Cellists: Dance of the Elves?

Question

David Popper's 'Dance of the Elves'. This is one piece, and indeed composer as well, that all cellists know, and if you're not a cellist, you probably never even heard of it.

The question now is this: which is your favourite recording of the piece? I think this piece suffers from an unusual problem... Many modern recordings take it TOO FAST, with the wonderful spiccato articulation being lost. I mean... I don't mind Spinning Song being fast, as the bowing is different.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I really like Rostropovich's rendition of it, it's extremely fast, but it's still amazingly clean. I wish I could play like him...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJWjYLG3B...

This guy, Daniel Gaisford, takes it slower, but he is also very clean and well dictated. My only problem with him is that he slows down in the middle and I don't agree with his interpretation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YZ-h-LzI...

Another composition by Popper, not sure if you've heard his Requiem for 3 Cellos, so I'm going to post a link and hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWBUAfq3n...

In response to Lisa, I know the performance of the Requiem isn't the greatest recording, but it's the only one I found on youtube at the time.

Answer 2

Don't we all wish we could play like Rostropovich? I don't really like a lot of Popper's pieces although there are a few. I do like the Requiem although I disliked the performance posted.

The Dance of the Elves is...not something I really care for, however, I prefer it a tad slower so you can really take in the articulation, like you said. It's kinda like Chopin's minute waltz on piano. Speed becomes the goal instead of music.

I haven't really heard my favorite recording yet. If I do, I'll let you know!

~Lisa