Search - Antonin Dvorak, Bedrich Smetana, Herbert von Karajan :: Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9; Smetana: The Moldau

Wonderful Set For Lovers of Czech Repertoire

Ekrem Ayyildiz | istanbul,turkey | 08/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dvorak's last two symphonies and Smetena's The Moldau were among favorite works of Karajan's wide repertoire. He recorded these works several times:

No.8: in 1979 with BP for EMI, in 1985 with WP for DG.

No.9: in 1964 with BP, in 1985 with WP for DG and in 1977 with BP for EMI.

The Moldau: in 1967 and 1980's with BP, in 1985 with WP for DG, in 1970's with BP for EMI.

This two CD consists of his DG recordings: No.8(1985-with WP), No.9(1964-with BP), selected parts from Slavonic Dances(1959-BP), The Moldau(1967-BP), Vysehrad and etc.

I have almost all important recordings of these work: Kubelik, Giulini, Munch, Keilberth, Klemperer, B.Walter, A.Fiedler, Szell, Solti, Ormandy, Kertesz, Maazel, Mackerras, Neumann, Sawallisch, Ancerl, Bernstein, Kondrashin, Dohnanyi, Jansons...

Especially No.8 is among my three favorite interpretation/recording by far(Others: Karajan-1979-BP-EMI and Giulini-Cgb-1992-Sony). Well- balanced rythmic figures, powerful string parts and blazing trumpets. No conductor(except Giulini)recorded this work such wonderful.

No.9(1964)is good (particularly Largo).If you are lover of 'From the New World',this is a must for your collection,if not,you can find better recordings. My favorites for all times: Karajan-1977 and 1985; Giulini-Concertgebouw-1992-Sony; Keilberth-1960's-Bamberg Symphony-Teldec; Arthur Fiedler-Boston Symphony-BMG/RCA and Kubelik-1972-BP-DG.

Some listeners don't like Karajan's performings because of more powerful than usual readings. They says:'Dvorak is not Bruckner or Wagner'. This may be true but not exactly. Dvorak's works(particularly Nos.7,8,9) includes structural and orchestral inspirations from Wagner and Bruckner. In short Karajan is always true conductor for Dvorak and Smetana lovers. All his performings in this set are powerful, authoritative, essential and undoubtly romantic! Very good price for two CD. Do not miss."