– Los Angeles Philharmonic in Concert – Lawrence Foster, guest Cond. – Jacqueline Du Prè, cello – Feb. 16, 1967 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
Another long-thought lost concert this week, and another extreme rarity. The legendary Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre in concert with The Los Angeles Philharmonic, guest Conducted by Lawrence Foster, recorded on February 16, 1967.
Several years ago I posted another Los Angeles Philharmonic concert featuring Du Pre. That one featured the orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim at the Hollywood Bowl. This one is from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with no airplanes or clinking wine bottles.
The rather shortish program features three works:
1. Beethoven: Consecration of The House – Overture
2. Goehr: Pastorals (U.S. Premier)
3. Haydn: Cello Concerto in C Major
In March 1961, at the age of 16, du Pré made her formal début at Wigmore Hall, London. She was accompanied by Ernest Lush, and played sonatas by Handel, Brahms, Debussy and Falla, and a solo cello suite by Bach. She made her concerto début on 21 March 1962 at the Royal Festival Hall playing the Elgar Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Rudolf Schwarz; repeating the Elgar at The Proms with the same orchestra on 14 August of the same year, under Sir Malcolm Sargent. In September 1962, du Pré débuted at the Edinburgh Festival with Brahms’ Second Cello Sonata, followed by débuts in Berlin in September and Paris in October, playing the Schumann Cello Concerto. After the Paris début, du Pré enrolled at the Conservatoire de Paris to study for six months with Paul Tortelier, the tuition paid by her final Suggia Award stipend, although she continued to refer to Pleeth as her primary teacher.
Truly, one of the great Cellists of the 20th Century, in a live concert setting – one which hasn’t been heard since the day it was first recorded.
Enjoy.
