Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A definitive collection, 28 Jan 2008
Most, if not all, of these recordings have been released previously by EMI, while some of them - notably the 1965 Elgar Cello Concerto - have proved so popular that they have been continuously available since their initial release.
Despite the inevitable duplication - du Pre fans will almost certainly already have the Elgar and Haydn concertos - this is undoubtedly the definitive Jacqueline du Pre collection, providing 17 CDs of cello works by a huge array of composers from baroque (Bach and Handel) to Beethoven and the romantics and modernists such as Chopin & Bruch. There are no fewer than 25 different composers represented.
The set really does demonstrate the versatility of the cellist, with so many works which have been overlooked it's the best set I've seen to do real justice to one of the 20th centuries most famous and enigmatic performers.
The 17 CDs are nicely supplied in card sleeves and a compact box just 5cm thick, with a 24 page (20 in English) booklet detailing performers, performing dates, venues. Sadly lacking however is a good informative biography of du Pre's life, which is surely an essential requirement of a comprehensive set like this?
Top marks though for a complete set of recordings, well packaged & presented.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful set, 11 Jan 2009
I agree completely with the enthusiastic reviews here. This is an absolutely outstanding set, at an amazingly low price. Jacqueline du Pré was a truly remarkable musician, and her verve, thoughtfulness and sheer brilliance show in every one of these fine recordings. It is true that the notes are basic at best, but at this price for 17 superb CDs I don't think one can carp. Don't hesitate - it's a fantastic set.
Here's a (fairly complete) list of the works included:
Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85
Delius: Cello Concerto
Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op.33
Saint-Saens: Carnaval des animaux - Le cynge
Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op.104
Dvorak: Silent Woods Op.68
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129
Schumann: Fantasiestucke, Op.73
Monn: Cello Concerto in G minor
Haydn: the two Cello Concertos
Beethoven: Variations, all the Piano Trios an all the Cello Sonatas (with Barenboim and Zukerman)
Brahms: the three Cello Sonatas
J S Bach: Cello Suites Nos.1&2; Viola da gamba Sonata No.2 in D;
Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor, Op.65
Franck: Cello Sonata in A (arr. Delsart)
Handel: Sonata in G minor HWV287 (arr. J W Slatter)
F Couperin: Les Gouts-Reunis (1724) - Treizieme Concert a deux instruments a l'unisson
R Strauss: Don Quixote, Op.35
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D minor
Boccherini: Cello Concerto No.9 in B Flat G.482 (Cadenzas by Grützmacher)
Bruch: Kol Nidrei Op.47
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op.50
Mendelssohn: Song without Words in D, Op.109
Faure: Elegie in C minor, Op.24
Falla: Suite populaire espagnole - Jota (arr. Maurice Marechal)
Britten: Cello Sonata in C, Op.65 : II - Scherzo: Pizzicato / IV - Marcia
Paradis: Sicilienne (arr. Dushkin)
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful music played as only she could..., 7 Nov 2007
Du Pré did not live long enough to develop to the same level as Pablo Casals or Mstislav Rostropovich, but she was a truly great and individual voice, and deserves her place among the great cellists...
This box does what it says on the tin, 17 CDs of music, with few repetitions of repertoire).
There really is no point trying to pick out 'highlights' from this box, the performance standard from all concerned is that high, most obviously from her husband Daniel Barenboim.
The remastered sound is excellent and suitably full bodied. The sturdy box is nicely compact.
The booklet, however, is frankly woeful. Track list/recording details, and a (thankfully) short, embarrassingly gushing 'tribute' by one Mr Nupen which, if you started knowing nothing about Du Pre, you would finish it in much the same state. And that's your lot. I know this is a budget release, but Du Pre deserves better than Mr Nupen's drivel.
But the music is such that even this is soon forgotten...
All in all a highly recommended box set for all lovers of good music.
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