Track Listing

1. I: Enigma
2. II: Gaze
3. III: Surges
4. IV: Mirrors
5. V: Hymn (Allegro)
6. Introduction
7. Four Episodes
8. Cantilena
9. Finale

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62562 in Music
• Released on: 2002-09-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Customer Reviews

rating applies to Dutilleux
This seems far and away the finest recording we will ever have of the Dutilleux. I have been gratified in recent years to hear other performances of this composer's works, but in this case the it seems like the dedicatee can never be surpassed. Truly one of the summits of Rostropovich's recorded output, and one of the finest works of the 20th century to boot.

In contrast, the Lutoslawski receives a comitted reading, but the work does not compare to the Dutilleux. I can imagine buying this recording for the Lutoslawski alone, it is that good. But the Dutilleux work is the one I return to more often.

For those that are unfamiliar with the composer, I will only mention that Dutilleux seems one of those rare 20th century composers whose music deserves the appellation "beautiful."

Late 20th Century Master Works
This title in EMI's Great Recordings of the Century series features two late 20th Century master works for cello and orchestra, performed by one of the great cellists of the late 20th Century, Mstislav Rostropovich. This is a mid-line reissue of what was originally a full-price CD (strangely still available) featuring the Cello Concertos of Dutilleux and Lutoslawski, conducted by Serge Baudo and Witold Lutoslawski himself, both leading the Orchestre de Paris. Both Concertos were completed and premiered in 1970, recorded here in 1974 and written specifically for Rostropovich. These are without a doubt the definitive performances of these works, and while they will prove hard to listen to for some, will be thoroughly enjoyable to those willing to give themselves over to this powerful music.