Popper: Works for Cello & Orchestra

Featuring

Ronald Zollman
Antônio Meneses
Sinfonieorchester Basel
David Popper

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Critical Reception

George Bernard Shaw, a sharp London music critic, once complained about hearing David Popper's Mazurka 14,000 times in two concert seasons, always followed by his Papillon as an encore.

Compositional Technique

David Popper was a master of the 'character piece,' creating concise miniatures that combine high instrumental virtuosity with original poetic ideas, such as the humorous Papillon or the dazzling Elfentanz.

Composer's Artistic Vision

David Popper's music primarily aims to creatively and pleasingly showcase the solo instrument, with its charm lying in inspired and technically refined details rather than grand compositional architecture.

Critical Reception

Despite his earlier popularity, David Popper lamented in 1911, two years before his death, that his name was rarely mentioned publicly, feeling like a forgotten legend.

Composer Biography

David Popper, born in Prague in 1843 to a Jewish cantor, began cello studies at age 12 and by 15 was playing solo cello in the Prague opera house.

Composer Biography

David Popper held prestigious positions, including solo cellist of the Vienna Court Opera and Vienna Philharmonic, and later a professorship at the Budapest Music Academy at Franz Liszt's invitation.

Composer Biography

Hans von Bülow, a renowned conductor, praised the 21-year-old David Popper's talent, beautiful sound, and great technique after a concert with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.