Jacqueline du Pres is one of the most renowned cellists. She is often remembered together with Elgar's cello concerto.
Here is her performance of that piece with Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by her husband at that time, Daniel Barenboim, recorded in 1970.
As introduced in the article, this concerto is tinted with deep melancholy probably due to the tragic war just before it was composed. Du Pres was in the height of happiness since she had married with Barenboim a few years prior to this performance. She sometimes smiled gently at him on the podium while playing this piece. That sure makes us feel heartbroken considering of her tragic future in a year. She has developed symptoms of multiple sclerosis then, which ultimately urged her to retire in 4 years from this rendition and killed her at age of 42.
Her performance is quite emotional. Listen to the beginning phrase in Adagio with deep portamento on C string. This emotion in her performance goes throughout this piece. I was overwhelmed her expression when I listened to this performance in my med school days. How could such a girl play cello in that way! It was in mid '70s and when she has started struggling with multiple sclerosis. I did not know of her struggle those days at all. In 1987, I still remember hearing of the news on her death in mass media. It took me, however, years to understand what life she had spent. She is an unforgettable cellist for me.
This concerto is melancholic in dual meaning to me and to most her fans.
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