Antonín Dvořák - Cello Concerto; etc. (Alisa Weilerstein)

Information

Composer: Antonín Dvořák

1. Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro
2. Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104: II. Adagio ma non troppo
3. Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104: III. Finale: Allegro moderato
4. Lasst mich allein, Op. 82 No. 1
5. Rondo in G minor, Op. 94
6. Theme from Symphony No. 9, after "Goin’ Home"
7. Songs my mother taught me, Op. 55 No. 4
8. Silent Woods, Op. 68 No. 5
9. Slavonic Dance in G minor Op. 46 No. 8

Alisa Weilerstein, cello

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor

Anna Polonsky, piano

Date: 2014

Label: Decca

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Review

How disarmingly unforced and personable the Czech Philharmonic sound in the Concerto’s introduction, Jiří Bĕlohlávek providing a quietly authoritative, glowingly affectionate launching pad for Alisa Weilerstein’s superbly articulate entry. I recall her contribution on the Weilerstein Trio’s delectable 2006 anthology for Koch containing Dvořák's Second and Fourth (Dumky) piano trios, and the present display confirms that she has a real feel for this repertoire. Not only does Weilerstein possess a flawless technical address, lustrous tone-production and intrepid range of dynamic, her playing evinces a captivating candour and risk-taking flair that not only succeed in activating the goosebumps (always a good sign) but also make you hear the music with fresh ears. For all the red-blooded temperament and freewheeling spontaneity on show, though, it’s in the concerto’s softer, frequently chamber-like passages that Weilerstein and those inimitably songful Czech winds really come into their own, the music’s intimacy and sense of loss conveyed with the most raptly instinctive poetry imaginable. Just occasionally the prominent solo balance masks detail within the generous acoustic of Prague’s Rudolfinum. No matter: among the leading digital contenders, this conspicuously commanding and characterful new partnership must rank alongside Steven Isserlis’s recent version.

I also greatly enjoyed the remaining items, which find Weilerstein striking up a tangibly communicative rapport with Anna Polonsky (whose quick-witted pianism is a constant pleasure). Both Silent Woods and the Rondo are essayed with genuine aplomb, whereas the slightly clunky arrangement of the vivacious G minor Slavonic Dance doesn’t entirely come off. However, everything else here most certainly does, adding up to a disc worthy of the highest plaudits.

— Andrew Achenbach

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Antonín Dvořák (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904) was a Czech composer. He was the second Czech composer to achieve worldwide recognition, after Bedřich Smetana. Following Smetana's nationalist example, many of Dvořák's works show the influence of Czech folk music, such as his  two sets of Slavonic Dances, the Symphonic Variations, and the overwhelming majority of his songs. Dvořák wrote in a variety of forms: nine symphonies, ten operas, three concertos, several symphonic poems, serenades for string orchestra and wind ensemble, more than 40 works of chamber music, and piano music.

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Alisa Weilerstein (born 14 April 1982) is an American cellist. She made her debut at age 13 with the Cleveland Orchestra, and since then has performed with a number of other major orchestras on four continents. Weilerstein is also active in chamber music and performs with her parents as the Weilerstein Trio, as well as in duo recitals with pianist Inon Barnatan. A champion of contemporary music, she has worked extensively with composers Osvaldo Golijov, Lera Auerbach and Joseph Hallman. Her discography includes chart-topping albums and the winner of BBC Music's "Recording of the Year" award.

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