Without a doubt, Dvořák’s melodious cello concerto numbers among the most popular of its kind. It is hard to imagine that the Musical Times harboured little hope that it would remain in the repertoire after the London premiere!

Written in the winter of 1894/95 while the composer was still in America, the work underwent several revisions, particularly in the solo part, in the spring and summer of 1895 following Dvořák’s return to Bohemia. His cellist friend Hanuš Wihan provided expert support,...