Even though many decades have passed since Gregor Piatigorsky performed Dvorák's Cello Concerto in B minor and Walton's Cello Concerto with Charles Münch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, his recordings still stand as profound achievements, rarely if ever matched for passionate expression, timbral clarity, and technical fluency. This reissue in RCA's SACD line is most welcome -- indeed, its inclusion is de rigueur -- for these Living Stereo recordings truly represent the high performance standards and technical advances ...
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Even though many decades have passed since Gregor Piatigorsky performed Dvorák's Cello Concerto in B minor and Walton's Cello Concerto with Charles Münch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, his recordings still stand as profound achievements, rarely if ever matched for passionate expression, timbral clarity, and technical fluency. This reissue in RCA's SACD line is most welcome -- indeed, its inclusion is de rigueur -- for these Living Stereo recordings truly represent the high performance standards and technical advances for which the label has been esteemed. Piatigorsky's 1960 performance of Dvorák's Concerto is deeply moving for its humane warmth and Romantic intensity; and Münch, at the peak of his powers, draws brilliant colors and full textures from the glorious BSO. Walton's Concerto -- dedicated to Piatigorsky and premiered by him -- is more subdued and mysterious, and the work provides a striking contrast to Dvorák's vigor and ebullience. Piatigorsky brings out Walton's dark-toned...
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