Cello Concertos
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Jacques Offenbach, Camille Saint-Saëns, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Label: Red Seal
Magazine Review Date: 8/1986
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: RD71003
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Concerto-rondò |
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Erich Kunzel, Conductor Jacques Offenbach, Composer Ofra Harnoy, Cello |
| Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 1 |
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer Ofra Harnoy, Cello Paul Freeman, Conductor Victoria Symphony Orchestra |
| Variations on a Rococo Theme |
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer
Ofra Harnoy, Cello Paul Freeman, Conductor Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Composer Victoria Symphony Orchestra |
Composer or Director: Jacques Offenbach, Camille Saint-Saëns
Label: RCA
Magazine Review Date: 8/1986
Media Format: Vinyl
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: RL71004
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Concerto-rondò |
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Erich Kunzel, Conductor Jacques Offenbach, Composer Ofra Harnoy, Cello |
| Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 1 |
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer Ofra Harnoy, Cello Paul Freeman, Conductor Victoria Symphony Orchestra |
Composer or Director: Jacques Offenbach, Camille Saint-Saëns
Label: RCA
Magazine Review Date: 8/1986
Media Format: Cassette
Media Runtime: 0
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: RK71004
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Concerto-rondò |
Jacques Offenbach, Composer
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Erich Kunzel, Conductor Jacques Offenbach, Composer Ofra Harnoy, Cello |
| Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 1 |
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer
Camille Saint-Saëns, Composer Ofra Harnoy, Cello Paul Freeman, Conductor Victoria Symphony Orchestra |
Author: Andrew Lamb
The Concerto was, of course, designed for Offenbach's own use, for he was himself a considerable cello virtuoso. It contains some formidably difficult writing, especially in the instrument's upper register. Whether it is actually the Concerto militaire of 1848 that is to be found in Offenbach work lists I am unsure. At all events, I believe that the date of 1850 attributed to it in the notes accompanying this release is no more than an approximation. The score was presented by Offenbach's descendants to the Library of Congress, and it was given its first modern performance by the forces of this recording in 1983.
Ofra Harnoy is a young Israeli-born cellist (see March, ''News & Views''), who meets every technical challenge the work presents and squeezes out every ounce of sentiment that it offers. But, as I have indicated, it is a somewhat lightweight work, and the Saint-Saens concerto therefore represents a somewhat unnatural coupling. If that is the work you want, you would probably be better off with either of the issues listed above, especially the Decca with Lynn Harrell, which offers a greater intensity of attack, more refined orchestral playing, and a better integration of soloist and orchestra. Here the soloist is placed somewhat forward. But, if you want something a little different and undeniably easy on the ear, do try this Offenbach work!'
Cello Concertos
Ofra Harnoy plays Offenbach & Saint-Saëns
Ofra Harnoy plays Offenbach & Saint-Saëns
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