Search - Antonin Dvorak, Libor Pesek, Zdenek Kosler :: Dvorák: Slavonic Rhapsodies, Op. 45, Nos. 1-3; Rhapsody, Op. 14

The 9th shouldn't be the only one . . .

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 01/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, Dvorak is probably most famous for his 9th Symphony a.k.a. "New World", and for his Slavonic Dances. But he's much more than just those two pieces. There's also the "Otello Overture", the "Golden Spinning Wheel", the "Legends for Orchestra", the opera "Rusalka", and finally this, the Slavonic Rhapsodies.



According to the Naxos liner notes, the Rhapsody Op. 14 "was conceived as a symphonic poem . . . [and] shows a firm handling of the ochestra in a form that is occasionally inclined to the episodic". And it really DOES show. The piece is purely melodic, and it's almost as if it came from Smetana's "Ma Vlast".



The Slavonic Rhapsodies Op. 45 is a different story. Each of the three pieces have different atmospheres. No. 1 starts very soft, and then a march comes along. A peasant dance arises, and then it all ends in a soft tone again. No. 2 is a fine waltz that isn't lyrical, but still very musical. And finally, the harp is what starts No. 3. After a good passage by the woodwinds, we find ourselves immersed with a dance, along with solos for violin and flute.



Maestro Zdenek Kosler, who's known for his relaxed interpretations of Dvorak's "Requiem" and "Stabat Mater", goes for a bit of more energy with Op. 45, while Libor Pesek does a splendid job with Op. 14. Both pieces are performed briliantly by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, and have fine audio quality. Highly recommended not only for Dvorak fans, but for those who are fascinated with Slavic music."

Great lesser known Dvorak

Jason Poe | Somewhere in the Southeast, probably | 10/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The recording quality is very good, and the orchestra is brilliant. While these rhapsodies are among Dvorak's lesser known works, they are equally worth listening to. Some of my favorite parts are the march in the middle of Op 45.1, and the harps at the beginning of Op 45.3"

Fine performances

G.D. | Norway | 12/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dvorák's Slavonic Rhapsodies have been more or less overshadowed by the popular Slavonic dances (the first set of which was composed immediately before the rhapsodies). True, they might have less immediate melodic appeal, but they are, in the end, hardly inferior.



The first opens gently, turns into march-like section, a dance, a meditiative passage, a more busy one and ends back in the pastoral mood in which it began, all very enjoyable, beautiful and well-made. The second is somewhat less memorable and seems not fully developed - there is a lot of fine, energetic music, but overall this one seems more episodic than the others. The third is a splendid work, with a beautiful opening developing into a dramatic section and subsequently a very memorable theme.



The earlier Rhapsody in a minor is more of a symphonic poem, apparently inspired by his compatriot Smetana's forays into that genre. It is a fine work if a little loosely structured, well-orchestrated and typical of Dvorak's early period.



With Kosler and Pesek Naxos has of course got hold on world-class conductors, and they give good if a little rough performances which really play out the rustic charm of these works. Sound quality is maybe little closed, but not really objectionable. This is really one of the most worthwhile issues in the early Naxos catalogue."