Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 7-9; Smetana: The Moldau

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Rafael Kubelík's complete Dvorák symphony cycle with the Berlin Philharmonic is one of the glories of the DG catalog, and this sampler, containing the three last symphonies at a twofer price, is all but irresistible. There were few conductors more authoritative in this music than Kubelík, and he inspired his players to performances that routinely surpassed the response they gave their regular conductor, Herbert von Karajan. This is essential listening. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Set For Lovers of Czech Repertoire.......2005-08-24

Dvorak's last two symphonies and Smetena's The Moldau were among favorite works of Karajan's wide repertoire.He recorded these works several times...No.8:in 1979 with BP for EMI,in 1985 with WP for DG...No.9:in 1964 with BP,in 1985 with WP for DG and in 1977 with BP for EMI...The Moldau:in 1967 and 1980's with BP,in 1985 with WP for DG,in 1970's with BP for EMI.This two CD consists of his DG recordings:No.8(1985-with WP),No.9(1964-with BP),selected parts from Slavonic Dances(1959-BP),The Moldau(1967-BP),Vysehrad and etc...I have almost all important recordings of these works(Kubelik,Giulini,Munch,Keilberth,great Klemperer & B.Walter,A.Fiedler,Szell,Solti,Ormandy,Kertesz,Maazel,Mackerras, Neumann,Sawallisch,Ancerl,Bernstein,Kondrashin,Dohnanyi,Jansons).Especially No.8 is my favorite interpretation and recording by far.Well- balanced rythmic figures,powerful string parts and blazing trumpets.No conductor(except Giulini)recorded this work such wonderful.No.9(1964)is good (particularly Largo).If you are lover of 'From the New World',this is a must for your collection,if not,you can find better recordings.My favorites for all times:Karajan-1977,BP and 1985,WP;Giulini's Chicago(1970's) and Concertgebouw(1992)recordings;Keilberth-1960's with Bamberg;Arthur Fiedler with Boston for BMG/RCA and Kubelik-1972 with BP.Some listeners don't like Karajan's performings because of more powerful than usual readings.They says:'Dvorak is not Bruckner or Wagner'.This may be true but not exactly.Dvorak's works(particularly Nos.7,8,9) includes structural and orchestral inspirations from Wagner and Bruckner.In short Karajan is always true conductor for Dvorak and Smetana lovers.All his performings in this set are powerful,authoritative,essential and undoubtly romantic!Very good price for two CD.Do not miss.

Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 7-9; Smetana: The Moldau

Average customer rating:

Way above all others...
Outstanding Eighth ; fine Seventh and Ninth.
Great Performances, Great Value of Kubelik & Dvorak
Good Performances, Good Value

Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 7-9; Smetana: The Moldau

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 "Pastorale"

ASIN: B000001GL5
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: 1. Allegro maestoso
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: 2. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: 3. Scherzo. Vivace - poco meno mosso
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor, Op. 70: 4. Finale. Allegro
Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: 1. Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: 2. Adagio
Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: 3. Allegretto gracioso
Symphony No. 8 In G Major, Op. 88: 4. Allegro, ma non troppo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'The New World': 1. Adagio-Allegro molto
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'The New World': 2. Largo
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'The New World': 3. Scherzo. Molto vivace
Symphony No. 9 In E Minor, Op. 95 'The New World': 4. Allegro con fuoco
The Wood Dove, Op. 110
The Moldau: II. The Moldau

Amazon.com

Rafael Kubelík's complete Dvorák symphony cycle with the Berlin Philharmonic is one of the glories of the DG catalog, and this sampler, containing the three last symphonies at a twofer price, is all but irresistible. There were few conductors more authoritative in this music than Kubelík, and he inspired his players to performances that routinely surpassed the response they gave their regular conductor, Herbert von Karajan. This is essential listening. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Way above all others..........2004-06-08

This is a Dvorak cycle which is at once tasteful and powerful. the brass sonorities of the BPO are richly caught...Kubelik was a master in this repetoire.

Outstanding Eighth ; fine Seventh and Ninth........2002-07-12

Dvorak's music contains a great wealth of melodic inventiveness---grand climaxes, nostalgic reflections, panoramic vistas and exquisite instrumental color. Though Rafael Kubelik was, I feel, one of the finest interpreters of this music, he sometimes was not given the best treatment in the DGG recording studio. Here, for example, the horns occasionally border on stridency and could stand a little more fullness. Otherwise, Kubelik's view of the "New World" is a very fine one, though, for me, it does not match sonically and interpretively the classic Kertesz/Vienna Philharmonic version on London/Decca recorded around 1960 (not currently available). That performance should be re-issued and enshrined in the company's Legendary Performance series...In Dvorak's Seventh, Kubelik maintains his usual lyrical approach, though there are some areas in the final movement where I don't care for a few of his interpretive touches. Also, the colorful main theme in that movement could have been presented with a little more brio. Albeit, one of the better Seventh's I've heard. Another fine account, from years past, was Haitink's (Philips/Epic lp) in his first ever recording with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. It is not and, sadly, probably never will be issued on CD. The Concertgebouw has also recorded (Philips CD) Colin Davis in this and the other Dvorak masterworks. I'm sorry, but as good as the orchestral execution and sound quality are of these releases, Davis does little for me in Dvorak because he seems to lack the feel for the Czech idiom. One conductor who had it, aside from Kubelik, was George Szell. For me, his Cleveland performance of the Seventh is the finest available in stereo. But there was another conductor with perhaps more Dvorak in his blood than anyone else. And that was Vaclav Talich. His 1938 account with the Czech Philharmonic (though in mono, and fairly good sound, at that) stands alone. There's loving care expressed in every bar. Moreover, this is no soppy interpretation. The dynamics are certainly there when called for. You can find his account, usually coupled with the Dvorak Eighth, on several different labels. I own the Koch.

Under Kubelik, the Dvorak Eighth is given one of the most thoroughly enjoyable accounts ever recorded. The accents, poetic musings and dynamic contrasts are all on the mark. What an absolutely beautiful interpretation! I have only one very slight criticism. The pace of the last movement might be a little too fast. But I'm not complaining. Another outstanding but better recorded Eighth comes from Istvan Kertesz and the London Symphony. Kertesz's slightly more relaxed pace frequently yields a very attractive lyricism, yet his more resounding moments are also quite impressive. Sir John Barbirolli's late 1950s account (nla, but well worth searching for) is also special. It absolutely brims with affection and endearing detail. Vaclav Talich's wonderful reading from 1935 (with Dvorak's Seventh on the previously mentioned Koch International) combines dynamics, warmth and tunefulness. It too occupies a seat among my aforementioned favorites. Another version, with Bruno Walter and the Columbia Symphony reveals a nice atmospheric presence, though occasionally the sound can be a tad bright. Nonetheless, his performance still ranks highly, as do George Szell's first two recordings, made with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw (in mono) and the Cleveland Orchestra (Sony), though I would place Walter and Szell just below the vanguard of Kubelik, Kertesz, Barbirolli and Talich.

Great Performances, Great Value of Kubelik & Dvorak.......2001-08-30

Those on a budget might seriously consider getting this two CD set of Rafael Kubelik conducting the Berlin Philharmonic, in lieu of the multiple CD set of his entire Dvorak symphony cycle. These are electrifying performances every bit as good as Sir Colin Davis' readings with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Admittedly, the sound quality might not be as splendid as those of recent vintage, yet this is a set worth acquiring. With regards to the quality of the performance, Kubelik's 1960's account is as fine as the latest I have heard from the likes of Abbado and Harnoncourt. This two CD compilation concludes with Kubelik's celebrated version with the Boston Symphony Orchestra of the tone poem Moldau from Smetana's tone poem cycle Ma Vlast.

Good Performances, Good Value.......2000-07-14

Kubelik clearly had a special relationship with these works, as evidenced by the recent reissue of symphonies 7 and 9 with the Vienna Philharmonic from the 1950's in the Decca Legends series, but it is these recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic from the 70's that have become somewhat of a standard by which more recent recordings are judged. All three symphonies are played very well, with judicious choices of tempi and detailed orchestration. The sound is excellent for its time and DG has done a good job with the remastering. And yet, I still go back to the set of these symphonies with the Cleveland Orchestra under Dohnanyi on Decca as my absolute top choice. The sound on the latter rivals any cd I've heard from any source and the readings seem to have a bit more life than Kubelik. The Cleveland versions are also available on a 2 for 1 set from Decca, so either set is a good value. You probably won't be disappointed with either set.

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