Dvorak: Symphony No. 5/Carnival Overture/American Flag

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is a very interesting compilation. Andrew Davis turns in a sprightly performance of the perennially fresh Fifth Symphony, but the real novelty is the reissue of the cantata The American Flag, which Dvorák wrote in honor of his taking up the position of director of the American Conservatory in New York. It's an entertaining occasional piece and this is its only recording. At budget price, this is a terrific deal. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

'Carnival' Overture in A Major, Op.92: Allegro - Andante con moto - Allegro - Poco piu mosso
Symphony No. 5 in F Major, Op.76: I. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 5 in F Major, Op.76: II. Andante con moto
Symphony No. 5 in F Major, Op.76: III. Scherzo. Allegro scherzando
Symphony No. 5 in F Major, Op.76: IV. Finale. Allegro molto
The American Flag, Op.102: I. The Colors Of The Flag
The American Flag, Op.102: II. First Hymn To The Eagle
The American Flag, Op.102: III. Second Hymn To The Eagle
The American Flag, Op.102: IV. Orchestral Interlude: March
The American Flag, Op.102: V. First Address To The Flag (The Foot-Soldier)
The American Flag, Op.102: VI. Second Address To The Flag (The Cavalryman)
The American Flag, Op.102: VII. Third Address To The Flag (The Sailor)
The American Flag, Op.102: VIII. Apotheosis (Prophetic)

Amazon.com

This is a very interesting compilation. Andrew Davis turns in a sprightly performance of the perennially fresh Fifth Symphony, but the real novelty is the reissue of the cantata The American Flag, which Dvorák wrote in honor of his taking up the position of director of the American Conservatory in New York. It's an entertaining occasional piece and this is its only recording. At budget price, this is a terrific deal. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great Dvorak, by Jingo!.......2004-02-13

While it takes up less than a third of the time on this generously filled CD, Dvorak's "American Flag" is more than worth the price of admission--especially in so delicious a reading as that afforded by Michael Tilson Thomas and company. As part of his duties at the National Conservatory of Music in New York, Dvorak was roped into composing a cantata based on a jingoistic poem about the Star Spangled You-Know-What written early in the 19th century by Joseph Rodman Drake. Apparently, Dvorak was a bit queasy about the project, fiddling with the score even after it was published in 1895.

Like all occasional pieces, it may not have moved him to write another "Te Deum" (and if you don't know this marvelous work of Dvorak, get to know it right away!), but "The American Flag" is nonetheless a work of great charm, full of those big-hearted melodies the Czech composer is so famous for. There are stirring choruses, a wonderfully schmaltzy obbligato part for the harp, a fine little military march, and "addresses" to the flag issued by the tenor and baritone soloists portraying American military men. Plus a razzle-dazzle "apotheosis" complete with a bumptious coda that will remind folks of a certain age of the old J-E-L-L-O jingle! Wait till you hear the jolly, galloping solo Dvorak pens for the cavalry man--jolly despite its blood-thirsty paean to "gory sabres" like "shoots of flame on midnight's pall." By turns naïve and heartfelt, as with some of Dvorak's best music, "The American Flag" is wonderfully entertaining, and the singers have great fun with their solos. Michael Tilson Thomas obviously had fun with the whole project. I guarantee you will too!

Zubin Mehta's "Carnival" Overture is OK but undistinguished; however, Andrew Davis's performance of the Symphony No. 5 is a fine one, with the youthful swagger this work requires and with sturdy playing from the Philharmonia Orchestra. There might be finer recordings around, but hardly at this price. So even if you have the Fifth Symphony in your collection, duplicate it! If you love Dvorak, you won't want to miss "The American Flag."

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Love Me or Leave Me Alone

Shostakovich: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 3

Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo

Love Themes

Best Of Rick Springfield

Spanish Fly/Straight to the Sky

Song & Dance: The Songs - Original Broadway Cast Recording [Cast Recording]

Schubert: Symphonies No. 3, 5 & 6

Reach for the Ground [Import]

Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 61 [Box set]

Straight Ahead

Oh Que Gusto

Romanticamente Trios, Vol. 3

One for the Money

Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul