New: Pierre Fournier on EMI "Rarissimes"

[Lance]

~ Announcing: New Release / Historical Recordings ~

Pierre Fournier, cellist
•Schumann: Cello Concerto, Op. 129 *
•Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33*
•Dvorak: Cello Concerto, Op. 14 **
•Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33 ***
Philharmonia Orchestra
*Sir Malcolm Sargent, conductor
**Rafael Kubelik, conductor
***Walter Susskind, condudctor
Recording dates:
1956 (Schumann/Tchaikovsky)
1948 (Dvorak); 1957 (Saint-Saëns)
EMI/France (Rarissime series, 2 CDs), 0946 385270 2 2, Mono
____________________________________________

Who can ever get enough of the elegant and gorgeous cello sound of Pierre Fournier? According to the tray inlay, this is the first CD release of any and all of the four recordings on this set. Fournier was around 50 years old when he made these recordings, with the exception of the Dvorak with Kubelik.

These Rarissimes don't seem to last too long in the catalogue. My recommendation is to get them while you can. You will probably have to go overseas to acquire them as not too many in this series are imported into the USA.

[hassid]

You can add "Les Introuvables", 4 EMI 7243 5 69708 2 3:
Haydn c.c No.2
Schumann cc and Fantasiestucke
Tch.Rococo
LvB the 5 c.s.with Schnabel
Schubert Arpeggione with Jean Hubeau
Chopin Int.and polonaise brillante
and almost 30 short pieces more.

[Lance]

You can add "Les Introuvables", 4 EMI 7243 5 69708 2 3:
Haydn c.c No.2
Schumann cc and Fantasiestucke
Tch.Rococo
LvB the 5 c.s.with Schnabel
Schubert Arpeggione with Jean Hubeau
Chopin Int.and polonaise brillante
and almost 30 short pieces more.

Yes, I have that one - and, especially for the Schnabel/Beethoven ... well, really everything on these discs ... this is a set to die for as well. It too, is highly recommended!

[Chalkperson]

You can add "Les Introuvables", 4 EMI 7243 5 69708 2 3:
Haydn c.c No.2
Schumann cc and Fantasiestucke
Tch.Rococo
LvB the 5 c.s.with Schnabel
Schubert Arpeggione with Jean Hubeau
Chopin Int.and polonaise brillante
and almost 30 short pieces more.

Yes, I have that one - and, especially for the Schnabel/Beethoven ... well, really everything on these discs ... this is a set to die for as well. It too, is highly recommended!

Also DG put out a box called Pierre Fournier, Aristocrat of the Cello not released here but available on amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BV ... 31-6454254

[lmpower]

I am glad to read such praise for Fournier. I had the privilege of seeing him in recital in Beverly Hills High School auditorium. He was one of the masters of one of my favorite instruments.

[Lance]

I am glad to read such praise for Fournier. I had the privilege of seeing him in recital in Beverly Hills High School auditorium. He was one of the masters of one of my favorite instruments.

Fournier was in a class by himself, but I guess any great instrumentalist is. I never had the pleasure of hearing him in person, and he's one I would have liked to very much. But having heard his recordings for years, I almost feel like family when I hear him. Anyway, all these new historical reissues are wonderful acquisitions for an avid collector.

I'm so happy about having this that I could sing to the entire CMG crowd!