Favorite Cello Concerto

[B_cereus]

poll typo error... it is of course the Haydn C major, not minor.

Anyway... Dvorak.

[Wanderer]

Korngold cello concerto

Another enthusiastic vote from me for this enthralling piece.

And I just found out that my favourite performance of it (with Quirine Viersen) has been uploaded to youtube, so here it is for those who are unfamiliar with the music or the performance.

Part 1

Part 2

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Another enthusiastic vote from me for this enthralling piece.

And I just found out that my favourite performance of it (with Quirine Viersen) has been uploaded to youtube, so here it is for those who are unfamiliar with the music or the performance.

Part 1

Part 2

I didn't vote for it, but not because I don't love it... And thanks for the YouTube links - a fiery performance!

[The new erato]

Anybody heard the sallinen cello concerto? Remember hearing it (with Arto Noras) in the 70ies and liking it a lot, but have never renewed the aquaintance. Must do something about that. After I've done something about never having heard Frank Bridges Oration.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

After I've done something about never having heard Frank Bridges Oration.

'Oration' was the first piece by Bridge I ever heard (Lyrita). An unforgettable work. You have something to look forward to, Erato...

[SonicMan46]

Well, I have a lot of cello-orchestral works, including 'solo' concertos, but Dvorak is the only composer that I own in multiple versions, so voted for him; however, the cello is one of my favorite instruments, so I do enjoy many of them; the Baroque & Classical composers are probably my overall favorite time periods, many already mentioned, such as Bach, Boccherini, & Haydn. 

[not edward]

Anybody heard the sallinen cello concerto? Remember hearing it (with Arto Noras) in the 70ies and liking it a lot, but have never renewed the aquaintance. Must do something about that. After I've done something about never having heard Frank Bridges Oration.

It's certainly a strong piece IMO, though not at the very top rank. The structure is very unusual (20 minute slow movement followed by 7 minute fast one) but for me he manages to pull it off.

The Noras recording on a Finlandia/Warner double is excellent.

[The new erato]

It's certainly a strong piece IMO, though not at the very top rank. The structure is very unusual (20 minute slow movement followed by 7 minute fast one) but for me he manages to pull it off.

The Noras recording on a Finlandia/Warner double is excellent.

Thanks; will go looking for it. I have been listening to a recently aquired cpo Sallinen disc that really got me into thinking about more Sallinen.....

[Wanderer]

'Oration' was the first piece by Bridge I ever heard (Lyrita). An unforgettable work.

Which recording would you recommend, the Lyrita or the Nimbus?



PS. ...despite what the pics might suggest, the actual recordings are probably the same size. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I only know the Lyrita... But you can read up on Oration by following these links:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/Aug07/Bridge_oration_srcd244.htm

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/sept07/Bridge_SRCD244.htm

http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classRev/2004/Apr04/Bridge4.htm

[Wanderer]

I only know the Lyrita... But you can read up on Oration by following these links:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/Aug07/Bridge_oration_srcd244.htm

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/sept07/Bridge_SRCD244.htm

http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classRev/2004/Apr04/Bridge4.htm

Thanks, Jezetha! 

[quintett op.57]

Haydn 2 & Schumann
Honegger would have been my 3rd choice
Schnittke 1 is one of my fav as well

[Haffner]

Haydn 2 & Schumann
Honegger would have been my 3rd choice
Schnittke 1 is one of my fav as well

There's a Schnittke Cello Concerto? That sounds interesting...

After having been greatly impressed by the gift of the Dvorak Cello Concerto (from a highly valued friend from here, G. thank you!) I am hesitant to keep playing up the Haydn and Schumann as stridently. This is a really excellent work.

[not edward]

There's a Schnittke Cello Concerto? That sounds interesting...

Two, actually. Both are large-scale works in his more Mahlerian vein.

[Haffner]

Two, actually. Both are large-scale works in his more Mahlerian vein.

Now I'm definitely interested. Any recording reccomendations, please?

[not edward]

Now I'm definitely interested. Any recording reccomendations, please?

Unless you want the original couplings this would seem to be a good one-stop-shop for Schnittke's cello music:



Gutman is also excellent in #1, as is Rostropovich in #2.

[Haffner]

Unless you want the original couplings this would seem to be a good one-stop-shop for Schnittke's cello music:



Gutman is also excellent in #1, as is Rostropovich in #2.

Well, when you wrote Rostropovich you really got me fired up, Edward, thank you!

[Guido]

Anybody heard the sallinen cello concerto? Remember hearing it (with Arto Noras) in the 70ies and liking it a lot, but have never renewed the aquaintance. Must do something about that. After I've done something about never having heard Frank Bridges Oration.

Both are superb works. For the Bridge I recommend Alban Gerhardt on Chandos. The Sallinen has to be Arto Noras - it's a work that really grows on you with repeated listenings (same is true of Oration).

The Schnittke concertos are quite remarkable works - Mahlerian in scale, sound and feel as has been noted. The second concerto is the most difficult concerto that Rostropovich said he had ever played! It has an astonishing finale that redeems the work (probably). Ultimately though, neither concerto has set my heart ablaze.

And Andy - I am gla you are getting on well with the Dvorak. And don't stop touting the Schumann concerto - many cellists that I know prefer it to the Dvorak! Oddly underplayed (though it is still played a fair bit), probably because its not at all showy, and also is rather difficult to bring off convincingly. I adore the Haydn C major - pure joy and brilliance from start to finish; but the D major has never really convinced me, lovely though parts of it are - it just seems lumpy and awkward for late Haydn (or the little I've heard of it), and I don't think it is by him (despite them finding a score written in his hand). If one listens to the Kraft concertos the similarities are remarkable.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Martinu's two concertos are among his best works.

[not edward]

Martinu's two concertos are among his best works.

I've never managed to like either the Martinu sonatas or concertos. I have the Bendas in the sonatas and Wallfisch in the concertos--is the choice of recordings perhaps the problem?