Search - Antonin Dvorak, James Levine, Chicago Symphony Orchestra :: Dvorak: Symphonies 7 & 9

A worthy performance, poorly served by the recording.

03/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I qualify James Levine's interpretations of these two Dvorak symphonies close to, though perhaps not surpassing, the best versions available. There is vigor and vitality aplenty in both the 7th and 9th. On a comparative basis, I would put these performances near to, or slightly better, than the interpretations made on Telarc by Andre Previn and the LA Philharmonic (though the Telarc recordings are much better). These recordings do fall short of the class of those definitive readings made by Rafael Kubelik (DG, 9th), Istvan Kertesz (Decca, 9th), or von Dohnanyi (Decca, 7th, 9th).The RCA engineers achieved very mixed results in this recording. The disc label touts the 24-bit technology employed. Indeed, the recording is finely detailed. However, a very hard, varnish-like sheen plagues the violin section througout both symphonies, and its effect is quite apparent. Decca engineers achieved much better results than RCA in other contemporaneous recordings (early 80s) in the same venue (Chicago's Medinah Temple)."

Wonderful recordings

Prescott Cunningham Moore | 03/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Levine has always been an exciting conductor to listen to. His recordings are always interesting and delightful to listen to. Here, we encounter Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Dvorak's two most popular symphonies. The result is delightful. Levine, always a proponent of large sonics, has created big, heavy sounding versions. But at the same time, the symphonies are not poorly performed; rather, Levine brings out the brass without sacrificing the other sections of the orchestra. However, as another reviewer noted, the sound quality is a bit lacking. The strings, especially in the 7th, sound rather nasal and overly focused. The ninth is a bit more balanced. Still, don't let a slight recording problem turn you away from this CD. Highly recommended."

An Amazing Reading of the Dvorak Symphonies

Santa Fe Listener | 05/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Without a doubt, Levine's reading of Dvorak's seventh symphony is amazing. Not only that, but the recording sound is wonderful. The new 24/96 recording style makes it an amazingly clear performance."