[SACD-R][OF] Mischa Maisky (cello), Tabea Zimmermann (viola), Zubin Mehta, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak: Cello Concerto and Strauss: Don Quixote - 2003 (Orchestral, Cello)

Mischa Maisky plays the Dvořák ‘cello concerto, along with Strauss’s Don Quixote for Cello, Viola, and Orchestra, with Tabea Zimmermann on viola.
Review from Classical CD Review
Zubin Mehta and Mischa Maisky have been performing together for more than three decades. Here is their collaboration from concerts in December 2002 in Berlin’s Philharmonie hall before remarkably quiet audiences, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor (actually the composer’s second; three decades before its composition in 1894-5 the composer had written a concerto in A major which he never orchestrated), and Strauss’s Don Quixote. Indulgence seems to be the keynote here. Both works are magnificently played, almost overinterpreted one might say, convincing in their own way. The two works wouldn’t fit on a single disk so there are two, sold for the price of one. Sid McLaughlan produced the recording and generally did a fine job in capturing the Berlin Philharmonic’s sound although very little is heard from rear speakers—and for my taste, both Maisky as Quixote and violist Tabea Zimmermann as Sancho Panza are too close.
SA-CD.net:
Site review by Polly Nomial February 16, 2006
Sonics:
This is a issue of two halves (literally as this was one of the early releases when Universal hadn't figured out how to put a decent amount of playing time on one disc) in respect of quality.
The Dvorak opens with an applause track, and it is curious to note how lukewarm the welcome is that Maisky and Mehta receive. The opening playing of the Berliners is nothing short of wonderful, and in sound that actually flatters them for once; this is one of the most natural capturing of the Philharmonie's acoustic. Sadly things soon take a turn for the worse with the entrance of Maisky - why oh why couldn't DG have found a soloist (any of the BPO's cellists for a start!) who wouldn't have so wilfully mauled Dvorak's great music; most points are in the score and do not need any "help". The notes, which are dreadful, make huge claims about Maisky reclaiming the "straitjacket of the specified tempi and notes." This would be a great improvement on what is actually delivered with constant unmarked rallentendo's, accelerations and a frequent harshness of Maisky's tone that verges on (or covers up?) some discrepancy between the BPO's idea of tuning and Maisky's... Not the last word on this concerto by any means. It is a great shame that the soloist is so wilful because the orchestral part can rarely have been so lovingly played. At least the notes do the reader a service in pointing out that DG has also a truly magnificent Dvorak recording in its archives from Rostropovich and Karajan! My advice would be to buy that disc instead for the Dvorak. For those to whom it matters, applause greets the conclusion after a very brief pause on the final track (not separated as in some other issues from DG).
Fortunately, the Strauss is another matter altogether. Once again the BPO are on top form and every note and phrase are beautifully moulded and handed from one section to another without apparent joins, whilst "intruding" special effects are conjured with wonderful abandon. Whilst Maisky's somewhat(!) wilful playing is a handicap in a piece such as the Dvorak, in mimicking the character of one of literatures' most self-absorbed characters, it goes quite well with Strauss' music and doesn't appear out of place here. Tabea Zimmerman's Sancho Pansa is well matched both in outlook and tone, as is the BPO's anonymous but superb concertmaster (I suspect from live performances that I have seen with the BPO that this is Guy Braunstein). Despite being billed as a concert performance, there is no applause and very little "participation" from the audience.
How to sum up? Orchestrally sublime throughout (5 stars). The soloists are good in the Strauss (4 stars) but Maisky's approach leaves a lot to be desired in the Dvorak (2 stars). I can't really allocate a star rating on this basis! However, the sound throughout is one of the best realisations of the Philharmonie's acoustic that DG have managed.

Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
Review by Oscar May 25, 2008 (6 of 9 found this review helpful)
Performance: Sonics:
No, this release will not do. Yes, the sound is very good, and the BPO orchestra is superb. But Zubin Mehta conducts routine performances, the Dvorak piece being specially limp and uninteresting, and maisky gives routine performances, that do not hold to competition in SACD. Queyras in Dvorak (HM) and Vogler/Luisi in R.Strauss (BMG-Sony).

Скачивая приложенные файлы, вы соглашаетесь, по крайней мере, с одним из нижеперечисленных пунктов:
- вы являетесь законным владельцем SACD, аналогичного тому, с которого снята эта копия, и загружаете копию с целью архивирования,
- вы являетесь законным владельцем легальной копии данного произведения, выпущенного на другом носителе (CD, DVD, Vinyl, альтернативный SACD и др.) или приобретенного вами в виде копии, предоставляемой для загрузки через сеть Интернет, и загружаете данные файлы по причине того, что данный SACD более не производится и/или недоступен в вашем регионе,
- вы имеете намерение приобрести оригинальный SACD и загружаете данные файлы с целью предварительного ознакомления перед покупкой. В этом случае, вы обязаны приобрести легальную копию SACD или удалить загруженные файлы в течение 24 часов.
Производство и предоставление доступа к данным файлам проводится с научной целью и не имеет цели извлечения прибыли или иных целей, кроме вышеозначенных. Авторские и смежные права на представленные произведения принадлежат законным правообладателям, обозначенным на упаковке. Данная информация включена в состав представленных файлов.
By downloading the files listed above you agree to at least one of the following:
- You are the righteous owner of a physical and original copy of the SACD, and you’re downloading the files for backup or universal playback purposes.
- In case the SACD is out of print, hard-to-find, or inaccessible in your country, you possess an authentic version of the album as standard CD, vinyl, DVD-A, alternative SACD, or paid-for Internet download.
- You’re previewing/sampling the musical files before purchasing the SACD. In case of lack of purchase, you will permanently delete the files within a 24-hour period.
The files are made for scientific purposes and are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage. Any adaptation, reproduction and distribution right is exclusive to the original copyright holder.