This is an amazing documentary and complete performance made 40 years ago, in 1969. I watched this DVD several times, because it has so much interesting content:
Jacqueline duPre was a terrific British Cellist, and she died of Multiple Sclerosis many years ago. We are lucky that a few recordings of her playing are still around. My favorite is her performance of the Elgar Cello concerto. Here she plays the Schubert Trout Quintet with young Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Daniel Barenboim and Pinchas Zuckerman. And I mean “young”!
Zubin Mehta plays the Bass part here, and he went on to become Music director of the New York Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic. The other players are also in their 20’s. The music is beautifully performed. My only criticism would be somewhat lack of attention to the dynamics. Watch, however, the interplay between pairs of players: As an example, Zuckerman has outstanding eye contact with DuPre; the result is matched phrasing in so much of this piece. What great ensemble playing they produce!
The solo parts for the Cello are magnificent. DuPre produces amazing sound from that instrument.
I have heard many performances of this work, most notably by artists such as Yo Yo Ma, and Emanuel Ax, with assistance fro Rebecca Young, violist of the N Y Philharmonic. Still this DVD is of high interest, because it lets us see the magic of enthusiastic youth at the start of their respective careers!
If you want to purchase this DVD, please see: