Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Another legendary George Szell recording, this time partnering him with Pierre Fournier, the magnificent French cellist. At the very beginning of his career, Szell recorded this concerto in Prague with the Czech Philharmonic and none other than Pablo Casals. That recording, made around 1938, is still available. This stereo remake with the Berlin Philharmonic shows both artists at the very peak of their form. The the couplings, too, are uniquely appealing. That this compelling performance is available on DG's budget line underscores one of the great peculiarities of the classical music business. In case you haven't noticed, there is no relationship at all between quality of performance and price. So what are you waiting for? --David Hurwitz









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Disc 1:

1. 1. Allegro
2. 2. Adagio ma non troppo
3. 3. Finale. Allegro moderato

Rating: - * A wise choice after the electrifying version of Pablo Casals ... I had the chance to watch Mr. Fournier three times, during two decades. II still remember his gentle sound and pristine tune. This version of Dvorak's Cello Concerto remains as one of his most remarkable achievement, and if not for the unique and unsurpassed version of Casalñs of 1938, this would be my first choice. Highly recommended. Rating: - * For many, the definitive Dvorák Concerto ... Though the 'warhorse concerti' each have champions, there are few who would deny the elegance and passion that Pierre Fournier brought to this treasured Dvorák Cello Concerto in B minor. This recording is a true bargain at the current price and one that every lover of classical music should own. Fournier is accompanied by George Szell and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra here and the forces are formidable. The long orchestral introduction of the concerto builds climatically for the soulful entrance of the cello, and once Fournier begins to spin his magic, the ensemble and conductor meld cohesively into a performance that even on these recording standards of the time are breathtaking. As a special bonus on this 'collected album' Fournier brings the soul of the Schelomo rhapsody of Bloch (the Berlin orchestra is conducted by Alfred Wallenstein this time) and the Bruch 'Kol Nidrei' with the compassionate forces of the Lamoureux Concert Association Orchestra under the baton of Jean Martinon behind him. These additional works provide a fine framework for the Dvorák and Fournier is in top form for each of them. There may just be another contender for the spotlight for the Dvorák concerto (another besides the luminous presence of Yo-Yo Ma) in the emergence of a fine young cellist from Germany, Johannes Moser. At a recent concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, guest conducted by Zubin Mehta, Moser proved to be not only capable of the technical demands of the work, but also an artist with a gift for elegance and surety of line and phrase that brought the audience to its feet cheering. He is a talent to watch! Grady Harp, December 07 Rating: - * best Dvorak ... I have heard perhaps 5 or 6 versions of the Dvorak cello concerto. Of the ones I have heard this is the best (close competition from Du Pre only). The other pieces are okay but the Dvorak is the reason you would purchase this. The recording quality is especially good with the solo cello while the orchestra occasionally is not as clear. Recommended. I would have given it 5 stars if I liked the other two pieces nearly as well. Rating: - * The best music ever written! ... Well, that's a large claim to make, but I'm going to be 60 in a few months and so I will state my frank opinion: the Dvorak Cello Concerto is the best piece of music ever written by mankind, and you should really listen to THIS version, with Pierre Fournier on the cello, and George Szell conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. This could hardly be called "program music." Yet it seems to address any questions which you bring to it -- questions about love, mortality, and the gods, among many others. And there are many, many moments when Dvorak is simply "out there" -- communicating with the stars. My runner-up is the Brahms Violin Concerto! :-) Rating: - * Very personal account! ... The level of concentration throughout in this set of recordings is amazing...even though some may not know it, the Lamoreux orchestra is one of the very finest and it is the oldest orchestra in Paris. All of the recordings are top notch and are played with polish. As a backgrounder, you may want to investigate the 1936 Casals/Szell coupling of the Dvorak on EMI! Wonderful in different ways!