Trace a Composer's Musical Growth
06/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While Neeme Jarvi's performances with the Detroit Symphony on Chandos have set the standard for these symphonies, I find nothing lacking in Mogrelia's interpretations. Both conductors approach the music with great verve, and while the Detroit Symphony is obviously a larger body, the Razumovsky Orchestra brings a welcome lightness and resultant dexterity to its playing in these joyous symphonies.The Second Symphony, written 10 years after the First, is altogether the finer work and, I think, a worthy successor to Dvorak's canon. (The dark Third Symphony, finest of all, is what Dvorak's Seventh Symphony would have sounded like if written at century's end.) But Fibich's First is well crafted and has pleasant if less distinctive melodies, so I wouldn't be without either work in my collection. Add one of Naxos' best recordings from middle Europe, and you have a definite winner in this modestly priced disk."
One average, one great - but beware of skips!
Thomas Hastings | Washington, DC United States | 05/20/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I had never heard of Zdenek Fibich, but as a devoted fan of Dvorak I figured that any late-19th century Czech composer was worth a try - especially for a low-priced cd. The first symphony here is nothing special - pleasant enough, but with nothing that grabs your attention and no very memorable melodies. (Let's be fair, though: Dvorak's first four or five symphonies are nothing too special either.) The second symphony is a treasure - especially it's vibrant last movement, which is dramatic and exciting as some of the best Dvorak.So, four stars for the music itself: but unfortunately my copy of this cd had some skips in it from the very first time I played it. That's the risk you take when you buy a bargain cd, I suppose, and perhaps it's an isolated case. But be warned. If you love Dvorak, you'll like Fibich enough that it might make more sense to go ahead and buy the two-disk, three symphony Neeme Jarvi set ...(also available here)."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1