Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante; TchaIkovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme; Andante Cantabile

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
One of the great, neglected compositions for cello and orchestra (it was composed for the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich), Prokofiev's Symphony-Concerto deserves a much wider audience. The work's length and technical difficulty have, until recently, prevented it from receiving much attention in concert, though it has been recorded several times. Ma's performance is exceptionally fine--listening to the security with which he attacks the stratospheric closing bars is an especially exciting experience--and the coupling of Prokofiev with two of Tchaikovsky's cello-centered works is both apt and refreshing. This disc is one of Ma's very best. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Sinfonia Concertante For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 125: I. Andante
Sinfonia Concertante For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 125: II. Allegro giusto
Sinfonia Concertante For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 125: III. Andante con moto
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Moderato quasi andante - Tema. Moderato semplice
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. I Tempo del tema
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. II Tempo del tema
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. III Andante sostenuto
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. IV Andante grazioso
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. V Allegro moderato
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. VI Andante
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op. 33: Var. VII Coda. Allegro vivo
Andante Cantabile For Cello And String Orchestra

Amazon.com essential recording

One of the great, neglected compositions for cello and orchestra (it was composed for the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich), Prokofiev's Symphony-Concerto deserves a much wider audience. The work's length and technical difficulty have, until recently, prevented it from receiving much attention in concert, though it has been recorded several times. Ma's performance is exceptionally fine--listening to the security with which he attacks the stratospheric closing bars is an especially exciting experience--and the coupling of Prokofiev with two of Tchaikovsky's cello-centered works is both apt and refreshing. This disc is one of Ma's very best. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante.......2005-02-19

Quite honestly, I have heard much better recordings of this piece. Yo yo Ma's interpretation of this Sinfonia Concertante is boring. The second movement especially drags along; it lacks the tremendous drive that was originally intended for this piece as well as a lack of expression. It is a recording that is under mediocre. Preferably, I'd choose Han na Chang's recording of this piece for EMI or Rostopovich's.

Underrated.......2004-02-29

As this won a Grammy I guess it's not a well kept secret but it was to me. The recording is pristine much like Respighis Pines of Rome featuring the PSO. I couldn't agree more with the Amazon editorial review--I don't know that I've heard Ma sound better and in my opinion the Pittsburgh Symphony is the most underrated in America. A must have and a steal at this price!

A Must-Have.......2001-09-23

Another Prokofiev masterpiece, another demonstration that Ma's playing is beyond sublime. I've never been a big Tchaikovsky fan, most of his music is too sentimental for my taste, but this recording melted me. Supposedly you can't wear out a CD but I'm going to test that theory with this one.....get it. Listen to it. Be overwhelmed.

What a Pittsburgh native thinks................2001-03-06

While I can hardly agree with the notion that Yo Yo Ma turns to gold everything he touches, he certainly 'shines' like it on this album, but, so does everyone else. With master producing and engineering from Steven Epstein and Bud Graham respectively, it seems that Ma, Maazel and the great Pittsburgh Orchestra were in all their glory on this release. The Variations for Cello and Orchestra are spirited, joyful and lushly played and Prokoviev's Sinfonia Concertante is peformed with power and strength as a Russian-Soviet era piece should be. This is a classic recording in every respect and please take note that it did win a grammy. Highly recommended!!!

Everything Ma Touches Turns To Gold.......2000-09-24

Is there such a thing as a bad Yo-Yo Ma album? The virtuoso who has recently brought us such eclectic recordings as "Simply Baroque" and "Appalachian Journey," here shows us his mastery of Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, or "Sinfonia Concertante." While I don't have any other recordings of this piece to compare to this one, suffice it to say that this performance is magnificent. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the conduction of Lorin Maazel plays terrifically. Ma himself showcases his diverse talents, perfectly capturing the essence of the dark, haunting second movement, and playing with greater fervor and forcefulness in the brisk, triumphant third and final movement. For Tchaikovsky's "Variations On A Rococo Theme," I can compare this recording to the famous Rostropovich/Karajan one on DG, and this performance by Ma is its equal. The final piece "Andante Cantabile," also by Tchaikovsky, is beautiful and sublime and the perfect conclusion to this disc. Another essential CD by the great Yo-Yo Ma.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Brushfire Fairytales

Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze; Faschingsschwank aus Wien; Novelette

Stravinsky: The Flood; Wuorinen: A Reliquary for Igor Stravinsky

I'd Be with You/Daddy's Little Girl [CD-single]

Southern Sun [CD-single]

Sol

Russia's Most Beautiful Songs

Southside Double-Wide: Acoustic Live [Limited Edition] [Live]

Ssssh

Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos / Richter

No Day Rising

Oasis

Sabor Tropical

Bellini: La Sonnambula

Spike's Choice, Vol. 1: Desco Funk 45 Collectio