Dvorak: 3 Great Symphonies

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Dvor´k's last three symphonies deserve every ounce of their popularity. Although the Eighth and Ninth are virtually ubiquitous, the greatest by common consent is the Seventh, which the composer wrote in the wake of having heard Brahms's Third Symphony (which was in turn influenced by Dvorák's Fifth). The friendship between Brahms and Dvorák was one of the most interesting artistic relationships in musical history, comparable only to that between Mozart and Haydn. Brahms, for his part, was clearly thinking of Dvorák's Seventh when he wrote his own Fourth Symphony, and actually corrected the publisher's proofs of Dvorák's Ninth when his friend, who was stuck in New York, was unable to. The Cleveland Orchestra has a great tradition of performance in both Brahms and Dvorák, inculcated by the incomparable George Szell, whose recordings of these three symphonies are also available. If you're looking for digital sound, you'll find that Szell's high standards have been admirably maintained by Dohnanyi and the orchestra. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor
Jesu, Joy OF Man's Desiring
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio sostenuto
March Of The Toreadors (Carmen)
Celebrated Minuet
Polovtsian Dance No. 1 (Prince Igor)
Cradle Song
'Minute' Waltz
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune
Largo
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
Rhapsody In Blue - Andante And Finale
Peer Gynt Suite: Morning
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Liebestraum
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March
'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Rondau (First Symphonic Suite)
The Great Gate Of Kiev

Tracks:

Eine klein Nachtmusik - Allegro: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Allegro
Orpheus In The Underworld: Cancan
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
Canon In D
Lietenant Kije Suite - Troika
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - 18th Variation: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini- 18th Variation
Bolero - Conclusion
The Tale Of Czar Sultan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
William Tell Overture - Finale
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Gymnopedie No. 3
Ave Maria
Blue Danube Waltz
Thus Spake Zarathustra - Sunrise
Firebird Suite - Finale
1812 Overture - Finale: 1812 Overtune - Finale
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
Anvil Chorus (II Trovatore)
The Four Seasons - Largo From 'Winter'
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries

Amazon.com

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, played by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) and one Mozart (A Little Night Music conducted by Herbert von Karajan), but this is still a nice collection--perhaps the starting point for a budding collection of classical music. This set's downfall? Unfortunately, though the liner notes discuss the evolution of classical music chronologically, the tracks are programmed in alphabetical order by composer's last name. This makes for some startling transitions! Emil Gilels's reflective performance of the Adagio from Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata is followed by the crashing cymbals and bombast of Carmen's "March of the Toreadors," a recipe for a heart attack if there ever was one. Still, there's something here for everyone and the liner notes even explain what movies this music can be found in. A nice touch. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Waste of money.......2006-01-12

Watch out for the volume leveling mentioned in another review. Surely the compliers could have come up with a better sort order than by composer. The change in tempo/volume between pieces makes it impossible to enjoy. My two CD's ended up in the trash.

Ken

Great Music Compilation.......2005-08-15

This is a great CD full of many songs that you will recognize and enjoy. If you are someone who likes classical music but doesn't necessarily know which songs or which composers you like, then this CD is for you. You will likely recognize many of the songs as the classical songs you would have picked out to be your favorites.

If you like classical music don't buy this CD........2005-03-11

Most of the tracks were chopped down to 3-4 minutes so some of the best parts of the compositions are missing. I don't know what I was thinking trying to buy 40 classical songs on two CD's. If you really want to enjoy the music you would do better to purchase a CD with fewer, but better quality tracks.

A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music.......2005-02-23

In my years of experience teaching Fine Arts to high school students, I know that the majority, if not all, of the music included on this album is commonly used in collge music appreciation courses. This is an excellent sample of truly all the "greatest hits" of classical music. My students enjoy listening to the music and have later told me when take their required music apreciation courses in college that they "already know it all" because of this CD! The recordings are clear, the selections are passionate, and the listener will gain a familiarity with all of the most commonly heard classical music used in tv commercials, movies, etc.
I recommend this album, along with the boxed set, "Age of the Classics" for anyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the most famous staples of classical music.

A great compilation.......2005-02-09

This cd somes up some of the greatest pieces of instrumental (and is some cases choral) music ever written. It is a great starter for a beginning classical music lover or a quick and easy all-in-one for those of us who study classical music for a living. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who wants to love or already does love classical music.

Average customer rating:

The Cleveland Orchestra in very fine form
Plain-spoken to a fault
Very nice recording
Pure Dvorak
Great eighth, Poor Nineth

Dvorak: 3 Great Symphonies

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,
Dvorak: Slavonic Dances
Symphonie Fantastique
Schumann: The 4 Symphonies

ASIN: B0000042EI
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: Allegro maestro - Dvorak
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: Poco Adagio - Dvorak
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: Scherzo: Vivace - Dvorak
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: Finale: Allegro - Dvorak
Symphony no 8 in G major, Op. 70: Allegro con brio - Dvorak
Symphony no 8 in G major, Op. 70: Adagio - Dvorak
Symphony no 8 in G major, Op. 70: Allegretto grazioso - Dvorak
Symphony no 8 in G major, Op. 70: Allegro, ma non troppo - Dvorak

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'From The New World': Adagio - Allegro Molto - Antonin Dvorak
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'From The New World': Largo - Antonin Dvorak
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'From The New World': Scherzo. Molto vivace - Antonin Dvorak
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'From The New World': Allegro con fuoco - Antonin Dvorak
Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66: Scherzo capriccioso - Antonin Dvorak

Amazon.com

Dvor´k's last three symphonies deserve every ounce of their popularity. Although the Eighth and Ninth are virtually ubiquitous, the greatest by common consent is the Seventh, which the composer wrote in the wake of having heard Brahms's Third Symphony (which was in turn influenced by Dvorák's Fifth). The friendship between Brahms and Dvorák was one of the most interesting artistic relationships in musical history, comparable only to that between Mozart and Haydn. Brahms, for his part, was clearly thinking of Dvorák's Seventh when he wrote his own Fourth Symphony, and actually corrected the publisher's proofs of Dvorák's Ninth when his friend, who was stuck in New York, was unable to. The Cleveland Orchestra has a great tradition of performance in both Brahms and Dvorák, inculcated by the incomparable George Szell, whose recordings of these three symphonies are also available. If you're looking for digital sound, you'll find that Szell's high standards have been admirably maintained by Dohnanyi and the orchestra. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

The Cleveland Orchestra in very fine form.......2007-05-02

This morning I downloaded these fine performances as well as the outstanding benchmark Kubelik Dvorak Symphony cycle at Rhapsody. Like Tchaikovsky, Dvorak's last three symphonies rock the house. His 9th reminds me of Tchaikovsky's 5th, though not quite as intense and not as horn laden. Dvorak's last three are much more spirited and intense over his first six. Like Tchaikovsky, we do miss out on some great music if we ignore the earlier works. I listened to the entire Kubilek cycle this morning and had a jolly good time.

While both the Cleveland and Kublik renditions are excellent, the Cleveland gets my nod for being a pretty good DDD recording vs the excellent Kubilek analog, though I would not suffer want from the quality of either. The recording levels seem to be higher and the music just seems to blast better out my speakers with more intensity with the Cleveland set.

There are many more recordings of Dvorak's last three symphonies than his first six. This is a shame! I was very pleased with the recordngs by Kubelik of symphonies 1 to 6 and can enjoy them along with my complete Valcav Neumann cycle that I have on vinyl.

I have on vinyl gatefold lp the Cleveland Orchestra's Dvorak Slavonic Dances directed by Szell. These must date possibly to the late 50s. I have nearly worn them out they are that good. It is nice to see that the Cleveland Orchestra has not let its guard down since Mr. Szell passed away in 1970 and has maintained their world class orchestral status.

As Nixon often said, "let me make this perfectly clear," the recrordings of these three symphonies by the Cleveland Orchestra are very strong 5 star performances!

Plain-spoken to a fault.......2007-02-20

Dohnanyi produced a decade's worth of recordings from Cleveland that were technically impeccable and yet almost faceless. In concert he can be an estimable and even exciting condcutor, but you'd never know it from these plain-spoken Dvorak symphonies. All Czech color has been drained; in fact, these are the most bleached Dvorak readings I've ever heard. The opening Allegros are disspiriting, the slow movements cautious, the scherzos totally devoid of earthy folk rhythems, the finales underwhelming instead of thrilling. Usually it's not fair to characterize a major artist's work wth such sweeping generalizations, but I must confess that I can't bring myself to describe any of the symphonies in detail. Apparently there are listeners who admire them. I couldn't value them except as a sleeping aid.

Very nice recording.......2006-03-13

This is a very nice recording of these symphonies. I had been trying to find all three together for a while, and I was so happy when I found this. I would highly reccommend it to anyone who enjoys Dvorak.

Pure Dvorak.......2004-12-20

After having listened to these interpretations of Dvorak's most famous symphonies, I can't go back to my old ones anymore. Granted, I'm a big fan of Dohnanyi's "straightforward approach," but it really does prove to be the right way to go here. I'm particularly taken with the Ninth, which many conductors take ridiculous liberties with to try to give it their seal of individuality. Dohnanyi correctly realizes that the individuality is already inherent the music and blazes straight ahead, and the results are fantastic--much like the classic Szell recording, but with even more fire. Try to find another recording of the Ninth whose outer movements are as drivingly vehement as these--or whose Largo movement is such a smooth, lyrical whisper. In contrast, the Eighth is exuberant all the way through, and the Seventh is as moody and poetic as it needs to be--although again, Dohnanyi distinguishes himself by not allowing the symphony to slip into either melodrama or hysteria, two easy pitfalls. There's a lot of competition out there for all three of these symphonies, so on some level the choice comes down to personal preference--but I guarantee you can't go wrong with these. Buy this set if you're tired of odd tempo and dynamic variations and you just want to hear pure Dvorak, played with meticulous precision and unquenchable energy. That's what you'll get.

Great eighth, Poor Nineth.......2004-03-07

The performance of the eighth is great, but the one on nineth is among the worst presentation. The ryhthem, speed variation all got wrong. Too hasty for the 1st movement (about 1 minute shorter than many versions of other conductors) and too slow
somewhere else.

By comparison, Abaddo's version is not good either with overplayed 1st movement. Karajan's version is better but still
far from great, with 2nd movement played too slow. Bernstein's
version is OK but not great.

Tracks:

Adagio
Air on the G String: Air on the G String, Excerpt
Brandenburg Concerto: Third Movement, Excerpt
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Excerpt
Tocatta & Fugue: Excerpt
Adagio for Strings: Excerpt
Synphony No. 5: First Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9: Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Fse: Excerpt
Turkish March: Turkish March, Excerpt
Moonlight Sonata: Excerpt
Symphonie Fantastique: March Ot the Scaffold, Excerpt
Damnation of Faust: Excerpt
Carmen - Habanera: Habanera, Excerpt
Toreador Song [From Carmen]
Minuet: Minuet, Excerpt
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dance No 17, Excerpt
Hungarian Dance No. 5: No 5, Excerpt
Lullaby: No 4, Lullaby, Excerpt
"Minute" Waltz: Excerpt
Grande Valse Brillante: Excerpt
Marche Fune: Marche Fune
Appalachian Spring: Excerpt
Fanfare for the Common Man: Excerpt
Clair de Lune: Excerpt
Prelude to the Afternoon: Excerpt
Lakm Flower Duet: Flower Duet, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9 "New World": Second Movement, "Going Home" Theme, ...
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Excerpt
Pomp & Circumstance: Excerpt
El Amor Brujo
Pavane: Excerpt
Rhapsody in Blue: Excerpt
American in Paris: Excerpt
Funeral March of Marionette: Excerpt
Piano Concerto in a Minor: Excerpt
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Morning: Morning, Excerpt
Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus: Hallelujah Chorus, Excerpt
Water Music - Hornpipe: Hornpipe, Excerpt
Symphony No. 94 "Surprise": Second Movement, Excerpt
The Planets - Mars: Mars, Excerpt
Sabre Dance: Sabre Dance, Excerpt
Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba, Excerpt
Hungarian Rhapsody
Liebestraum No. 3: No 3, Excerpt
Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo: Intermezzo, Excerpt
Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March: Wedding March, Excerpt
Symphony No. 4 "Italian": Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Rondeau: No 1, Rondeau
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, Excerpt
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement, Excerpt
The Marriage of Figaro - Overture: Overture, Excerpt
Sonata in A - Rondo Alla Turca: Rondo Alla Turca, Excerpt
Symphony No. 40: First Movement, Excerpt
Night on Bald Mountain: Excerpt
Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Cave of Kiev: Great Gate of ...
Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Excerpt
Orpheus in Hades - Theme II: Excerpt (Theme)
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna: O Fortuna, Excerpt
Canon: Canon, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Montagues & Capulets: Montagues & Capulets, Excerpt
Lt. Kije's Wedding: Lt. Kije's Wedding, Excerpt
Turandot - Nessun Dorma: Nessun Dorma, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 2: Second Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 2: Third Movement, Opening, Excerpt
Rhapsody on a Theme: Variation 18, Excerpt
Bolero
Flight of the Bumblebee
Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio: Adagio, Excerpt
The Barber of Seville - Overture: Excerpt
The Barber of Sville - Largo Al Factotum: Largo Al Factotum, Excerpt
William Tell Overture - Theme II: Excerpt
Danse Macabre: Excerpt
Gymnope No. 1
Symphony N0. 8 "Unfinished": Excerpt
Ave Maria: Excerpt
Finlandia [Finale: Finale, Excerpt]
Valse Triste: No 1, Valse Triste, Excerpt
Stars & Stripes Forever: Excerpt
Semper Fidelis: Excerpt
Blue Danube Waltz: Excerpt
Tales from the Vienna Woods: Excerpt
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare, Excerpt
Firebird - Infernal Dance & Main Theme: Infernal Dance & Main ...
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers: Waltz of the Flowers, Excerpt
Swan Lake - Waltz: Waltz, Excerpt
Sleeping Beauty -: Waltz, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Theme II: Theme LL, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 1 - Opening: Opening, Excerpt
1812 Overture - Finale: Finale, Excerpt
Fantasia on "Greensleeves": Excerpt
Alda - Grand March: Grand March, Excerpt
Il Trovatore - Anvil Chorus: Anvil Chorus, Excerpt
Requiem - Dies Irae: Dies Irae, Excerpt
Rigoletto - La Donna Mobile: La Donna Mobile, Excerpt
The Four Seasons "Spring" - Allegro: Allegro, Excerpt
The Four Season "Winter" - Largo: Largo, Excerpt
Lohengrin - Bridal Chorus: Bridal Chorus, Excerpt
Die WalkRide of the Valkyries: Ride of the Valkyries, Excerpt

Customer Reviews:

I can name that tune in three notes.......2005-02-19

My family likes to put this disc in on shuffle and play name that tune. I wish they made more discs like this, only with more obscure works.

A Fabulous CD.......2004-10-14

The Idiot's Guide to Calssical Music is an awesome Cd for those people who want to have a tiny sample of all the great classical compositions. Track 61 and 63 are my favorite.

Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!.......2002-03-20

Yes, this CD really does have 99 tracks. How do they do it? Each is about a minuet long. Some are longer, some are shorter, but you get the micro-essential moments of the music.

If you like burning your own CDs, then this is a great source for intra-track fillers, along the lines of They Might Be Giants' "Apollo 18" album, which has all of those short tracks on the end. The idea is to put your CD player on shuffle, so the short tracks get mixed in with the bona fide songs. The result being a very unusual album.

The booklet gives an explanation of the track, where you heard it (i.e. the Warner Brother's Cartoons, or on famous films), and where you can get the full piece of music. So it's a mega sampler CD.

I can honestly say that this CD is a great gift for the friend who has everything.

Fun Sampler.......2001-11-09

For the beginner. You will be surprised at how many of the 99 themes you recognize here. It is an easy introduction to classical music. Nice booklet too.

Useful........1999-03-22

Take it for what it is, a clever and useful GUIDE to classical music. No, it is NOT an uncut rendition of Beethoven's 9th symphony. It IS a cd that will jog your memory. You have heard many of the tunes presented here, but not always knowing what the work was. This is your chance to catch up with all the great classical music you have been exposed to. Cheap too.

Average customer rating:

It's only snippets of the music!

Classical Music 101

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002XEECK
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Adagio - Baroque Chamber Orchestra
Air On The G String - Festival Strings Lucerne
Mvmt. III - Festival Strings Lucerne
Aria - Peter Serkin
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Norman Luboff Choir
Toccata & Fugue In D Minor - Philadelphia Orchestra
Adagio For Strings - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Mvmt. I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Mvmt. IV - New York Philharmonic
Fur Elise - Nellie Kokinos
Turkish March - Arthur Fiedler
'Moonlight' Sonata - Jorg Demus
March To The Scaffold - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Rakoczy March - Arthur Fiedler
Habanera/Toreador Song - Arthur Fiedler
Minuet - Arthur Fiedler
Polovtsian Dance No.17 - Arthur Fiedler
Hungarian Dance No.5 - London Festival Orchestra
Lullaby - Arthur Fiedler
Minute Waltz - Geza Anda
Grande Valse Brillante - Geza Anda
Marche Funebre - Emanuel Ax
Simple Gifts - Copland
Fanfare For The Common Man - Philadelphia Orchestra
Clair De Lune - Arthur Fiedler
Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun - Philadelphia Orchestra
Flower Duet - Philharmonia Virtuosi
Mvmt II. Going Home Theme - Arthur Fiedler
The Sorcerer's apprentice - Philadelphia Orchestra
March No.1 - Arthur Fiedler
Ritual Fire Dance - Arthur Fiedler
Pavane - National Philharmonic
Rhapsody In Blue - Arthur Fiedler
An American In Paris - Arthur Fiedler
Funeral March Of A Marionette - Arthur Fiedler
Piano Concerto In A Minor - Kjel Baekkelund
Morning - Philadelphia Orchestra
Hallelujah Chorus - Royal Philharmonic Chorus
Alla Hornpipe - Festival Strings Lucerne
Mvmt. II - English Chamber Orchestra
Mars - Philadelphia Orchestra
Sabre Dance - Arthur Fiedler
Vesti La Giubba - Placido Domingo
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 - Philadelphia Orchestra
Liebestraum No.3 - Arthur Fiedler
Intermezzo - National Philharmonic
Wedding March - Philadelphia Orchestra
Mvmt. IV - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Rondeau - U.K. Symphony
Andante - Geza Anda
Mvmt. I - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Overture - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Rondo Alla Turca - Walter Hautzig
Mvmt. I - English Chamber Orchestra
A Night On Bald Mountain - Philadelphia Orchestra
Great Gate Of Kiev - Philadelphia Orchestra
Barcarolle - Arthur Fiedler
Theme II (Can Can) - Arthur Fiedler
O Fortuna - New England Conservatory Chorus
Canon - Baroque Chamber Orchestra
Montagues & Capulets - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Lt. Kije's Wedding - Arthur Fiedler
Nessun Dorma - Jussi Bjorling
Mvmt. III - Rome Opera Chorus
Mvmt. III. Opening - London Symphony Orchestra
Var. 18 - Leonard Pennario
Bolero - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Flight Of The Bumblebee - Arthur Fiedler
Adagio - Julian Beam
Overture/Largo Al Factotum - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Theme II - Arthur Fiedler
Danse Macabre - Philadelphia Orchestra
Gymnopedie No.1 - National Philharmonic
Symphony No.8 'Unfinished' - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Ave Maria - Robert Shaw Chorale
Finle - Morton Gould & His Orchestra
Valse Triste - Finnish Radio Orchestra
Stars & Stripes Forever - Arthur Fiedler
Semper Fidelis - Arthur Fiedler
Blue Danube Waltz - Arthur Fiedler
Tales From The Vienna Woods - Arthur Fiedler
Fanfare - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Infernal Dance & Main Theme - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Waltz Of The Flowers - Arthur Fiedler
Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
Theme II - Philadelphia Orchestra
Opening - Barry Douglas
Finale - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Fantasia On Greensleeves - Philadelphia Orchestra
Grand March - Arthur Fiedler
Anvil Chorus - Rome Opera Chorus
Libiamo (Drinking Song) - Carlo Bergonzi
Die Irae - Chicago Symphony Chorus
Rigoletto - Placido Domingo
Allegro - Jose-Luis Garcia
Largo - Jose-Luis Garcia
Bridal Chorus - Robert Shaw Chorale
Ride Of The Valkyries - Philadelphia Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

It's only snippets of the music!.......2006-02-12

This CD only contains 30-60 second long snippets of each of the pieces. It could be a teaching tool but is not something you can just put on to listen. It does contain reference to popular TV and Film works that contain the music.

Arturo Toscanini: Great Symphonies, Vol. 6

Average customer rating:

Classical and Romantic symphonies
A fair portrait of the Maestro in familiar territory
Why did it take so long?

Arturo Toscanini: Great Symphonies, Vol. 6

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Arturo Toscanini: The Complete Philadelphia Orchestra Recordings 1941-42

ASIN: B00000JPCG
Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K.550: Allegro Molto
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K.550: Andante
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K.550: Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K.550: Finale: Allegro Assai
Symphony No.94 In G Major: Surprise: Adagio - Vivace Assai
Symphony No.94 In G Major: Surprise: Andante
Symphony No.94 In G Major: Surprise: Menuetto: Allegro Molto - Trio
Symphony No.94 In G Major: Surprise: Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Symphony In D Major: Largo - Allegro
Symphony In D Major: Larghetto Cantabile
Symphony In D Major: Menuetto: Allegro Non Tanto
Symphony In D Major: Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op.97: Rheinische: Lebhaft
Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op.97: Rheinische: Scherzo: Sehr Massig
Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op.97: Rheinische: Nicht Schnell
Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op.97: Rheinische: Feierlich
Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op.97: Rheinische: Lebhaft
Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95: From The New World: Adagio - Allegro Molto
Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95: From The New World: Largo
Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95: From The New World: Scherzo: Molto Vivace
Symphony No.9 In E Minor, Op.95: From The New World: Allegro Con Fuoco

Customer Reviews:

Classical and Romantic symphonies.......2006-01-24

There's no question that the bulk of Arturo Toscanini's repertoire came from the Classical and Romantic eras. Here is a compilation of several outstanding symphonies that Toscanini conducted during his long career, taken from remarkable RCA Victor recordings of the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

The haunting, sometimes tragic side of Mozart's elusive 40th symphony did not escape Toscanini. It was easy to dismiss much of Mozart's work as "lightweight" or even frivolous, in the light of the major steps taken by composers in the nineteenth century. Perhaps music-lovers were spoiled by the greater drama, power, and innovation of Beethoven. Yet Toscanini recognized that there ARE numerous times in Mozart's music where this brilliant genius wrote profoundly dramatic and serious tunes. The 40th symphony, in particular, is filled with hints that the composer recognized that not everything was wonderful; anyone who has seen the movie "Amadeus" or read the true accounts of the composer's life will recognize that life was a great struggle for Mozart, despite his fame and successes and it wasn't just because Mozart couldn't manage his money. Nevertheless, this performance of the familiar Mozart symphony, one of the last three he composed (during the summer of 1788), is absolutely inspired and exciting.

Toscanini recognized the true genius in Mozart and saw that Haydn was more human and possibly more approachable. Haydn was also closer to Beethoven, certainly through their teacher-student relationship and Beethoven's own continued devotion to Haydn, as demonstrated at the performance of the oratorio "The Creation," near the end of Haydn's life, when Beethoven bowed and kissed Haydn's hand! The so-called "surprise" symphony, one of 12 written for performances in London in the 1790's, is given its full due in this performance. This is Haydn at his best and Toscanini's interpretation is among the best, even if some may complain it is not up to the standards of today's "original instruments" performances.

Luigi Cherubini's "Symphony in D" is rarely performed or recorded anymore. It's really unfortunate that such an enjoyable work is neglected. Certainly Toscanini's recording brings out the best in this dramatic work that so points toward the development of Romanticism. It is much in the spirit of Schubert and Beethoven, one of the rare Italian symphonies that really makes one wish Cherubini or one of the other Italian composers better known for operas had written more purely orchestral works. One can also enjoy Toscanini's performances of the overtures to some of the Cherubini operas, particularly "Medea"; these are also quite good and available elsewhere.

Robert Schumann's third symphony, called "The Rhenish," is a curious five-movement work that is given a thoroughly enjoyable performance by the NBC Symphony in this recording, taken from a 1949 broadcast concert in Studio 8-H. This writer first heard the recording in one of the imported European pressings on vinyl and was amazed at the powerful playing, beginning with the first movement with its remarkably precise and exciting playing. There's even Toscanini's familiar humming as he became so involved in performance! The deeply moving section depicting the cathedral in Cologne is filled with awe and deep feeling. This sets the stage for the triumphant finale. Once again, the overall performance sets the standard for performances of this symphony.

Finally, there is the amazing 1953 recording of Dvorak's ninth symphony, which was, of course, considered his fifth for many years, until his earlier, first four symphonies were finally published, performed, and recorded. This Carnegie Hall performance is about as powerful as any recorded. One marvels at the fact that Toscanini turned 86 years old the year this recording was made. All of the beloved melodies, wholly original (Dvorak insisted) but inspired by Negro spirituals and Indian chants, are played with great feeling. This is clearly a performance to treasure.

The overall collection is a good representation of the variety of symphonies, other than the Beethvoen and Brahms, that were part of Toscanini's standard repertoire.

A fair portrait of the Maestro in familiar territory.......2005-12-07

In the 78 era Toscanini set the standard for almost every classical composer, each put through his trademark precision drill. Especially in America, where Toscanini devoted decades to the Met, the NY Phil, and the NBC Sym., only Stokowski had a fraction of his public renown and none of the reverence accorded Toscanini. Here we get him in a range of standard works: the Mozart 40th, Haydn "Surprise" Sym. 94, Schumann "Rhenish," Dvorak "New World," and the now forgotten Cherubini Sym. in D, a personal favorite.

None sounds very different from the others. Toscanini always avoided excessive underlining in romantic works and mincing refinement in classical ones. He kept strict time, though with a breath of relaxation so as not to sound like a martinet. To a generation thrilled by precision and dash, these were benchmark performances. I don't think they've worn particularly well, though. The Mozart and Haydn contain more charm than I remembered, nad the newly remastered sound is gratifying after decades of horrible transfers, but if you didn't know that this was Toscanini, how much character can really be detected? Four stars for great memories of a historic maestro.

Why did it take so long?.......2000-08-15

I have been collecting and/or listening to Arturo Toscanini's recordings since 1967, and they have NEVER sounded this good. Indeed, I challenge you to play this pressing of the Haydn #94 for someone and ask them to guess when it was recorded. The sound is so good that they will probably guess the early '60s.

But here the quandary: Why did it take RCA Victor nearly a half-century to "decompress" Toscanini's recordings and make them sound almost lifelike? I mean, look at it this way: with the advent of modern tape recorders, digital technology, etc., they should have been able to make them sound this good during their first reissues of the early 1990s. Granted, all of those CDs at least sounded full and solid rather than thin and shrill, but you were still presented with what I call a "two-dimensional orchestra," one in which allthesectionswerecongestedtogetherlikethis. The result was a muddy wall of sound that still didn't sound entirely real.

As for the performances: this Mozart 40th is epic, with a tragic grandeur missing from most performances. The Haydn 94th may not be Urtext, but it is beautifully played and fun to listen to. The Cherubini is a lightweight piece, yet still better than Schumann's 4th Symphony or Brahms' 3rd. The Schumann 3rd is absolutely thrilling, and the Dvorak 9th is still (to me) the best performance of this symphony ever recorded. Here, Toscanini minimized the "folksy" quality of the music in favor of a leaner, more Tchaikovskian reading, and the result is deeply moving as well as having great forward momentum.

Tracks:

Le Rondeau ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Canon in D
Allegro from 'The Spring' from 'The Four Seasons'
Alla Hornpipe from 'Water Music'
Air for the 'G' String
Allegro from 'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 5
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from 'Solomon'
Largo from 'Xerxes'
Minuet and Badinerie from Orchestral Suite No. 2
Adagio
Vivace from Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra, 'Double'
(Allegro) from 'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3
La Rejouissance: Allegro from 'Royal Fireworks Music'
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Largo ma non tanto from Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra, 'Double'
Hallelujah! from 'Messiah'

Tracks:

Allegro con brio from Symphony No. 5
Allegro from 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'
Andante ('Elvira Madigan' Theme) from Piano Concerto No. 21
Adagio sostenuto from 'Moonlight' Sonata
Molto allegro from Symphony No. 40
Overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro'
Adagio; Allegro from Symphony No. 104, 'London'
Overture to 'Egmont'
Fur Elise
Allegro from Symphony No. 5
Minuet from String Quartet in E major, Op. 13, No. 5
Finale from Symphony No. 9, 'Choral'

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1: Introduction
'Pictures at an Exhibition': Promenade
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Introduction
'The Valkyrie': Ride of the Valkyries
'Peer Gynt': Dawn
'Carmen': Habanera
Slavonic Dance No. 1
Entry of the Gladiators
'Also sprach Zarathustra': Introduction
Excerpt from 'On the Beautiful Blue Danube'
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
'The Nutcracker': Waltz of the Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale
'Lohengrin': Prelude
Violin Concerto: Allegretto non troppo; Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
24 Preludes, Op. 28:: No. 4 in E Minor
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No.7 in A Major
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 20 in C Minor
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Bolero
Pavan for a Dead Princess
'La Mer' ('The Sea'): From Dawn Until Noon on the Sea
Fanfare for the Common Man
'Appalachian Spring': Variations on a Shaker Dance
'Candide': Overture
Highlight from 'Rhapsody in Blue'
'Gayane': Sabre Dance
Adagio for Strings
'Carmina Burana': Introduction
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika
'The Firebird': Finale

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2005-11-29

I bought this cd set years ago and they're still my favorite cds. Each cd follows a genre (baroque, classical, romantic, or modern and impressionist) and gives a great sampling of some of the strongest pieces in that genre. I don't know what I'd do without these cds.

Great Symphonies: The Highlights (Box Set)

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Great Symphonies: The Highlights (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Dvorak The 3 Great Symphonies. Symphonies 7, 8 & 9 from the New World Scherzo Capriccioso. The Cleveland Orchestra. Christoph Von Dohnanyi

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Dvorak The 3 Great Symphonies. Symphonies 7, 8 & 9 from the New World Scherzo Capriccioso. The Cleveland Orchestra. Christoph Von Dohnanyi

Manufacturer: Musical Heritage Society
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000F58V8I

Product Description

CD 1 THE THREE GREAT SYMPHONIES CD 1 Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70 q. I. Allegro maestoso 2. Poco adagio 3. Scherzo: Vivance 4. Finale: Allegro Symphony No. 8 in G Mahor, Op. 88 5. Allegro con brio 6. Adagio 7. Allegretto grazioso 8. Allegro, ma non troppo CD 2. Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 1. Adagio; allegro molto 2. Largo 3. Scherzo: Molto vivace 4. Alllegro con fuoco 5. Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66.