Search - Johannes Brahms, Antonin Dvorak, Herbert von Karajan :: Brahms: Hungarian Dances; Dvorák: Slavonic Dances / Herbert von Karajan

A little too virtuosic and stylized

Santa Fe Listener | 10/30/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There are better recordings out there, you may want to try Szell or Abbado(digital). I expected a lot from this album and was disappointed. Some of the slow parts are too slow, and some of the fast parts are too fast. They delight in virtuosity to the point of hurting the music. Overall a good recording, but one that did not need to be in the Deutsche Grammophon Originals series, which is usually pretty reliable. While this set seems attractive because it picks out the better dances from both Brahms and Dvorak and puts them on one disc, serious listeners may want to look elsewhere. Besides, this CD leaves out one of the dances that Brahms himself orchestrated."

A wish come true

Enrique Garduno Gomez | Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico | 06/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My father had this record and I lost it, now I can have it again. I had asked for it but it was not available. This record is excellent the music is superb and the interpretation is sensational. A most for any Karajan fan. I'll be thankful for the existance of the internet."

Gorgeously played but very urbane

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Karajan wasn't suited to country living, at least not in music that needed the authentic rusti touch. Forty years ago the musical public didn't expect genuine earthiness and folk flavor from Dvorak, much less Brahms. And in truth Brahms was as urban as Karajan--his dances are German with Hungarian spicing. As such, they get wonderful, energetic readings from Karajan, but be aware that he has rounded every corner and polished the surface like marble. Also, this CD is rathe short shrift, somewhat made up for by Karajan's terrific Scherzo capriccioso, a Dvorak rarity from major condcutors. Needless to add, the BPO plays superbly throughout, and DG's analog sound is very good."