Dvořák – Alto CD

Dvořák & Schumann Cello Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:29 +0000

(Dvořák) “No praise can be too high for Rostropovich’s performance; not only for its actual playing, technically, but for the poetry, the true inwardness of his expressiveness … I may perhaps be allowed now to say that no performance I have ever heard has given me deeper enjoyment.” (Schumann) “nothing detached or remote about Rostropovich’s playing: indeed his is a reading that is totally committed. He plays with his usual authority and wealth of tone and with great expressive intensity.” (both: Gramophone)

Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op.104 (38:33)

- [1] I. Allegro 14:32
- [2] II. Adagio ma non troppo 11:38
- [3] III. Finale. Allegro moderato 12:22

Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129 (25:20)

[4] Nicht zu schnell 12:09
[5] Langsam 4:59
[6] Sehr Lebhaft 8:11

Brahms: German Requiem / Dvořák: 3 Biblical Songs

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:57 +0000

“Klemperer’s reading …measured and monumental, the performance defies preconceived doubts. …with dynamic contrasts underlined, the result is uniquely powerful…. Solo singing is superb and the Chorus at the peak of their form.

Ein Deutsches Requiem

1. I. Selig sind, die da Leid tragen 9:54
2. II. Den alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras 14:24
3. III. Herr, lehre doch mich 9:49
4. IV. Wie lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen 5:46
5. V. Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit 6:51
6. VI. Denn wir haben hier 11:43
7. VII. Selig sind die Toten 10:10

Antonin Dvořák: from BIBLICAL SONGS, Op.99

8. I. Rings um den Herrn sind Wolken und Dunkel 2:25
9. IV. Gott ist mein Hirte 3:42
10. X. Singet ein neues Lied 2:00

Dvořák Played on Dvořák’s own Bösendorfer (II)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:50 +0000

“the same preoccupation with authenticity persuaded Kvapil to record on the Bösendorfer…the outspoken freshness of the sweet timbres of the instrument testify to the precise sound the composer had available to compose with.(La Montagne, Paris)

“Kvapil has an exemplary approach to Dvořák: his imagination always alert, his gestures always spontaneous, he thus establishes a benchmark with this new collection, finding as before the most eloquent phrases, the most sparkling (oh the liveliness of the Valse op.54/8 !), and the most expressive that he can…..Squaring the circle is here resolved by a perfect stylist who has the emotional language for this music. The interpretations demonstrate similar qualities, whilst nourishing a sustained interest in the piano output of Dvořák (Repertoire magazine, Paris)

Valses op. 54

[1] Moderato 3:41
[2] Allegro con fuoco 3:23
[3] Poco allegro 3:11
[4] Allegro vivace 2:35
[5] Allegro 3:08
[6] Allegro 4:23
[7] Allegro 2:44
[8] Allegro vivace 2:51

Eclogues B 103

[9] Allegro non tanto 3:06
[10] Quasi Allegretto 5:19
[11] Moderato 3:13
[12] Allegretto 4:58

Pièces pour piano op. 52

[13] Impromptu 3:36
[14] Intermezzo 3:20
[15] Gigue 2:21
[16] Eglogue 4:56

Mazurkas op. 56

[17] Allegro non tanto 3:34
[18] Vivo e risoluto 2:47
[19] Allegro 2:25
[20] Lento, ma non troppo 4:12
[21] Allegro non troppo 4:08
[22] Allegro 3:40

Dvořák Piano Trios

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:28 +0000

“First is the Trio in F minor and then the famous Dumky Trio, one of the greatest pieces in the chamber music repertoire. The F minor trio is also music of the highest quality so alto are onto a Good Thing as far as the repertoire is concerned. The recording seems very good to me – perhaps better than famous recordings such as the Beaux Arts Trio and the Suk Trio, but then it is a new recording ! The performances are atmospheric and sensitive as well as robust when necessary. Also the cello playing is quite special. This would be one of the best things on the label” (Christopher Ball, composer and Dvořák Society)

Dvořák Piano Works Played on Dvořák’s Own Bösendorfer Piano

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:12 +0000

A unique opprtunity to hear the original piano music of composer Antonín Dvořák played on his own carefully restored and maintained 1879 Bösendorfer piano by Radoslav Kvapil, recognized as one of the world’s finest exponents of Czech piano music.

[1-8] Humoresques, Op.101 (24:51)
[9-13] American Suite, Op.98 (17:50)
[14-15] Dumka and Furiant, Op.12 (8:16)
[16-27] Silhouettes, Op.8 (20:56)

Total playing time — 71:53
Recorded in the Hluboŝ Castle, Czech Republic, October 1988.
Producer: Zdenĕk Zahradník
© 2004 AMAT
Mastered for Alto by Paul Arden-Taylor.