Mstislav Rostropovich is the world's greatest cellist, and he has actually made at least five recordings of this greatest of all cello concertos. I have a certain preference for his later version, with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Erato. This version has long been a prime recommendation, and in this new remastering at mid-price, it's an even better deal now. Herbert von Karajan accompanies with his usual expertise, and the Tchaikovsky performance is quite simply the finest around. This concerto is one of those pieces of which you'll want to have five or six copies. Just make sure this is one of them. --David Hurwitz

I had the pleasure of hearing Mstislav's playing of Tchaikovsky's "Rococo variations" on NYC's WQXR. Truth be told I was late for a meeting because I had to stay in my car listening to Mstislav's playing; and I have no regrets! I listened to Rococo repeatedly before I turned to Dvorak's "Cello concerto", and SLAM DUNK! WOW!!! The disk has not been taken out of my CD player since...

I first heard Feuermann's version, and then this one. I have to say there is no comparison. I can't say Rostropovich is a bad cellist, but he seems to have very different philosophy and style as Feuermann, and I just can't find his playing a treat.

This recording of the Dvorak Cello Concerto in B-minor, Op. 104, by Mstislav Rostropovich, with Herbert von Karajan & the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,is not only the finest perfomance of the piece that I have ever heard, including Ma, Du Pre, and Piatigorsky, but it is absolutely one of the very best classical cds I have been privileged to own. This disc is a treasure in every sense of the word. Both soloist and conductor are at the height of their powers, with a recorded sound that is nothing short of phenomenal. Every once in a while, magic can be created on cd and this disc is some of the best evidence of this claim I have ever found. Even if you own some of the other fine performances available, including the ones I have mentioned ( or others I may have missed,) this release by Rostropovich & von Karajan is a must have if ever there was one. In fact, terms like "must have" were coined for compact discs like this DG Originals cd.
Coupled with an excellent performance of Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations,this is a cd that I cannot help but recommend very highly to one & all.

I love the Variations on a Rococo Theme. It's such a beautiful, elegant, inventive piece of music ! Tchaikovsky's music is simply magic. He has a beautiful style. And Rostropovitch plays so well !!!!!!!!!!!!

A MUST-HAVE!!!!!!!

This is, undoubtedly, the reference recording of the Rococo Variations. However, the concerto is more a matter of taste. This has long been the reference edition of the concerto and rightfully so - Karajan and Rostropovich create magic in this recording. Rostropovich brings his typical expertise to the music and Karajan follows suite with a warm, sensitive accompaniment. Still, I have a particular preference for the Ozawa/Boston Symphony performance on Erato. Rostropovich does the seemingly impossible by mustering even more energy for that performance, building a first movement that cannot be bettered. The finale hangs fire while the slow central movement finds the introspective Rostropovich delivering an interpretation of touching beauty. The timbral qualities of the Boston Symphony are more suited to this music, free from the heavy, creamy sound typical of Karajan's Berlin Philharmonic. It's nit-picky, and the Rococo Variations under Ozawa aren't quite as fun, but for the concerto, stick with the digital Erato recording.