Karl Davidov (Carl Davidoff, Davydov) - Concerto for Violoncello & Orchestra No. 4 In E Minor, Op. 31, Wen-Sinn Yang (cello), Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Terje Mikkelsen (conductor)
1. Allegro – 00:00
2. Lento – 10:31
3. Finale: Vivace – 18:10
Karl Yulievich Davidov (15 March [O.S. 3 March] 1838 – 26 February [O.S. 14 February] 1889) was a Russian cellist of great renown during his time, and described by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as the "czar of cellists". Julius Klengel, another leading cellist, said, "I only understood what cello playing signifies after hearing Davidov in St. Petersburg in my youth." Davidov was also composer, mainly for the cello.
He was born in Latvia into a musical family. His father was a doctor and an amateur violinist. Karl began piano lessons at the age of five, and took up the cello at twelve, with Heinrich Schmidt, principal cellist at the Moscow Theatre.
Davidov was a child prodigy, but his parents insisted that he complete his education before embarking on a career as a cellist. He completed a degree in mathematics at St. Petersburg University, and later studied composition at the Leipzig Conservatory with Moritz Hauptmann. Under the influence of Hauptmann, Davidov became one of the first cellists to link cello technique with anatomical and physiological aspects of performance. After receiving his primary training at the Leipzig Conservatoire, he gained employment with the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig and soon became its lead cellist. When Grützmacher moved to Dresden (Friedrich Grützmacher, 1832-1903, an influential teacher and composer, greatly admired during the 19th century for his brilliant playing technique), Davidov, now 22 years old, took his place at the Leipzig Conservatory as professor of cello.
In 1862, Davidoff returned to Russia as a teacher at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire. Davidov thereafter toured Europe extensively, and was considered the best cellist of his time.
In 1876 Tchaikovsky and Davidov were both candidates for the post of Director at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and it was Davidov who was awarded the position. In 1887 he was victim to an intrigue through which Anton Rubinstein -- who had initially founded the St. Petersburg Conservatory -- was returned to the position of director, and Davidov was forced out. Davidov took this demotion in stride, resumed touring as a soloist and even undertook a non-musical job as a factory supervisor. In January of 1889, at the age of fifty, he was suddenly taken ill in the midst of a performance of a Beethoven sonata, and he died a few days later.
A story: The late Czar, Alexander II., used to give musical entertainments at his palace. On one occasion Rubinstein, Wieniawsky. and Davidoff were present. A certain Count Wielhorsky (noted for his love of art) received the artistes, when Davidoff at once noticed that the Count was very nervous and excited. Asking what the matter was, Davidoff received the following answer: To day I celebrate my seventieth birthday, and in a way of my own; I present you with my Stradivarius violoncello.' Davidoff took this for a joke, but he very soon found out that the Count was quite in earnest. The music began, and after the first trio the emperor spoke to Wieniawsky, remarking upon the lovely tone, of his violin, and asking him what make it was. A Stradivarius, your Majesty, was Wieniawsky s answer, whereupon the emperor remarked to Wielhorsky: 'You have also a Strad, have you not? . The count said, "No, your Majesty, I used to have one, but I gave it to-night to Carl Davidoff." The new owner of the violoncello now saw that the count had indeed not been joking. This cello, constructed in 1712, now known as the Davidov Stradivarius, was owned by Jacqueline du Pré until her death and is currently on loan to cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Ещё видео!