Track Listing

1. Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85: Adagio - Moderato
2. Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85: Lento - Allegro Molto
3. Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85: Adagio
4. Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85: Allegro - Moderato - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
5. Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): Allegro... Quasi improvisando
6. Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): Adagio ma non troppo
7. Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): Finale, Allegro moderato

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75010 in Music
• Released on: 2001-03-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

André Navarra rips!
contrary to popular opinion, i think this recording of the elgar cello concerto is the best one will ever hear. Navarra, who i think is underrated gives a sizzling performance that will leave one awed. Like the more famous recording by du Pré, the conductor is Sir john barbirolli, who i think is unparalled in this repertoire. The first movement is passionate and swaying, but navarra is able to steer away from over-indulging. The second movement is incredibly clean and sparkling, the third is simple and delightful, but by far the best is the fourth movement, and this is where conductor and cellist triumph, esp. in the accompanied "cadenza" section. Barbirolli's conducting of the Halle orchestra is much better than his later recording with du Pre, and Andre Navarra gives the performance of a lifetime.
The dvorak concerto features the technical prowess that navarra demonstrates in the elgar, (listen to those octaves at the climax of the development!!!!), but the orchestral accompaniment, though fine, does not evoke the flair and range of emotion necessary, as barbirolli does so convincingly in the elgar.
For all cellists, one should heed how carefully but intensely navarra phrases, as well as his spine-tingling virtuosity. Bravo Navarra!

Maybe even the best Dvorak too
While it is true that Navarra's Elgar with Barbirolli rivals the great Du Pre version, also with Barbirolli, the Dvorak coupling with Schwarz leading the National Symphony Orchestra is quite extraordinary. Navarra has just the right combination of strength and poetic tenderness to capture all the moods of this great work. After listening to DuPre/Celibidache, Casals/Szell and Fournier/Szell for several years, I have come to prefer this recording by Navarra/Schwarz as my favorite -- and the sound is excellent.