This album was originally supposed to be recorded by Jacqueline du Pré with Otto Klemperer, but after only one day of recording the conductor withdrew from it and from the concerts that were planned a few days later. Klemperer was promptly replaced by Sir Adrian Boult for the concerts at the Royal Festival Hall and Boult and du Pré made a complete performance at Abbey Road Studios which was recorded.

As wrote Andrew Keener, who edited and remastered this album for the first release in 1995 (on CD): “Judging by sundry noises (pencils dropping, even talking at one point), Boult’s single take was probably made with the recording light off and it may have been simply a whim to switch on the recorder.” To remedy “the inevitable handful of significant flaws and a missing first bar (caused by a belatedly switched-on recorder)” Keener made a few short patches from the Klemperer takes, and the result is incredible. The full story can be read in the liner notes.

A unique occasion to hear Jacqueline du Pré in a masterpiece for cello music from the 20th century.

Recorded: 6–7 & 9.IV.1968, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Producer: Peter Andry
Balance engineer: Christopher Parker
Edited and digitally remastered at Floating Earth Ltd by Andrew Keener and Mike Hatch from rehearsal tapes
(P) 1995 & Remastered (P) 1995 Parlophone Records