier, when the idiom would have been only slightly
old-fashioned, I do believe this concerto could have had a tremendous
European success; produced as it is, to-day, I believe it can still give
a very great deal of pleasure to listeners ready to enjoy qualities not
directly concerned with any up-to-dateness of idiom. And, as I have
suggested, it is most beautifully performed.
... I would consider long before rejecting Rostropovich's eloquent
advocacy of the Miaskovsky; music can suffer from many worse disasters
than merely an old-fashioned idiom. M.M.
M. M. - The Gramophone, February 1957
MP3 Sample DVORAK 1st movement
http://tinyurl.com/PASC321
--
Andrew Rose
Pristine Classical: "The destination for people interested in historic
recordings..." (Gramophone)
www.pristineclassical.com
Message has been deleted
Dontait...@aol.com
Jan 8, 2012, 5:50:56 PM1/8/12
to
On Jan 8, 6:15 am, themusicparlour <tin...@ymail.com> wrote:
> Waste Of Anyone's Money.
>
> Not to mention that the logical coupling for the Miaskovsky was
> Sargent/RPO Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante (both issued as stereo's
> on HMV Concert Classics - SXLP 30155 / SXLP 30266 - so the Miaskovsky
> really doesn't require your phoney-stereo make-over) ...not the
> totally commonplace Dvorak performance. And an ancient Supraphon LPM
> (assuming that's the LP used..) sounding 'glorious'..what a joke.
The coupling with the Miaskovsky on RCA Victor LM-2016 is Saint-
Saens: Concerto no. 1, Op. 33. Philharmonia/Sargent.
Don Tait
> Waste Of Anyone's Money.
>
> Not to mention that the logical coupling for the Miaskovsky was
> Sargent/RPO Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante (both issued as stereo's
> on HMV Concert Classics - SXLP 30155 / SXLP 30266 - so the Miaskovsky
> really doesn't require your phoney-stereo make-over) ...not the
> totally commonplace Dvorak performance. And an ancient Supraphon LPM
> (assuming that's the LP used..) sounding 'glorious'..what a joke.
The coupling with the Miaskovsky on RCA Victor LM-2016 is Saint-
Saens: Concerto no. 1, Op. 33. Philharmonia/Sargent.
Don Tait
Message has been deleted
Dumbarton Oaks
Feb 18, 2012, 9:49:41 AM2/18/12
to
> MP3 Sample DVORAK 1st movement
>
> http://tinyurl.com/PASC321
>
> --
> Andrew Rose
>
> Pristine Classical: "The destination for people interested in historic
> recordings..." (Gramophone)
>
> www.pristineclassical.com
Message has been deleted
Dumbarton Oaks
Feb 18, 2012, 3:30:44 PM2/18/12
to
On 18 feb, 17:03, frankwm <frankwmar...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> abducted you!!
Things are not so easy, from the first time when I heard in the free
sample the initial tutti I fall in love with this performance and
later I realize that was an extrordinary restoration, I take time,
work for my one pleasure in Mainardi/Lehmann performance, then listen
Rose/Ormandy; Rostropovich/Karajan and then come back to this
performance in the sound sample; a few days ago finally I get the
complete recording on FLAC ambient stereo and I feel very happy with
it.
> On Feb 18, 2:49 pm, Dumbarton Oaks <varelas...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Superb performance + superb restoration
>
> Those Aliens did more than just mess with your HF hearing when they
>
> > Superb performance + superb restoration
>
> abducted you!!
Things are not so easy, from the first time when I heard in the free
sample the initial tutti I fall in love with this performance and
later I realize that was an extrordinary restoration, I take time,
work for my one pleasure in Mainardi/Lehmann performance, then listen
Rose/Ormandy; Rostropovich/Karajan and then come back to this
performance in the sound sample; a few days ago finally I get the
complete recording on FLAC ambient stereo and I feel very happy with
it.
Message has been deleted
Dufus
Feb 18, 2012, 6:59:44 PM2/18/12
to
>On Jan 8, 5:47 am, Andrew Rose <and...@pristineaudio.com> wrote:
I'm amazed. I'm so old, I have the lp ( Seraphim ? ) .
Dufus
I'm amazed. I'm so old, I have the lp ( Seraphim ? ) .
Dufus
Mort
Feb 18, 2012, 8:20:55 PM2/18/12
to
For the Dvorak Cello Concerto, the most recent Supraphon CD sound is
distinctly better than this Pristine CD. Of course, for those seeking
the Miaskovsky Concerto, there is no other choice now.
Good listening,
Mort Linder
Dufus
Feb 18, 2012, 8:47:01 PM2/18/12
to
>On Feb 18, 5:59 pm, Dufus <steveha...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >On Jan 8, 5:47 am, Andrew Rose <and...@pristineaudio.com> wrote:
Actually, my Seraphim lp pairs Slava in the Miaskovsky Cello Concerto
> >On Jan 8, 5:47 am, Andrew Rose <and...@pristineaudio.com> wrote:
with Sargent and the Philharmonia , and Oistrakh in the Prokofiev 2nd
Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia under Galliera.
Dufus
wkasimer
Feb 18, 2012, 9:47:02 PM2/18/12
to
On Feb 18, 6:59 pm, Dufus <steveha...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm amazed. I'm so old, I have the lp ( Seraphim ? ) .
The Seraphim was with Boult. As I recall, the Talich appeared on the
> I'm amazed. I'm so old, I have the lp ( Seraphim ? ) .
budget Quintessence LP label.
Bill
Message has been deleted
Dumbarton Oaks
Feb 23, 2012, 10:00:14 AM2/23/12
to
> http://themusicparlour.blogspot.com
Thank you for provide a very good source for restoration, now I have
two astonishing recordings of the same work.
Best wishes
Pablo
Message has been deleted
0 new messages