What do you think is the best cello concerto ever?

In addition to the ones in the poll, Rozsa, Lalo, Brahms Double, Beethoven Triple, Barber, Rouse, Ligeti, Kabalevsky #1/#2, and Korngold also great concertos.

Dvorak and it isn't even close.

This exactly.

I'm dubious of the term "greatest" used in such a context, but aside from that, I really like the Dutilleux for not only the way it extends the instrument to the limit, but has some wonderful, luscious, nocturnal orchestration. I also like how it was inspired by literature, the poetry of Baudelaire (although it was never meant to illustrate this literally).

Others I like are the Lutoslawski, Shostakovich (especially No. 2), Myaskovsky, Hovhaness, Haydn. I'm not a big fan of the Dvorak, as it's coverage has just about reached saturation point, but I do admit that it is a masterpiece & can be quite moving in many ways. The Prokofiev & Britten are not entirely successful for me, putting the cello into a symphonic context doesn't create the same type of dynamism as the piano (that's just my opinion, anyway). I don't really like the Elgar as it seems to tread old ground and doesn't extend the instrument or the genre in any way (again, my opinion only).

Ones that I would really like to hear are the Vieuxtemps & Ligeti...

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"Contrary to general belief an artist is never ahead of his time but most people are far behind theirs" - Edgard Varese

I really have to say the Dvorak b minor, with the two Haydn coming in a relatively close second. But the Dvorak is my all-time favorite concerto for ANY instrument with orchestra, and I'm saying this as a pianist. So it REALLY hits me, obviously!

Tom

Of the ones listed, Dvorak, but I actually would choose EJ Moeran's cello concerto - such a neglected composer!

I LOVE the Morean CC but alas not listed(nor the Bax). The Elgar would be my choice of the listed concertos.I do admire the Dvorak though and wish the Bax Cello concerto would get more airplay and concert performances.

Robert Schumann, Cello Concerto in A minor.

<sick of listing "best" works in particular forms and genres>

BLAH.

I picked Shostakovich - especially for the No. 1 with Rostropovich performing. I'm sure I've heard the Dvorak, but can't really say it grabbed me. Elgar would be my next choice.

Hey, quit being such a sourpuss. Wait, nevermind, that's your job! Keep up the good work, then

Thirded. The distance between Dvorak's and the next is enormous.

Yes, probably the only cello concerto of substance between those by Haydn & the late C19th (eg. Saint-Saens, Dvorak). Like his Piano Concerto, quite groundbreaking in the way it makes a lyrical, poetic statement rather than being flashy & showy. I will be seeing the Schumann CC live later in the year with Australian cellist Emma Jane Murphy - can't wait!...

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"Contrary to general belief an artist is never ahead of his time but most people are far behind theirs" - Edgard Varese

The Dvorak is nice, but just not inventive or original enough for me to consider it a great.

I'm glad to see my own concerto is doing nicely lol! That's what I voted for. He (I) gets the balance between soloist and orchestra just right and the 3rd mtv is so soul-searchingly beautiful. Jacqueline du Pre gives the best rendition imo.

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When all the paint has been dried, when all the stone has been carved, music shall remain, and we shall work with what remains.

Strange, the dvorak concerto seems to have a greater firey original inspiration in its writing than Elgar does for me (sorry) but it dosnt bother me either way becuase they are both equal of one another depending on my mood i coyld choose either but none other - i did choose the dvorak as its just a little healthier in expression - elgar i find a little stifling - like the windows need opening after a long period of being cooped away feeling sorry for ones self - dvorak is more a breath of fresh air