Great cellist, Gregor Piatigorsky plays "Finale" from Don Quichote Opus 35 (Richard Strauss). Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner. Recorded on November 15 1941; Syria mosque. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanni
For those too young to have seen him live, he bolted onto the stage, past the orchestra, with the cello held like a sword over his head. Quite an entrance!
A huge man, with beautiful hands, and a sound like no other.
From the point of view of pure expression, no cellist could ever touch Piatigorsky. Ivan Galamian (the pre-eminent violin pedagogue who taught many great fiddlers including Itzhak Perlman and others) and who played violin in the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra when Piatigorsky was the principal cellist there as a teenager said that he regarded Piatigorsky as the greatest string player in history. Incidentally, Piatigorsky died in 1976, not 1974 as the opening of this video suggests.
@nyankothecat
Your English and statement are fine. For sheer tonal beauty
I think the cellist crown goes to Piatigorsky.
65attila 1 year ago
For those too young to have seen him live, he bolted onto the stage, past the orchestra, with the cello held like a sword over his head. Quite an entrance!
A huge man, with beautiful hands, and a sound like no other.
ipmoic 1 year ago
Takes my breath away. Thanks for posting.
muatlas 1 year ago
Heard him rehearse and play this live @ The Casals Festival in 1967.
He dwarfed his cello and the music.
Etched in my memory.
Pity the final chord is imperfect on this disc.........Reiner must have been furious!
maxreger100 1 year ago
From the point of view of pure expression, no cellist could ever touch Piatigorsky. Ivan Galamian (the pre-eminent violin pedagogue who taught many great fiddlers including Itzhak Perlman and others) and who played violin in the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra when Piatigorsky was the principal cellist there as a teenager said that he regarded Piatigorsky as the greatest string player in history. Incidentally, Piatigorsky died in 1976, not 1974 as the opening of this video suggests.
ChonQuahog 1 year ago
One of my favorite pieces of music played by a tonal and musical genius.
Thank you-John
65attila 2 years ago
Thank you so much for this lovely post! :)
oakroom48 2 years ago
Woo.. what a warm tone.
Sorry my poor english.
nyankothecat 2 years ago