DVOŘÁK A. PIANO CONCERTO, CELLO CONCERTO / M.Kasík, J.Bárta / CPO / J.Kout, J.Bělohlávek

CDI

Antonín Dvořák - Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G minor, Op.33 38:20

1. Allegro agitato 18:25

2. Andante sostenuto 8:39

3. Finale. Allegro con fuoco 10:53

CDII

Antonín Dvořák - Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 2 in B minor, Op.104 42:25

1. Allegro 15:59

2. Adagio, ma non troppo 12:17

3. Finale. Allegro moderato 13:55

Martin Kasík piano, Jiří Bárta cello

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Jiří Kout conductor (CDI), Jiří Bělohlávek conductor (CDII)

In this "Year of Czech Music" it would be difficult to offer music lovers anything more representative than two of the three instrumental concertos of Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), and it would be difficult to imagine more competent exponents of this music than the Czech Philharmonic and experienced Czech music specialists like Jiří Kout and Jiří Bělohlávek. The G minor Piano Concerto presents a tremendous challenge even for world-class pianists; Dvořák didn't take future performers too much into consideration as he was writing, and although this piece is strikingly beautiful, it is tremendously demanding, and every effective moment onstage must be earned a hundred times over in the practice room. Martín Kasík is a star pianist of the Czech music scene, and you will certainly be interested to hear how he handled the rigors of recording this piece live. The Violoncello Concerto is by far the most famous concert piece for cello, and Jiří Bárta has performed it countless times in public. This live recording captures his work with all its remarkable, personal nuances of interpretation. These 2 CDs (including 2 bonus videos) are a distinguished contribution to this year's celebration of the brilliant creativity of Antonín Dvořák.

(Supraphon 2004)