Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, English Chamber Orchestra :: Haydn: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

The best ever recording of Haydn's Cello Concerto #1

John R. Conway | Niles, MI USA | 11/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yo-Yo Ma and the English Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of José Luis Garcia, have produced what must be the most beautiful recording ever made of Franz Joseph Haydn's well-known Cello Concerto Number 1 in C Major (H 7b no 1). I've heard this work performed many times by many soloists and ensembles, often beautifully, but never better than on this recording. Every note that flows from Ma's bow is exquisitely formed. His phrasing is sensitive and deeply expressive, and he certainly is not afraid to take risks. The interpretation is fresh, dramatic, and daringly original. The orchestra's contribution is perfectly complementary. Yo-Yo Ma and the English Chamber Orchestra have breathed new life into this sometimes tired old chestnut. Warning: You may want to throw out all your other recordings of this concerto once you've heard this one. It's the best."

Ma Wows Yet Again!

John R. Conway | 02/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a young cellist, I found this to be an extremely beautiful recording of the two concertos. I really enjoyed Ma's phrasings in the C Major, which are quite different from, say, Rostropovich's recording of the same. I also found his use of dynamics to be outstanding. The contrasts are there, but not overly emphasized (as many performers do to pieces from this period). An outstanding buy."

Nice, but it falls short of Du Pre's Recordings

Christopher Smith | Atlanta, Georgia | 02/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Maybe this is a case of an opinion being forever formed by the first recording I heard of two pieces I love. Ma is a true virtuoso, but compared to Du Pre's recordings from the late '60's and early 70's with Barenboim and Barbirolli, he seems so restrained. You can argue that the choice to have the cello more integrated with the orchestra is more in the classical rather than romantic mode, so Ma is perhaps being more faithful to Haydn. But I think when you hear the solo notes leap like electricity from Du Pre's instrument, you won't care. There's a passion and fire in Du Pre's performances that seems lacking behing Ma's immaculate but somewhat thin sound. So overall these performances of Ma left me a little dissatisfied. A good second choice, but still a second choice."