Prague Recordings

The complete Supraphon recordings of André Navarra, 1953-1966. Johannes Brahms - Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 102; Sonatas for Cello and Piano No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38*, No. 2 in F major, Op. 99*; Robert Schumann - Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 129; Ottorino Respighi - Adagio con variazioni for Cello and Orchestra; Ernest Bloch - Schelomo. Rhapsodie Hébra?que for Cello and Orchestra; Jacques Ibert - Concerto for Cello and Wind Instruments; Édouard Lalo - Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in D minor; Bohuslav Martinů - Concertino for Cello, Brass, Piano and Battery, H 143; Duos for Violin and Cello No. 1, H 157, and No. 2, H 371; Sergey Prokofiev - Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 125; Sonata for Cello and Piano in C major, Op. 119; Zoltán Kodály - Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7; Arthur Honegger - Sonatina for Violin and Cello; Louis de Caix d'Hervelois - Suite for Cello and Piano No. 2*; Luigi Boccherini - Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 3 in G major*; Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 3 in A major, Op. 69*; Maurice Ravel - Piéce en forme de Habanera*.

André Navarra - cello, Josef Suk - violin, Alfred Holeček, František Maxián - piano, Czech Philharmonic / Karel Ančerl, Constantin Silvestri. Chamber Harmony / Martin Turnovský

When at the age of 15 André Navarra (1911-1988) completed his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, he ceased taking lessons and set out on his own path, honing his skills on, among other things, Ševčík's virtuoso violin etudes, which he himself arranged for the cello. He drew inspiration from the finest instrumentalists of his time. Victory in the prestigious competition in Vienna (1937) launched his international career as a soloist. Following his debut at the Prague Spring festival in May 1951, he would pay numerous visits to the city - to appear at the festival, to perform opposite the Czech Philharmonic, as well as to record for Supraphon. The present 5-CD pack is the first complete release of the 19 studio albums Navarra made for the label between 1953 and 1966, including some remarkable tracks that have not been previously issued digitally. His collaboration with Karel Ančerl and Josef Suk gave rise to the legendary recording of Brahms's Double Concerto, with the accounts of pieces by Prokofiev, Bloch, Schumann and Respighi made with the Czech Philharmonic under Ančerl being just as impressive and enthralling. In addition to Josef Suk, Navarra worked with the superlative pianists Alfred Holeček and František Maxián. The Supraphon set includes six hours of sensitively remastered recordings, which bear witness to Navarra's artistry, emotional poignancy and spontaneous musicianship; a real treat for those loving the enchanting cello timbres.

André Navarra's Supraphon recordings - for the first time in their entirety, newly remastered. Simply indispensable.