Cello Sons

As a chamber musician, I drool over the chance to hear a great cello. Here is my favorite piano composer (Chopin), giving Jackie a chance to shine emotively in the Chopin. The Chopin is so beautiful, written so late in his life, and with such a poignant Largo.

Being a violinist, the Franck threw me for a loop, as I'm used to it being a violin sonata, not a cello one. No matter what, it's a tremendously beautiful work. (Admittedly, though, I'm still getting used to this cello rendition).

Jackie's playing is emotive, and yet at the same time it's tasteful and not overwrought. What a difficult thing to do. I guess you just have to be a natural. Oh, well, my next life...

This, according to the notes by the producer, was Jacqueline Du Pre's very last studio recording. Although she had not yet been diagnosed with the multiple sclerosis that was to halt her career and eventually kill her, it was obvious by this time, early in the 1970s, that something was very wrong. After not playing for months, she had one last remission and was able to make this recording of two great Romantic sonatas with her husband, Daniel Barenboim.

It would be tempting, knowing the moving circumstances of its creation, to listen to these performances with indulgence. In fact, no allowances are necessary--as her producer asserts, there is not the least sign in her playing of illness or lessening powers. The full tone and impulsive, passionate musicianship for which she was famed are there in abundance. A few notes go wild here and there--she was working against time and this has the feel of a one-take, live recording if it was not actually such--but can easily be forgiven. What hindsight does impart is an almost unbearable poignance to the poised, perfectly judged traversal of the Largo of the Chopin Sonata, where composer and both performers (Barenboim, of course, is more than an able partner) are at their expressive peaks. The sound by today's standards is not state-of-the-art, but perfectly adequate. For anyone who enjoys great music making in general, and du Pre in particular, this is a recording not to be missed.

That this recording was made at all is a testament to the incredible inner emotional strength and sheer musical intensity of the irreplaceable cellist, Jacquelyn Dupre who, while not yet diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, had been badly suffering its effects for some time. After six months of leaving the cello in the case during her convalescence, she suddenly pulled it out during a momentary period of strength and alacrity and made the recording. The recording thus serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit and Dupre's indomitable will. As well, the playing is superb. Dupre exhibited her characteristic intensity, superb line, and tone quality in a way that brought the pieces, particularly the Franck almost eerily to life. Barenboim, her husband, weeved a seemless accompaniment, proving himself even then a superb pianist. The music, too, is noteworthy. The Chopin sonata was one of the composer's rare forays into string music. WHile not an unqualified success, the piece still has much to recommend it. The Franck sonata, written for cello and transcribed for violin, is an utter masterpiece, particularly when in the hands of someone like Dupre who had the uncanny ability to manipulate human emotions with her instrument unlike almost any other. The sound quality of the recording is not quite up to modern standards -- it was recorded in the late 60's -- but this does not, in my opinion, detract from the greatness of the recording.