Sound Samples 07 - Dvořák: Cello Concerto

Dvořák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations

About the Music: After exploring Dvořák’s final three symphonies many moons ago, I read about his renowned Cello Concerto (Op.104), which was written in 1895 while he was residing in the United States. I have been curious about the cello for some time, as it strikes me as being one of the the most cerebral instruments because of its low tones. Since the Cello Concerto was developed shortly after the creation of the New World Symphony (No. 9), I figured that it would be highly appealing, so I picked up the acclaimed Deutsche Grammophon recording of the work performed by intrepid cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, superstar conductor Herbert Von Karajan, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Karajan bears a vague resemblance to the character of Roy Batty from the film Blade Runner, but I won’t hold that against him.

In the first movement, the orchestra introduces the main theme, but Rostropovich makes his presence known a few minutes afterwards and allows the cello to echo the other instruments. I appreciate how the orchestra faintly accompanies the cellist in this passage in order to build tension.

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It’s not too long before we receive this jubilant fanfare, one of the movement’s crowning moments.

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There’s a great deal of chemistry between Rostropovich and the orchestra, as this excerpt demonstrates.

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The second movement is fairly gentle, but when you’re listening to a Dvořák work or many other romantic pieces, you don’t always know when the tide will change. If you’re in the concert hall, you can forecast this abruptness by observing certain musicians as they prepare to play, but if you’re listening to a recording such as this one for the first time, you’ll just have to let it surprise you, your pets, and everyone else in the room.

30s-dvorak-cello-concerto-op104-rostropovich-mvmt2a.mp3

Here’s a very warm passage that may just grow on you.

31s-dvorak-cello-concerto-op104-rostropovich-mvmt2b.mp3

I don’t like the aggressive third movement as well as the previous ones, but it still has some fantastic elements. The cellist ignites the orchestra here, and then proceeds to briefly create some rather playful sounds that seem contrary to the regimented tone that has been established.

31s-dvorak-cello-concerto-op104-rostropovich-mvmt3a.mp3

Dvořák still manages to reveal his light-hearted nature later on, however.

30s-dvorak-cello-concerto-op104-rostropovich-mvmt3b.mp3

Paltry sound samples can’t convey the majesty of this recording. Buy this disc, now!