Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody no 2

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is the finest performance of the complete Hungarian Dances. Antal Dorati, a Hungarian himself and a specialist in dance music, handles each of these jewels with just the right combination of rhythmic control and schmaltz. Brahms orchestrated only a few of them; the remainder were done by friends (Dvorák included) or commissioned by various music publishers to fill out the complete set. In this respect, they are less substantial than Dvorák's two sets of Slavonic Dances, which they in turn inspired. If you know only No. 5, or perhaps No. 1, then you owe it to yourself to hear this delightful collection. --David Hurwitz

Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody no 2, Music, Johannes Brahms, George Enescu, Antal Dorati, Harold Lawrence, London Symphony Orchestra, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Orchestral Music, Romantic Variations for Orchestra
Liszt & Enesco Rhapsodies No. 1
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • sonic and musical spectacular!
  • Dance for days!!
  • Dorati In His Prime
  • Dorati In His Prime
 Liszt & Enesco Rhapsodies No. 1

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by LisztAll Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody no 2
  2. Paul Paray Conducts Dances of Death
  3. Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete Ballet); Fireworks; Song of the Nightingale
  4. Chabrier: España, rhapsody; Bourrée fantasque
  5. Bizet: Carmen Suite; Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2; Thomas: Mignon & Raymond Overtures

ASIN: B0000057KX
Release Date: 1991-05-10

Tracks:

  1. Roumanian Rhapsody No. 1, Op. 1
  2. Hungarian Rhapsody No.1 In F Minor
  3. Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 In D Minor
  4. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 3 In D Major
  5. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 4 In D Minor
  6. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 5 In E Minor
  7. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 In D Major

Amazon.com

The most famous Hungarian Rhapsody is No. 2--the one that had Bugs Bunny chasing a mouse up and down the keyboard of his piano. However, if you like No. 2, you'll like the rest of them. There are about 16 in all, but only these six also exist in orchestral versions, and they sound very different from the piano originals. Antal Dorati is simply unbeatable in music like this: he keeps everything moving in an exciting fashion, gets a disciplined response from the orchestra, and knows the music like the back of his hand. Mercury's recording is close-up and colorful, much like the music itself. This is pure fun, no more, no less. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars sonic and musical spectacular!.......2005-08-20

This must have been one of the most spectacular recordings of the early stereo period, when they were striving for effect. I don't know enough to say whether the orchestration is authentic, but the record is worth the price for the cembalom sounds alone. A friend listened to it with me and remembered getting the Second Rhapsody as a promotion as a child. It started him on a life-long love of classical music. I too remember the cover, but my entry-point was probably Offenbach and Suppe. Anybody out there remember a 78 of Suppe's Fatinitza, backed by Toselli's Rimpianto? The madeleine of music. John Keane

5 out of 5 stars Dance for days!!.......2002-10-23

These rhapsodies bubble over with foot-tapping dance rhythms, contagiously jovial melodies, sensuous gypsy tunes, and an incredible endless array of striking ORCHESTRAL COLOR. Liszt's flair for such intense and specific coloration with his piquant harmonies and orchestration make these pieces irresitable in the hands of ANY conductor.

However, in Dorati's hands, a ballet master, the dance truly lives in every bar. Muscular, controlled, yet allowing for the written-in zany-ness inherent in each rhapsody. Also, again his gutty strings coupled with Mercury's "front-row-seat" sound really make for thrilling experiences. (as in the opening bars of number 4 on the disc: WOW!)

Those who buy this CD for the popular Rhapsody 2 (from Tom and Jerry and other various cartoons) will be delighted to know that you will soon fall in love with EVERY rhapsody on here. They all have their own unique character, but are comprised of those same essential elements of anything so purely likable and fun. The Enesco Rhapsody which begins the CD is another one which I am thankful to be introduced to- poignant, tender, and later racous and brutishly energetic.

You will not be displeased with this. Beware the contagious nature though, you may find yourself singing and dancing to these on the inside all day!

5 out of 5 stars Dorati In His Prime.......2000-12-02

When I want a CD to play for friends who are non-classical, I pick this one. What fun! Dorati is indeed in his element with this music, particularly the Enescu work. This is music accessible to people of all musical persuasions.

Of course, the Living Presence technique of recording only enhances the beauty of Dorati's performance. Convincing argument for the analog crowd!

5 out of 5 stars Dorati In His Prime.......2000-12-02

When I want a CD to play for friends who are non-classical, I pick this one. What fun! Dorati is indeed in his element with this music, particularly the Enescu work. This is music accessible to people of all musical persuasions.

Of course, the Living Presence technique of recording only enhances the beauty of Dorati's performance. Convincing argument for the analog crowd!
Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody no 2
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Surprisingly ordinary in every way
  • A real winner
  • There may be a better recording out there....
  • Orchestrally excellent, excitingly up-tempo performances
 Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody no 2

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Liszt & Enesco Rhapsodies No. 1
  2. Paul Paray Conducts Dances of Death
  3. George Enescu: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1; Suites 2 & 3
  4. Bizet: Carmen Suite; Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2; Thomas: Mignon & Raymond Overtures
  5. Romantic Walk Through Romanian Music

ASIN: B0000057LY
Release Date: 1993-02-16

Tracks:

  1. Roumanian Rhapsody No. 2 In D Major, Op. 11
  2. Hungarian Dances: No. 5 In G Minor
  3. Hungarian Dances: No. 6 In D Major
  4. Hungarian Dances: No. 7 In A Major
  5. Hungarian Dances: No. 21 In E Minor
  6. Hungarian Dances: No. 11 In D Minor
  7. Hungarian Dances: No. 2 In D Minor
  8. Hungarian Dances: No. 1 In G Minor
  9. Hungarian Dances: No. 10 In F Major
  10. Hungarian Dances: No. 3 In F Major
  11. Hungarian Dances: No. 18 In D Major
  12. Hungarian Dances: No. 17 In F Sharp Minor
  13. Hungarian Dances: No. 19 In B Minor
  14. Hungarian Dances: No. 20 In E Minor
  15. Hungarian Dances: No. 12 In D Minor
  16. Hungarian Dances: No. 15 In B Flat Major
  17. Hungarian Dances: No. 4 In F Sharp Minor
  18. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Chorale: St. Antoni
  19. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation I: Poco piu animato
  20. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation II. Piu vivace
  21. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation III: Con moto
  22. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation IV: Andante con moto
  23. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation V: Vivace
  24. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation VI: Vivace
  25. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation VII: Grazioso
  26. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Variation VIII: Presto non troppo
  27. Variations On A Theme By Joseph Haydn Op. 56a: Finale (Andante)

Amazon.com

This is the finest performance of the complete Hungarian Dances. Antal Dorati, a Hungarian himself and a specialist in dance music, handles each of these jewels with just the right combination of rhythmic control and schmaltz. Brahms orchestrated only a few of them; the remainder were done by friends (Dvorák included) or commissioned by various music publishers to fill out the complete set. In this respect, they are less substantial than Dvorák's two sets of Slavonic Dances, which they in turn inspired. If you know only No. 5, or perhaps No. 1, then you owe it to yourself to hear this delightful collection. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Surprisingly ordinary in every way.......2007-05-22

"Legendary" recordings often have a self-sustaining reputation, and that seems to be the case here. Dorati was a second-tier conductor who had his heyday with Mercury Living Presence, thanks to their advanced stereo sonics in the late Fifties and early Sixties. He was definitely at his strongest in ballet (which David Hurwitz calls "dance music"), but even though we get springy rhythms here, the recorded sound is thin and lacks body, while Dorati's readings are basically zippy run-throughs. There's a lot more to Brahms's Hungarian Dances than meets the ear on this CD. I can see why critics find Karajan too polished and Abbado tepid, but Kubelik, for one, gets more out of these dances in his classic DG set. Also consider Ivan Fischer on Philips, a reading with more elan than Dorati and in much better sound.

5 out of 5 stars A real winner.......2002-06-16

In listening to this CD, I am amazed how crystal clear and dazzling the sound is, in spite of the fact that some of these recorings date from as far back as 1957 (the others are from 1960 and 1965). Kudos to recording engineer C. R. Fine. Dorati is obviously enjoying himself immensely in this music. In particular, he milks the Roumanian Rhapsody #2 for all it's worth. A must-have disc.

5 out of 5 stars There may be a better recording out there...........2001-06-13

But I don't know what it is, and I own several of the Hungarian Dances. Dorati had a special affinity for the Hungarian Dances which was noted throughout his career, and it shows. The London Symphony is able to move from classically elegant to extremely folksy in the course of two measures, and the use of rubato throughout all of the dances is extraordinary (I can't imagine how one could follow a conductor so well.)

The Enescu 2nd Rhapsody is an extra treat -- one usually only hears the 1st.

The early 1960s "Living Presence" sound is not as atmospheric as one often hears these days, but conveys the immediacy of the music extremely well.

And all of this at a reasonable price, too!

5 out of 5 stars Orchestrally excellent, excitingly up-tempo performances.......2000-09-18

This conductor gives one the sense, after listening to many of his recordings, that he has that special ability to energize a score. I bought the Mercury Golden Imports LP of these performances knowing I was in for a thrilling ride and I wasn't disappointed. It seemed like ages before the CD finally appeared and it really is one to treasure. Dorati knew that if one were to play this music it should be played for all it is worth. A really fun CD that proves one doesn't have to pay full price to get the best.

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