① Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 ② Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 ③ Bruch: Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 Pablo Casals (cello) Conductor: George Szell Czech Philharmonic Orchestra ① Conductor: Sir Adrian Boult BBC Symphony Orchestra ② Conductor: Landon Ronald London Symphony Orchestra ③ Recorded: 1937, 1945, 1936 Dvořák is an exceptional masterpiece. Even with famous recordings by Rostropovich, Fournier, Du Pré, and Maisky, its value does not fade. You will be overwhelmed by Casals' powerful performance at age 61. The combination of Casals and Szell conducting the Czech Philharmonic is also a miraculous one. It was selected as the 4th best in the 2017 "500 Greatest Recordings." Elgar's Cello Concerto is, of course, dominated by Du Pré's performance, but it's surprising that Casals left such a great performance 20 years earlier. It was selected as the 3rd best in the "500 Greatest Recordings." This performance by Casals and Szell, while an analog recording and inferior in S/N ratio to recent digital recordings, is the best recording of this piece, thanks to the close collaboration between the cello and orchestra and Casals' thick, robust performance. It retains the good aspects of analog recording, and is a good example of how the emotion the performance gives to the audience does not necessarily correlate with the quality of the sound. The tempo is generally fast, and the first theme by the solo cello begins with tremendous energy, followed by a fiery performance. The second movement is also not weak, but majestic. The third movement is also grand in scale and concludes passionately. The recording was made around the same time as the recording of Bach's Cello Suites, which was from 1936 to 1939. I think much has been said about Dvořák and Elgar, so I will talk about the Bruch piece, which is also included. This piece is divided into a melancholic first half and a solemn second half, especially the second half, where the sound of the harp is beautiful. This recording has quite old sound quality, but Casals' cello moves the listener's heart beyond the times. Ronald's conducting is also wonderful. Imported, no scratches on the disc. *Bulk purchase discounts available (please comment in advance) 150 yen off for each additional item 150 yen off all items for 10 or more items (Please refrain from discounts on single purchases)