Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Sonatina in G, B183 (arr. Poltéra) [19:51]
Rondo in G minor, B171 [7:24]
Silent Woods, B173 No. 5 [5:23]
Songs my mother taught me, B104 No. 4 [2:20]
Good night, B146 No. 1 [3:09]
Polonaise in A, B94 [8:12]
Larghetto in G minor, B150 No. 4 [5:51]
Song to the Moon from
Rusalka [5:51]
Leave me alone, B157 No. 1 [4:34]
Christian Poltéra (cello); Kathryn Stott (piano)
rec. January 2011, Studio Gärtnerstraße, Berlin, Germany
BIS BIS-SACD-1947 
[62:35]
Besides its gorgeous cover photo, this disc has three main
attractions: Dvořák’s music, the comprehensiveness of the
collection, and the cello playing of Christian Poltéra. None of them
disappoint. We have here the usual Dvořák cello gold (
Silent
Woods,
Rondo in G minor, the
Polonaise), plus a number of
arrangements by Poltéra himself: of the violin sonatina and four
songs, including ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me’ and the ‘Song
to the Moon’ from
Rusalka.
The sonatina has been arranged for cello before by Oscar Hartwieg,
and Maria Kliegel
recorded that version for Naxos.
Poltéra’s playing is preferable almost everywhere; he has the
perfect light touch in the opening tune, for instance, compared to
Kliegel’s heavier, dour treatment. He also sounds more playful and
‘American’ in the sonatina’s finale. Hartwieg’s
transcription has Kliegel several octaves higher in the scherzo.
The shorter works are all delights, from the rarely-played
Larghetto in G minor to Poltéra’s lovely arrangement of
the ‘Song to the Moon.’ I had thought
Silent Woods more
or less impossible to play poorly, but Ramon Jaffe’s lack-lustre
account on CPO increases my appreciation for Poltéra’s polish
and dignified style. If the CD’s encore looks unfamiliar (“Lasst
mich allein”), you will find, upon hearing it, that it is the song
which Dvořák quotes in his great concerto, in memory of his
beloved sister-in-law. Poltéra and pianist Kathryn Stott are as
sensitive as ever in this touching finale.
Basically, if you love Dvořák, and you love good cello
playing, acquire this. Poltéra is an admirable performer, Kathryn
Stott is a good partner, and the chance to hear so many of the
composer’s gems on this instrument, played so well, is not to be
missed. This disc is an ideal companion to the legendary concerto.
Brian Reinhart
