Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto is considered the finest of his concertos, and arguably the greatest of all such works for the cello, with its majestic character, imposing themes and moods of intense drama and warm lyricism. The nostalgic Silent Woods and the sprightly, eloquent Rondo in G minor both predate the concerto, while the songful Romance in F minor contrasts with the virtuoso brilliance of the Mazurek in E minor. Conducted by Walter Susskind and performed by soloists who were legends in their lifetime – violinist Ruggiero Ricci and cellist Zara Nelsova – these recordings are acclaimed classics.

This VOX Audiophile Edition recording was first released in 1975 as LP cat. SVBX 5135, and subsequently appeared as part of VoxBox QSVBX-5135 with all of Dvořák’s works for solo instruments and orchestra in quadraphonic sound.

Zara Nelsova (1918–2002) was one of the great 20th-century prodigies of the cello, giving her orchestral debut at the age of twelve and securing an international reputation not long after.

A native of Czechoslovakia, Walter Susskind was a leading conductor in the UK just after the Second World War, performing throughout Europe as an acclaimed guest conductor. He held the post of Music Director of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra from 1968 to 1975.

The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.

‘The performances are never less than solid, expertly played and musically rewarding.’ – The New York Times

‘I find Nelsova and Susskind immeasurably superior to either [Rostropovich/Karajan or Du Pré/Celibidache]. Listen for example to the desolate passage for cello in the first movement with the flute’s ghostly counter-theme and how Susskind has so adroitly worked on the string tone colouring in the preceding tutti to prepare the ground for Nelsova’s entry here… you will gain a great understanding of the work’s strength and meaning when you listen to Nelsova and Susskind and much more besides.’ – MusicWeb International on the Cello Concerto