Repertoire: The BEST and LESS BEST Dvořak Cello Concerto Recordings

Dvořak's Cello Concerto is inarguably the greatest work of its kind. It has been recorded, often multiple times, by all of the world's greatest cellists, and so it exists in countless fine--often superlative--recordings. Here are a dozen and a half versions worth considering, but even this only scratches the surface. One thing that's absolutely essential in any great performance of this epic, thoroughly symphonic work: distinctive contributions from both the soloist and the conductor, alongside engineering that takes into account the need to treat the cello and orchestra as equally important protagonists.

[@ozoz9582]

So funny, I have my own Albert Catell story also at Tower Records but if memory serves it was at the downtown Tower Annex on West 4th and Lafayette. I was perusing the opera section looking at a Die Walkure when this very elegantly dressed older gentleman commented on my selection with the fact that he had played cello or both Furtwangler and Toscanini. At first I thought that this guy was a bit odd but the more he spoke the more charming and believable he was. In fact, he told me that he had just been interviewed for a bio of Furtwangler (which naturally, upon my first opportunity I found the book, checked the index and sure enough, there he was!). I remember two quotes of his in particular - that Bernstein was “a genius, music from head to toe” and that Bruno Walter was “a pig!”. He gave me his card which said that he was with the NY Chamber Orchestra and at my first opportunity I found and purchased his recording of the Dvorak on Memoria which remains one of my most cherished possessions. I regret that I never followed up and called him - what a fine, old world gentleman! As a side note, hopefully you will one day speak of Sixten Ehrling who I also had the honor of meeting and speaking with at Tower (this time the one near Lincoln Center on Broadway and 66th) - I have a wonderful story he shared about a meeting he had a the home of Sibelius. In the meantime, thank you and I’ll keep on listening!

[@BVcello]

Pierre Fournier with Szell for me... It's been with me since my youth. It has inspired me since and continues to do so even today. To me, this is one of those recordings that simply cannot be replaced. Fournier was such a sophisticated musician (in the good sense of the word). His sound brings a shine and expression to this music that is unsurpassed (eg. listen to the 3rd movement, solo with violin)... I know I'm biased, but I don't care.

[@johnmarchington3146]

I couldn't agree with you more. It's a magnificent performance and it seems as if both soloist and conductor inspire the other and the Berlin Phil is on top form. Szell was a superb Dvorak conductor anyway as his Cleveland recordings of the symphonies will attest.

[@JamesCello]

I love P.F.’s cleanliness in that recording, the straightforwardness of his phrasing. The Berlin Phil sound SO flawless too, more than in any Dvorak CC recording I know!

[@vinylarchaeologist]

I'm so happy I discovered your channel first minute. Otherwise I would've needed months and months to catch up. You are so prolific! And I enjoy every bit of it. Thank you!

[@WilliamBlossom-xl9tg]

Loved learning about the Albert Catell CD. I had the pleasure of performing a “Trout” Quintet with him. I’m a bass player. I also saw him from time to time in a violin shop where I worked part time. He liked to pop in and regal us with stories and opinions on the state of music while trying out cellos. Truly the last grand old man. Thank you!

[@pedromoyaguzman7517]

I looked so much forward for this

[@tgylfason]

Even so, your talks are most enjoyable and informative, many thanks.

[@mikaelbeskow9221]

Marvellous! Your video and the piece!

[@hugocalisto120]

Great video, Dave. And since you mentioned it, I think we are all eagerly awaiting your review of the Ormandy box. :)

[@chriswrenn6732]

I only found your KZbin page this month & I enjoy your talks immensely! Thank you so much! I hope you're taking good care of your voice, throat & overall health. I must admit my first experience with the Dvorak Cello Concerto is also my favorite so far--Gaspard Cassado with Jonel Perlea & the Pro Musica Orchestra Vienna. Such a warm-hearted performance! But I've been collecting other recordings, including some you recommended, like Szell/Fournier & Rostropovich's first recording with Talich & the Czech Philharmonic. Still behind on listening to those.

[@shawnhampton8503]

TOTALLY with Schiff - Previn and my favorite VPO!!! Glorious recording and performance. Phillips always seemed to capture the sonics of the VPO and the Musikverein so perfectly. This is a treasure. So glad you love it too.

[@frankgyure3154]

Szell/Fournier/BPO. There is a magisterial/aristocratic sense in this recording. It is unmatched. The desert island performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto.

[@josemanuelbreafeijoo1156]

I agree; it seems to me the most intense musical performance of this concert. Fournier's cello brings warmth and the necessary passion. Not forgetting the great Jacqueline du Pré...

[@danielenot2093]

This time Dave you managed to shock me..I would never have thought that at the end you were going to single out exactly my favorite version! It's a wonderful performance, and hardly anyone knows It, since at the time Philips distributed it so poorly (I remember finding it in some bargain bin).Great video, BTW!

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

I just sold a Dvorak Cello Concerto on ebay today -- Fournier/Szell -- which I already have in my collection. I think some of my sales have happened because of your channel, truly. So thanks. EDIT: Just got to the end and noticed you recommending the Helmerson. I FINALLY found that at a store a couple years back after searching for it forever. Cool it see it mentioned as it's relatively obscure, though I noticed it has a following out there.

[@johnwright7557]

So glad you discussed one of my very favorite works. My absolute first choice has always been Fournier/Szell ever since it was first released. At the University of Wisconsin where I was a student in the 60s, I was concert manager on our music committee. We invariably had Janos Starker come up from Chicago to perform, and no doubt he was a great cellist, but with my urging for once we selected Pierre Fournier, who was touring in the US at the time (I had recently bought the LP of his performance with Szell). We were thrilled to have him in our concert series, meet him, and have him autograph the LP sleeve (which I still have). I later got the cassette and then the CD with the couplings you mentioned. My next go-to recording is a more recent one with the wonderful German cellist Johannes Moser and the Prague Philharmonia/Jakub Hrusa on Pentatone with terrific SACD sound that is coupled with the Lalo concerto. I also really like Zuill Bailey’s that you mentioned. Zuill is practically a native here in No. VA and we have had him on our concert series in the retirement community where I live and where I am in charge of our series. One of the others which I appreciate more for the orchestra than the cellist is Angelica May’s with the Czech Phil/Neumann. I totally agree with your assessment of the Rostropovich recordings and have never really liked the Karajan-which I blamed on the conductor. My exposure to the Talich was on a very noisy LP, but I could tell it was a great performance. Best of Rostropovich’s, though is the Ozawa with Boult not too far behind. Ones to avoid in my opinion are Ma/Maazel (his later one with Masur is much better because of the orchestra/conductor), Maisky/Bernstein (horrible!), and Tomas Jamnik with the Prague Radio SO/Netopil (boring!), but it also contains the orchestral version of the first cello concerto, Silent Woods, and Rondo on a 2CD set on Supraphon. .

[@zonto22]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I have owned the Rostropovich/Karajen recording on DG for many years, but after sampling a number of other recordings recently ended up ordering three that you mentioned in your comment here (Fournier/Szell on DG coupled with Elgar's cello concerto; May/Neumann and the Czech Phil; and Moser/Hrusa with the Prague Philharmonia coupled with the Lalo concerto). I haven't directly compared to Szell/Fournier, but I am simply in awe of the Moser/Hrusa recording on Pentatone. I feel like the soloist and conductor truly collaborated on what their vision of the concerto was, and the playing really bears that out. Moser does not overpower the orchestra, and that coupled with the recording quality allowed me to hear details, instrument lines, and textures that I had not heard in other performances. Truly remarkable synergy, and I hope more people get exposure to this recording! Pentatone and Presto sell the SACD version directly, but Pentatone also has a hires FLAC download avaialble (which folks can also stream on Qobuz). Thanks again!

[@nigelsimeone9966]

Enjoyed this a lot. Very glad you mentioned Wallfisch/Mackerras and Starker/Dorati which are probably my two favourite versions, but now you've got me spending a bit of money on another one: I simply don't know Schiff/Previn, but I heard him play it live (with Mackerras) at a Prom in the 70s and was duly blown away. So I'm really looking forward to hearing that when it arrives. Thanks for a great review.

[@zoe20641]

I just discovered your channel today. I find your analysis very educational. Thanks.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Welcome! Have fun!

[@jameslee2943]

I bought the Helmerson CD: wow! Thanks so much for this and your other videos. So many interesting paths to explore :-)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Glad you like them!

[@AlexMadorsky]

Dvorak may have not invented the cello concerto, but he reinvented it with such bold brilliance that the medium became a rite of passage for nearly every 20th-century composer. Rostropovich is the king of the Dvorak, and I think the recording with Ozawa and Boston is the best. It’s a living, breathing creature that makes you feel like you were right there during recording. I’m a sucker for a good Telarc recording so I’ll have to check out the Indianapolis Symphony version. A modern recording I also like rather a lot is I. Fischer/Budapest Festival Orchestra/Wispelway (live on SACD/Channel Classics). The Sonics are amazing in addition to the performances. Mazel tov on acquiring over 7,000 subscribers, Dave! Very well-deserved and hopefully you’ll hit 10,000 people who keep on listening!

[@philipkass3539]

And here I thought you were going to save the Ma/Masur recording for last :-). It's so introspective and soulful that it makes for a great "headphone" listening experience - the quiet solo passages are just so sublime. Plus I could swear I heard part of the coda of the Dvorak (the dramatic crescendo at the end) in the welcome accompanying Herbert cello concerto #2. Another beautiful performance that was commended to me by Sanders Chase at LA's The Record Collector is Ludwig Hoelscher and Joseph Keilberth on Telefunken stereo - beautiful and forceful cello playing that reminded me of the old Feuermann recordings but with much better sound. Nevertheless, I thank you for your recommendations - I already had the Helmerson/Jarvi recording on Bis, so I just ordered the Schiff/Previn recording just for the fun of comparison.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

When you said "his Gucci cello and his Yves St Laurent cello" I choked on my coffee. You almost killed me, dude. lol.

[@GL-hk3xb]

Dear David, Thanks to introduce the underrated cellist Albert Catelll who was studied wth Julius Klengel and worked with Feuermann and Furtwängler. He also join the orchestra organized by Huberman for Palestine. The same orchestra with other musicians (e.g. Galimir Quartet - the best recording of Smetana/Ravel quartet that you mentioned in the latest video). Lucky that I was able to get a copy of his recording from Amazon after watching your channel. It was a Grand performance, relaxed and secure. Different from how cellist perform the piece nowadays. The recording was made in 1972 at Warsaw (Albert was 62 years old). I have found another recording of Albert Catell in CD format: Andreas Trio - The Unforgettable recording of small pieces with Eugene Drucker, the 1st violinist of Emerson Quartet and Milton Kaye. So much interesting stuffs that you have shared with us. I will keep on listening and follow your channel.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you. Albert was a lovely person and a splendid musician. I'm happy to be able to speak about him again after all these years.

[@alanmcginn4796]

Dave. Amazing that you talk about that Tower Records at Lincoln Center. Fun fact. My first exposure to you was those 10/10 Classics Today Sheets at the checkout counter. You remember those!! Oh wow. We are going back a long time! That Tower Records was amazing. When I lived on the UWS I used to spend hours in the classical section. Incredible talk by the way. And a gorgeous piece of music. I dont have the Schiff / Previn and I am going to download now.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Oh yes, I remember those well! That was back in the days when the labels actually had money to stand behind their product. Ah, the memories...

[@alanmcginn4796]

@@DavesClassicalGuide well those sheets DID as the digitial version of Classics Today DOES now influence my collection. Thank you again for all that you do.

[@dmntuba]

I've always felt the Dvorak is not only the greatest cello concerto, but overall the most perfect of all concertos.

[@uzefulvideos3440]

I think the Sibelius violin concerto is overall the better concerto.

[@terifischer6488]

Rach 2, Elgar E minor, and Rautavaara 3 are much better than those IMO (though I like those too)

[@Foisterous]

For a long time, I've just had the Starker/Dorati/London recording. It's good, I like Dorati's extroverted, rosin-y approach for Dvorak, but it just seems to me like Starker is not entirely on the same page with him and his cello sound is a bit thin. My son is learning cello, loves this concerto, and is always asking for me to play it lately. So I thought maybe I could get something I like even better. So of course I came to Dave Hurwitz, and thanks to you Dave, I found it! Holy cow that Fournier/Szell/ Berlin recording is utterly magical! Perfectly balanced! Exciting! Incisive yet never harsh! And the quality of the sound is excellent, especially for that era. I'm hearing details I've never even noticed before. SO MUCH better than the sound on Szell's CBS recordings in Cleveland. Why couldn't he have recorded for DG more often? Ah well. Anyway, I dipped my toe in some of your other recs, they are all good, you have great taste as always, but the Szell/Fournier really stood out. Thanks again!

[@jasonklein8102]

Having gotten the Rostropovich/Talich 1952 LP for something like 50 cents, I took it to his St. Louis Symphony performance in '66 to have him autograph it. He wrote, in his incomparable English, "1950!! Very old--end bed!" So it stands to reason he later preferred the less "bed" Ozawa recording. I still own and treasure that LP, even if the performance is grainy and lacking in tonal sheen.

[@ctfamily40]

One need only take a look at the complete instrumentation- three horns rather than the typical four- to understand how personally and specifically Dvorak considered the colors (and indeed everything else) in this work. Nothing is superfluous in this piece- he knew exactly what he wanted to say, and said it, gloriously.

[@angusmcmillan8981]

Another great video, thanks. In an idle moment I looked up what happened to the Stradivarius cello it was first played on by English cellist Leo Stern in 1896. It

[@angusmcmillan8981]

... was bought by the LA Philharmonic whose principal cellist Peter Stumpf left it unattended one night in his porch. A casual thief stole it but on finding a boring bit of wood in the case left it in a dumpster and went away. A nurse saw it and thought it would make a good container for her CDs (a smaller collection than Dave’s) and on getting it home asked her boyfriend to cut into the front of the cello. Luckily he heard a frantic message on the radio so abandoned his carpentry and returned the instrument via a luthier who did some minimal repairs.

[@igorgregoryvedeltomaszewsk1148]

Glad that you give Frans Helmerson honourable mentioning Mr. Hurwitz! His televised performance of Elgars Cello concerto on Swedish Television was my introduction to the piece (in 1979?) and it was absolutely stunning! I am curious if you among the relative newcomers had the chance to listen to Daniel Muller-Schott playing all of Dvořák´s Cello Works (except the later orchestrated one but including pieces for cello and piano) with the NDR SO conducted by Michael Sanderling, on the Orfeo label? PS: Pitigorski & Munch remains a personal favorite of mine, but now I will look out for the Schiff and Helmerson ones.

[@Wolfcrag85]

You mentioned my favourite version very briefly: Rostropovich/Boult. Full of freshness and energy. I'm also very fond of Tortelier/Previn.

[@normstrong1]

Dvořak's Cello Concerto is arguably a candidate for the greatest work of Any kind. There is something about the way the soloist and orchestra merge into one. It's hard to describe but an example is in the finale when the solo violin comes in, it's as if the cello has metamorphosed into a higher voice, and for a moment you don't realise its a different instrument. Mind you, I think Elgar's is also right up there with the greatest. -

[@eddihaskell]

My vote is any post war recording from Bayreuth of Parsifal. I can listen to all four hours of this work mesmerized.

[@ammcello]

Thanks for doing this chat. Also needs to be said that you need excellent, soloistic and alert woodwind playing in this piece. For me, best is Rostropovich/Ozawa bar none. Frans Helmerson BRAVO for mentioning. Mine is coupled with with Dvorak 7 - this album is highly respected amongst cellists Needs mention: - Johannes Moser on Pentatone with Lalo -Christian Poltera - good coupling with the Martinu 1. Elegant and amazing sound -Milos Sadlo on Suprahon with a reconstruction of the first concerto -Miklos Perenyi on LASERLIGHT with the Hindemith 1940!!! I can’t stand Wallfisch at all so I’ve never wasted my time with his Dvorak. There are several good Dohnanyi Konzertstucks out there. It’s a wonderful piece.

[@kylejohnson8877]

Great talk on not only the “king” of cello concerti, but one of the greatest concerti composed by anyone for any instrument, imo! I’m unfamiliar with your two top choices for recordings (Schiff and Helmerson), so I’ll have to check them out! Also, as a cellist myself I’m greatly looking forward to your (supposed) upcoming video on 20th century cello concerti. There’s so many wonderful ones that are mostly still terribly neglected today - Finzi, Weinberg, Atterberg, Honegger, Moeran, Bridge, both of Kabalevsky’s and Martinu’s...I could go on. Fortunately, it seems like the Walton, Barber, and Shostakovich’s 2nd are becoming more frequently played these days. P.S. I share your indifferent attitude towards the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations and the Elgar Concerto. I’ve never quite understood these works’ wild popularity and think there are numerous works in the cello repertoire that outclass them!

[@terifischer6488]

Well, personally, I think that the Elgar Cello Concerto outclassed the Dvorack concerto quite considerably

[@stradivariouspaul1232]

Great review of my favourite piece of music. My favourite versions are Fournier/Szell, Wallfisch/Mackeras and what I think is a very fine version, Webber/Neumann with Czech Philharmonic, a little idiosyncratic but wonderful playing and marvelous sound capturing the woodwind perfectly. I like Rostropovich/Karajan but doesn't sound as natural and organic to me as sone versions. Also agree about the Weilerstein version, I bought it as I wanted a version where I could play in the car and hear the cello all the way through without continually adjusting the sound, but the balance is just so skewed as to make it an awful experience. I like the Queyras version and love the imaginative coupling with the Dumky, I'm tempted to try the follow up Faust violin and op.65 trio. Thanks for the suggestions , may try the Rost/Ozawa and Starker/Dorati

[@billslocum9819]

I just listened to the Webber/Neumann and agree the orchestra really is terrific. Webber was noticeably quieter than other soloists, so it may be a pick for an ensemble fan. It stood up for me.

[@ftumschk]

12:20 That Chuchro is fantastic! I hadn't heard of him before, but he gives an expressive, dynamic performance, and Neumann and the CPO are great, too. My recording has a different coupling - Martinů's 1st Cello Concerto - but this was worth getting for the Dvořák alone. Thank you for the recommendation.

[@dennisbade3874]

Chuchro was for many years the cellist of the legendary Suk Trio.

[@luukmarcus]

I've read somewhere a interview with Rostropovitch in which he said what HIS favorite recording was: with Ozawa. So you're not alone in this ;-)

[@indranilpoddar7195]

Hi Dave thank you as always, though I have to confess I have only heard the Schiff version on a streaming platform and very good it is too. Now there is a big box on the NEOS label devoted to Schiff as conductor and cellist. Are you familiar with this 17 CD box and is worth buying for Schiff as conductor - it does have the cello concerto with Previn in Vienna...so whether Bruckner 4 and Tchaikovsky 6 a la Schiff is it worth it?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I may cover it here. Stay tuned...

[@mikaelbeskow9221]

I like Kliegel and Halasz. Especially for the Finale!

[@greatmomentsofopera7170]

Schumann! Was the Great romantic concerto before Dvorak. But Dvorak is the King.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Schumann is a snooze.

[@murraylow4523]

Yes, the Schumann violin and cello concertos are wildly underrated still. No detraction from the Dvorak obvs.

[@qualtier]

There is fairly recently re-discovered amazing cello concerto, pre-dating Dvorak's by cca 100 years, written by J.J.Ryba (1765-1815), another Czech composer of very humble origin; really astonishing piece for it's time. As far as I know there is only one recording available, very recent, by Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra, released by Czech Radio (Cesky Rozhlas) together with Violin concertos. I was really surprised how mature, complex and advanced for it's time this piece is.

[@kanpette]

Nice to see Truls Mørk on your list. Granted, I am somewhat biased in his case but I think he’s a wonderful musician as well as a wonderful and down to earth person. Interestingly, Frans Helmerson was Truls’ teacher.

[@MDK2_Radio]

I was privileged to see him perform Shostakovich 1 with the Seattle Symphony about 20 years ago. I hadn’t heard of him before then, but certainly knew him after that!

[@freidnavolge]

Спасибо за расширение кругозора! Пока в моей коллекции старая концертная запись с кашлем времён СССР, но мне очень нравится игра Мстислава Ростроповича, я чувствую его магию

[@classicalduck]

Back in 1990, my then-girlfriend and I planned a trip to Scotland, England, and France, passing through Belgium to Den Haag in the Netherlands, for the World Science Fiction Convention. When I was discussing the itinerary with my travel agent ("d'ye remember travel agents?"), he mentioned that we were scheduled to arrive in Edinburgh the day before the beginning of the Festival. (The original one, not the Fringe, which seems to have taken over.) I knew the Festival always had a gala opening-night concert, and I asked him to get us tickets. "I don't care what it is, I just want to be there." Tiresome backstory: Over the years, I had never had the opportunity to see Mstislav Rostropovich play the cello. When I lived in Los Angeles, he played at the Music Center and I was unable to get there. I moved to San Francisco for college and transportation to the War Memorial Opera House was easy -- but Slava would only do the occasional pension fund concert for Big Bux, which I just couldn't afford. (Then he'd fly down to Los Angeles and do a week of concerts.) And when I went to grad school in Minnesota, which he regarded as Flyoverland. So I never got to hear him play the cello. (I did see him conduct "Pikovaya Dama" in San Francisco, however.) So imagine my delight when I found that the opening concert of the Edinburgh Festival featured Slava playing the Dvořák, with Seiji Ozawa conducting an orchestra I had never heard of before. (Saito Kinen, now very much a known quantity.) We had a variety of mishaps upon arriving in Scotland, but these did not keep us from that first night, so I finally heard him play, and in the work I most wanted to hear him play, at that. Then came the interval, and I told the girlfriend, "Oh, Brahms FIrst, ho-hum." But it was the best Brahms First I had ever heard, or so it seemed at the time. Philips recorded the Saito Kinen doing a Brahms cycle during that touring year, issuing the CDs one by one. Polygram (or was it Universal by then?) played their little tricks by issuing the disk with Brahms FIrst in Europe and then waiting A FULL YEAR before the US issue, darn them. Oh, and if I were to pick a historical (something you rarely do, I know) it would be Emanuel Feuermann with Hans Lange conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a benefit set sold by the CSO itself.

[@EdLuhrs]

I just listened to Fournier/Szell... great! I also want to mention Jacqueline du Pré/Barenboim with the Chicago Symphony - love that recording. I'll listen to Helmerson next.

[@ol25n]

I've listened to maybe 15 different performances of this work in the last week; it's quickly become one of my favorite works ever. I think I like Helmerson/Jarvi the best personally, but I agree that all the ones you've discussed are excellent. I particularly ended up liking a reading of it on Hungaraton, by Miklos Perenyi accompanied by Ivan Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Perenyi does everything right, and the orchestral accompaniment is definitely one of the best I've ever heard (although it's not beating Jarvi's!). I don't think anyone else in the comments has mentioned that one; it's worth a listen for anyone fond of Fischer in Budapest or as an introduction to Perenyi's wonderful cello playing for that label.

[@kingfaicl]

In that problematic solo passage leading up to the first movement recapitulation, where every cellist finds it necessary to make alterations, Perényi sticks to the score and plays it as written. And it works beautifully!

[@johnmarchington3146]

I have a number of recordings of the concerto: Starker/Dorati, Piatigorsky/Munch, Fournier Szell (my favourite - simply stunning) and Pieter Wispelwey but not the recording you mentioned. My one is with the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Ivan Fischer, also on Channel Classics. I wonder which one came first? This one is excellent.

[@wkasimer]

I have a fond memory of Rostropovich, Ozawa, and the BSO in these works, a performance right around the time of the recording. And standing outside Symphony Hall, I was nearly trampled by Rostropovich striding briskly into the hall. So needless to say, it’s also my favorite of the many Rostropovich recordings. Another “sleeper” is Angelica May with Neumann and the Czech PO. BTW, BIS also issued Helmerson’s with the 7th symphony, conducted by Chung.

[@marknewkirk4322]

I really love the Fournier Szell recording. Rostropovich I prefer in other things, but to be fair, I'll have to give the Ozawa version a shot. I heard Starker play it live years ago in Cincinnati - the concert hall there is just enormous, and it's not always kind to soloists. Starker did not try to play overly loud. He just played the way he plays - nervous energy, like David says. It was a very expressive, memorable performance.

[@marcelobriones6551]

The Rose/Ormandy/Philadelphia is stunning, very gutsy. I just heard back-to-back in comparison with the Schiff/Previn/Vienna which is softer in my opinion.

[@MDK2_Radio]

It’s my go-to for Dvorak. I love the Stern violin concerto on the same disc.

[@robertjones447]

I listen to the Rose/Ormandy Dvorak back to back with their recording of Bloch's Schelomo - they are truly on fire!

[@jorge5150]

Dave, what's your opinion of the Steven Isserlis recording on Hyperion? I think it's not reviewed on Classicstoday.

[@joshgrumiaux6820]

I'm not Dave, but imo Isserlis is simply unmatched. His musicianship transcends the cello, and his recording of the Dvorak is gorgeous (like all his recordings). The orchestra is a chamber orchestra, so you don't get as beefy a sound as with ensembles like the Philly or Berlin orchestras...but the playing thoughtful, passionate, and totally faithful to the score (unlike several older recordings...). You hear things in the score that you don't with any other recording. He even makes a good case for the "other"Dvorak cello concerto that no one plays.

[@christopherwb1]

One of my favorite records of all time is the late Casals recording with The Festival Casals Orchestra of Puerto Rico under Alexander Schneider. I owned the Everest recording in the mid 1960s, lost it in the 70s, then found a copy online just a few years ago. I listened to it with some trepidation, expecting to be disappointed. But Casals' performance once again broke my heart, especially the conclusion of the solo in the fourth movement: it is still one of the most unforgettably moving of anything I know. The intonation is wayward, the technique wobbly, the old man's age altogether apparent, but there is a feeling, for me, of absolute emotional integrity, and of profound humanity.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

There is no fourth movement. I think you meant the third.

[@martinfrank9351]

I grew up with the recording with Maurice Gendron and Haitink with the London Philharmonic on an old Philips Concert Classics CD. First is best, sometimes. I also have the Chuchro and Neumann recording, on an old Supraphon cassette. Great reviews, as usual!

[@artistinbeziers7916]

I have that Maurice Gendron CD. It is really very good, indeed. I also have Gendron's recording of Bach's solo cello suites.

[@richardsandmeyer4431]

The Gendron/Haitink recording was the first I owned of the work back in the LP era. Haven't listened to it in a long time as I have many other versions on CD now (I seldom play LPs anymore even though I do still have working turntable), but I do remember enjoying Gendron back in the day. Perhaps I should give it a spin to see whether I still like it.

[@antwerpsmerle1404]

@@richardsandmeyer4431 I too had, and enjoyed, the Gendron version on LP, and also enjoyed hearing him play live. It’s sad that he was later revealed to have been abusive towards some of his young pupils.

[@sivakumarvakkalanka4938]

Your enthusiasm for a piece ( a symphony with cello obligato, as someone said ) you must have heard a zillion times is infectious. Any thoughts on Mischa Maisky's recordings of this concerto? He made 2 i think. The first with Bernstein ( coupled with the Schumann cello concerto) and the second with Mehta and the Berlin Phil ( coupled with Don Quixote). I have the Rostropovich/Karajan and the one by Casals and I think the Maisky/Mehta recording holds its own with these two.

[@brianliu522]

My new favourite recording is Steven Isserlis, with Daniel Harding conducting Mahler Chamber Orchestra (Hyperion label). To me, this is a gold standard interpretation that is worth your attention even if you already have another recording you like. The sound is superb too.

[@ugolomb]

It is also coupled with a completion (or rather an orchestrated redaction) of Dvorak's earlier cello concerto, which the composer lent to the cellist who commissioned it and never got it back, so he didn't get around to editing and orchestrating it; the MS was only re-discovered after Dovrak's death. That work received two performing versions: one which preserved its entire length (comparable to Dvorak's earlier symphonies), and another, by composer Gunther Raphael, which made it more compact and concise. That's the one Isserlis opted to record, and in that version, it's a charming work. I can't comment on the full-length version, which I have yet to hear (Isserlis apparently found it sprawling and over-extended, but I'm sure others will disagree)

[@zenonorth1193]

Speaking of wastelands, I hope eventually there's a video on bassoon concertos coming. I'm appalled that no big-name composer in the 2nd half of the 19th century wrote anything major for the bassoon or even including the bassoon (except of course, as an orchestral instrument). Really surprising when you consider how many good composers like Devienne and Reicha had already used it very effectively.

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

Tortelier/Previn is full of passion, tension, with a wonderful interplay between conductor and soloist that I think deserved to be added into this chart.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Well, you just added it. I think 18 versions is more than enough, but one more never hurts!

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

@@DavesClassicalGuide we can only add some comments. You are the Master! I forgot to ask you about Du Pre/Barenboim: she was an hurricane of music power!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@michelangelomulieri5134 But her Dvorak was never one of the better ones.

[@stradivariouspaul1232]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I agree, the real problem though is relatively poor recording quality; the horns are barely audible in the fanfare at the end of the first movement

[@andrewbryant3286]

Can you explain what you don’t like about Rostropovich’s recording with Giulini? That is usually my go-to recording for this piece but I’m wondering what your thoughts are on it.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I think the best answer is not talking but listening. Compare it to his performance with Ozawa, or even Karajan, or Talich, and consider the other comments here as well.

[@frankgyure3154]

Compare it to Szell/Fournier

[@smoerup7955]

Thanks for another tour of great recordings. Makes me think Decca should put a Schiff box (and a von Dohnanyi box now I’m at it). Couldn’t you encourage them?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

For all the good it would do...

[@adrianoseresi3525]

But what do you think of the recent one with Soltani and Barenboim??

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

See my review on ClassicsToday.com.

[@frankgyure3154]

This was quite a discussion

[@MarauderOSU]

Dave, I got the Rostropovich/Karajan recording first, but, after reading your reviews on Amazon, I traded it for the Rostropovich/Ozawa recording! I have since gotten the Starker/Dorati recording on vinyl record as well. Of course, it helps that I share a birthday with Janos Starker!

[@frankgyure3154]

If you have a chance,get the Szell/Fournier collaboration

[@marccikes3429]

Hello David. Did you consider Zara Nelsova ? Starker recorded it a first time with Susskind for EMI. While the sound quality isn’t on par with Mercury, is playing and Susskind’s conducting are superb throughout.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I consider everything.

[@chlee3831]

David. Which Josef Chuchro version are you referring to as he recorded it twice. There is one with Waldhans and another later one with Neumann.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Take your pick, but I was speaking of Neumann

[@chlee3831]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Ok. I managed to find a copy of Chuchro/Neumann. Thanks Dave.

[@prospervic]

Dave, The Suk Violin Concerto? I got really excited when you said this, but I can’t find it anywhere! Did you mean to say the Fantasia in G minor?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No, Suk playing the Dvorak Concerto!

[@robertyanal3818]

Would you please do a Dvorak: Essential Works for Beginners video.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Already done. I just have to schedule it.

[@andrewkemp7578]

One unmentioned recording that is well worth hearing is the Lynn Harrell/James Levine performance on RCA. It was issued on CD years ago, but I have a feeling it may no longer be easily available - I still have the LP I bought when it first came out on special offer in 1976! It is surely due for a reissue. Very exciting (Levine still in his dynamic youthful phase), but also very moving in the slow movement which is played a bit slower than usual with an unusually elegaic character. And you can certainly hear the timpani at the end of the finale.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I agree, but as you say, hard to find...

[@presterjohn7789]

I have just for the first time tried comparing the Dvorak cello concerto recordings. I went through Fournier, Leonard Rose and Du Pre. Versions I had in my library. I only listened to 3rd movements. I also recently bought the Dvorak: The Slavonic Soul collection and read it was the Rostropovich/Giulini version. I was blown away by that version. Went online to see how you reviewed it and you considered it disastrous. It is clear your distaste for it in this video when you momentarily brought it up. All I could think of it must be relative. Either Rostropovich is just so far beyond the others than even his worst version can sound amazing, people have expectations for works sounding a certain way (to me it sounds more homely, subtle and singy like a folk song and the slowness is most welcome), there is something about singling out and hearing the last movement or I just have vastly different tastes. I suspect it is the first. I have since heard the same movement for the the Karajan version and I think that is top on my list as well. Will check out your other Rostropovich recommendations.

[@RabidCh]

I still remember your video about pronouncing Queyras. Nice tip toe around that.

[@RudieVissenberg]

I like a lot of the recordings David mentioned but my favorite is Fischer with Wispelwey, a very rythmical performance and beautifully recorded. I was a bit surprised David does not mention the Maazel - Ma recording at all. It was quite popular when it came out.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I find Ma rather bland in all of his recordings, though none are bad.

[@djquinn4212]

I prefer the live one he made in NY w/ Masur and instead of the usual dvorak tone poems, it has an absolutely top notch pairing with the Victor Herbert 2nd Concerto.

[@frankgyure3154]

ClassicsToday gave it a 9/9. Although it pales in comparison to Szell/Fournier.

[@camilmoujaber4813]

Hi Dave, seen this one? Sultani on cello with Barenboim conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin. New to me, I listened to it on KZbin and thought the performance was quite good, although Barenboim tends to be a little slugish (if that's the right word) in his conducting. Your opinion please?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

www.classicstoday.com/review/soltani-plays-some-terrific-dvorak/?search=1

[@camilmoujaber4813]

Thanks for the link! Have you done a video on the best Dvořák 'Legends' recordings?

[@bernardley4540]

Just downloaded the Schiff/Previn version for less than $5. Sensational performance and recording! Does anyone know the performance Rostroprovich recorded in 1968 on the day the Russian tanks rolled into Prague? I am sure that one must have a special atmosphere!

[@thezealouscellist1966]

I had my cello teacher record a bunch of music from her record collection on a couple of cassettes when I was in high school and she included this performance. I just fell in love with it and listened to it for years before I knew where it came from. I was actually disappointed when I heard Slava's studio recordings of it because they just didn't have the intensity of this performance!

[@andreasreiner8889]

Schiff - unique and awesome musician.

[@karlevans8200]

I understand what you mean about the Rostropovich / Karajan recording. Sometimes, when there is a great weight of expectation, you can feel a tinge of disappointment in the overall performance, and I think this is why it's not my favourite recording. However, what a revelation the Schiff/ Previn recording is. I never expected it to be so good, it manages to both sound polished and spontaneous at the same time, which is quite an achievement. Incidentally, is it my imagination, or do I hear Wagner in the slow movement - I swear it sounds at times like something from Lohengrin.

[@martinrichard237]

And Jacqueline du Pré. So glad that you talked about Albert Catell.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Her Dvorak is nothing special.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@gregoryronnback2756 Yes, that's what I said, and it's true. Not everything she did was fabulous. In fact, a lot of it was not.

[@26Toshiro]

@@DavesClassicalGuidedid you not like her playing in general, or specifically her Dvorak?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@26Toshiro Her Dvorak. I have nothing against her playing. It's just not one of the better versions.

[@Zaiko4]

I totally agree with you : Fournier / Szell

[@zeram01]

Why is the a big red “WARNING” on the Bis cd cover?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It was a gimmick to advertise their wide dynamic range.

[@tb4302]

Many nice recordings. "Fournier/Szell" is beautiful but I would like to add "Fournier/Scherchen" that I appreciate a lot.

[@SuperBondfan007]

I'd like to ask, are there any nice performances featuring Yo-Yo Ma?

[@AlexMadorsky]

There's at least a couple of Yo-Yo Ma recordings that are excellent, including Masur with the New York Phil.

[@Don-md6wn]

@@AlexMadorsky I agree that's a good recording, and it's available in at least a couple of versions with different couplings. I think it was originally coupled with a Herbert cello concerto, and it was later used again on something called the Dvorak Album that is coupled with Silent Woods plus a Slavonic dance and Humoresque cello, violin and orchestra with Perlman as the violinist.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

They are all nice, but in my view not as interesting as the others mentioned.

[@wkasimer]

The Masur isn’t bad, but the one with Maazel is absolutely dreadful.

[@artistinbeziers7916]

If you go for a Yo-Yo ma, Dvorak cello concerto, go for the one with Masur. It's very good, and the coupling is fabulous. Herbert's cello concerto 2.

[@steveschwartz8944]

Agree with you totally about Szell and the Czechs. I could barely believe it was Szell.

[@silviofernandez585]

I just could not be without this recording. Also the Rostropovich/Talich account. This work has been recorded very well throughout time indeed.

[@mrktdd]

Very interesting talk. After hearing it I bought two recordings, Catell and Rostropovuch/Ozawa. I'd so often read that the Ozawa performance was inferior to others so I'd never heard it. DH gave a contrary view and having heard it I concur - Rostropovich back in the unexaggerated form of his earlier pre-Karajan recorfings. And Catell an old-fasioned performance as DH said - reminded me of Hoelscher. My top.performances of those I know Fournier/Szell, Wallfisch/Mackerras and Chuchro/Waldhans - DH liked these but chose the later Chuchro. But the early Chuchro has a very clumsy horn solo unfortuantely - same player I guess only a little better on the Thauer version recorded about the same time - but rest of the orchestra superb in both.

[@tioluiche]

One question, what about Jacqueline Du Pre with Chicago and Barenboim?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

If it had any particular merit I would have said so.

[@chrisperyagh]

I bought the Piatigorsky/Munch/BSO recording on the strength of the principal clarinettist's sound when I heard the 2nd movement the one and only time it was played on Classic FM - don't judge me! After that I did some asking around and found out the clarinettist's name - Gino Cioffi, who played Selmer clarinets as did the BSO clarinet section including Rosario Mazzeo who had direct links with Selmer. Then I later discovered Vic Firth (timps) and Vincent Bach (trumpet) also played in the BSO.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Why would I judge you? You were listening, and you liked what you heard. That's what matters.

[@chrisperyagh]

Classic FM is a commercial Classical station in the UK that tends to play popular classics on a limited playlist rotation. It's usually just on in the background while I'm working or driving. It just happened to be one Sunday afternoon when this recording was played that went above and beyond what they normally do - I think the programme was called 'If you like that, you'll like this' which was presented by a former disgraced member of parliament (which is the norm nowadays) that at least went away from the comfort zone of their typical playlist.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@chrisperyagh I know what it is. No need to explain.

[@rosenobleellis]

I just watched the Jacqueline du Pré BBC video from 1968, conducted by her husband Barenboim, shortly after the Russian invasion of Czechoslavakia. The sound quality is poor, but to watch her play is a feast. The string breaking at the beginning of the finale added an extra theatrical element! I’m not equipped to judge where she falls among the greats. Her tragic early death from MS has made her such a legend it is not easy to be objective. But no survey of this work should pass without a mention of this historical performance.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

What you have described is not a musical experience at all. "Historical" it may be. Musically it is simply irrelevant. See how easy being objective was?

[@rosenobleellis]

@@DavesClassicalGuide 🤣👍

[@andreashelling3076]

Do u like the Schumann concerto?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Not especially.

[@classicalalways]

Rodrigo's Concierto De Aranjuez has been recorded it seems also by any guitarist of major importance (certainly it is performed publicly by all major concert guitarists) - maybe it is the closest concerto to the Dvorak in terms of a work that monopolizes the attention of both performers and listeners attention. Since this is your view of what you think is best and less best - you are entertaining as always, informative as well.... but I do not think I saw Feuermann and I think there are a couple cellists I could not put alongside Rostropovich or Fournier. It will be interesting what you say is the "reference" recording.

[@colinwrubleski7627]

No Yo-yo! How fascinating...~

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Nope.

[@tomross5347]

The one time I heard a live performance of the concerto, it was a maddening experience: often the solo part could not be heard at all over the accompaniment. I would have blamed the conductor, but Dvorak's accompaniment is so heavy (including trumpets, horns, trombones, and TUBA!) that I wonder if this happens every time, and people have just learned to live with it (the way they live with Mahler's impractical vocal balances in Das Lied). Is this one of those pieces that only works in the recording studio, or did I just attend a lousy performance?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You attended a lousy performance. The accompaniments never overwhelm the solo in my pretty extensive experience. Dvorak was very, very careful about it.

[@tomross5347]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I guess that makes sense -- the piece wouldn't have become popular in the first place, if it didn't sound better in concert than what I heard. If concerts start happening some day, I'll risk hearing it again!

[@jacquesracine9571]

And what about the recent Soltani/Barenboim?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

What about it? You can see my review on ClassicsToday.com, as I've already noted iin these comments.

[@stefanehrenkreutz1839]

What do you think of the 2 Raff cello concertos? They seem quite enjoyable to me and seem to have had a moment in the sun somewhere around 1870. To me, they are far superior to his 2 violin concertos.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I like them too.

[@apointofinterest8574]

How is the Elgar cello concerto (which was not mentioned) inferior to Dvorak's?

[@murraylow4523]

Elgar simply was not as great a composer as Dvorak? In my view the Dvorak concerto is much better and less syrupy overall, but the larger issue is that he was a better composer.

[@apointofinterest8574]

@@murraylow4523 Well, there's no accounting for various views. What's noteworthy is that the Elgar concerto, a cornerstone of the cello repertoire, wasn't even mentioned here.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Why should it be mentioned in a discussion of recordings of the Dvorak? That's just silly. In any case, Elgar was both an inferior composer to Dvorak and his Cello Concerto is a far less interesting work. His concerto, it's worth noting, seems to be played less and less as the quantity of really great cello concertos by other 20th century composers has increased.

[@apointofinterest8574]

@@DavesClassicalGuide You were talking about how few great cello concertos there really are, mentioning about a half-dozen of them, but not Elgar. I just read your reply. It's clear you think the Elgar concerto is not great.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@apointofinterest8574 No, you miss the point yet again, as well as the plain sense of what I said. The Elgar post-dates Dvorak by nearly three decades. I was talking about the dearth of great cello concertos written BEFORE Dvorak wrote his. Elgar was a great admirer of Dvorak. He played under him, in fact, and borrowed more than a trick or two of his scoring habits. His Cello Concerto was plainly conceived in Dvorak's shadow, both chronologically and musically.

[@chadweirick67]

I have always thought that the Elgar concerto was the greatest one ever written but I will definitely check out these recordings

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I find the Elgar to be relatively faded and uninteresting.

[@NobuhikuObayashi]

I love the Elgar too Chad

[@murraylow4523]

I would. Its maybe a bit too "easy" to say the Dvorak is better but it is, for sure.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@hectorberlioz1449 Yes, but I do think her recording with Barbirolli is a great one. I try to give credit where credit is due.

[@johnpetley-jones9563]

@@DavesClassicalGuide For this relief much thanks!

[@carlconnor5173]

David, Have you done a vid review of Brahms’ “Double” Concerto? I’ve looked and looked but haven’t found one.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Not yet.

[@frankgyure3154]

DH. A lot of comments here about Szell/Fournier/BPO.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes.

[@LittleHarryBrother1]

Why do you think the first moment of Lalo's cello concerto is horrible?

[@williamwhittle216]

Noticed you didn’t mention Ma’s recording on Sony. Not that good? How about Starker on EMI?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

How about all of the ones I didn't mention? What about them?

[@rsmickeymooproductions4877]

Great selection once again. I do not care too much for Rostopovich /Karajan. One of those overrated recordings and there are many just as good and better. I will give a mention to the new recording of Dvořák Cello Concerto with Kian Soltani (cello), Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim. Wow! what a performance and the sonics/balance are some of the best (DG) have mastered for some time.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, very beautiful. I reviewed it very positively on ClassicsToday.com.

[@Don-md6wn]

I don't know if I've had bad luck with the Rostropovich recordings I chose or if his playing just doesn't suit me, but I started out with his recordings of the Dvorak cello concerto, the Bach suites, the Beethoven music for cello and piano with Richter and the Schubert Quintet with the Emersons. I got the sense the music was better than the performances and got alternative recordings (Fournier/Szell, Fournier, Perenyi/Andras Schiff and Heinrich Schiff/Alban Berg) that I thought blew away the Rostropovich recordings in every case. I've kind of avoided Rostropovich cello recordings since.

[@frankbaum5236]

@@Don-md6wn I'm also not a big Rostropovich guy but I like his Emerson recording of the Schubert Quintet. He also had a very good recording of Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata with Benjamin Britten(!) playing the piano part.

[@stradivariouspaul1232]

@@frankbaum5236 I agree about the Britten recording, wonderful music wonderfully played!

[@bradwilkins9347]

I also really enjoyed Natalia Gutman with Sawallisch and the Philadelphia Orchestra. It came with a good performance of Dvorak’s Symphonic Variations as well.

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

Fully agree with you!

[@anderswikstrom8384]

I have heard Gutman live in this Concerto in Gothenburg in the 1980s. It is easiest the best performance I ve heard live of the Dvorak. Although I ve heard just a 6 or 7.

[@donaldjones5386]

I think Fournier also had a coupling with the Elgar,

[@adamfrye246]

Poor Heinrich Schiff died sadly at age 65 after straining his bowing arm through over-exertion which lead to a pinched nerve in his neck which in turn led to a medical event similar to a stroke. I was shocked because he was an artist I looked up to back in my teenage years because of his first recording of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. Would you say, Mr. Hurwitz, that he "played himself to death"? His playing lives on through his recordings, too bad it can't bring him back. I turn 60 on May 6 and because of following this artist I feel there could be things worse than being like him at least in the number of my days...

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have no opinion on his cause of death, but he was a terrific guy to talk to.

[@adamfrye246]

Colin Davis was powerful in the first version while I thought Previn was a little forced.

[@MrDrey787]

Why no Jacqueline du Pre with Barenboim? There's even amazing video of the performance in Albert Theater. She's unmatched imo

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Because it's not very good.

[@MrDrey787]

@@DavesClassicalGuide genuinely curious as a neophyte. Is it the bad audio quality (scratchy and all around terrible), or performance and conducting?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@MrDrey787 It's just not as good as the best versions available, in my opinion, but you need to listen and compare and develop your own taste. It's not bad, but there are better ones out there.

[@samikd1]

I am no expert on classical music and you certainly are, but it is unthinkable to me that the Jacqueline duPre- Daniel Barenboim performance was not even mentioned 😞 I am sad

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's not one of the best, never has been, and has never been that highly regarded. Sorry.