This is a peculiar work that is surprisingly not as pleasant as his other concertos, but nevertheless Prokofiev still has some good melodies to attract the listener. Compared to the wonderful Shostakovich First cello concerto with which this is paired, the Sinfonia Concertante is not as demanding technically. But Rostropovich, the dedicatee of this work, plays the solo part with such flair and authority that it is hard not to be persuaded by him. Ozawa is a typically sensitive accompanist, and the London Symphony support their distinguished soloist down to every man and woman. The digital recording is excellent, though Rostropovich's cello is given a little too much of the limelight in the overall aural picture. Coupled with an even finer account of the Shostakovich concerto, this CD pretty much leads the field at the moment (and possibly for quite a long time to come).

Pairing the Dvořák Cello Concerto with the Victor Herbert Second Cello Concerto is not a new idea (Yo-Yo Ma has the same coupling), but it is a good one. A friend of Dvořák known primarily as a composer of operettas (42 altogether, the best known of which is Babes in Toyland), Herbert wrote for several genres, including film music as early as 1916. His Second Cello Concerto inspired Dvorak to try his hand at a similar work, and the orchestration of the Herbert, which includes three trombones, gave him some ideas on scoring. Gautier Capucon and Paavo Järvi give the Herbert a well-paced reading, spirited in its outer movements and deeply heartfelt in its central andante. It is the kind of performance that can make a listener wonder why this piece has been relatively neglected. However, the Dvořák will be the main reason for many people to get this disc…

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovksy: The Nutcracker Ballet Op. 71 (complete)
London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor
Classical | 2 CD | EAC Rip | 303 MB, 3% recovery | FLAC+LOG+Cue | Full scans | RS links
Publisher: Telarc | Recorded: 1986 | Published: 1986

Editorial Reviews - Amazon.com
Charles Mackerras is one of the most purely musical and versatile conductors around. In fact, he's never made a bad record, and this Nutcracker is outstanding… He brings superb drama to the action sequences: the battle with the Mouse King, bustling Christmas scenes at the opening, and the "transformation" of the Christmas tree. In the second act (which is where most of the famous Suite comes from), each of the dances is sharply characterized. In short, a great performance. –David Hurwitz