Dvorak - Slavonic Dances

[Ciel_Rouge]

To me they are a surprising combination of Slavonic emotionality and Viennese flair. It is believed that Dvorak invented his own melodies and set them to traditional Slavonic dance rhythms. However, I can easily recognize a Polish folk tune (Kukuleczka kuka) in the first dance. I was also wondering if there is more background available on the origin of  the dances or maybe even recordings and reconstructions of what they sound like. By the way - which Slavonic Dances do you prefer - piano or orchestrated? I only listened to Pletnev's orchestrated.

[Bogey]

Szell/Cleveland (Complete)-CBS/Sony 32DC209 (Japanese pressing)

[Lethevich]

I like Kubelik's DG set with the Bavarian RSO, currently packaged with Dvořák overtures by the same forces on a DG Trio. His recordings with that orchestra are quite special - I was initially put off by the lack of warmth in the sound, but the performances are so virtuosic and the sound quality very clear and detailed that they are rather dazzling when coupled with Kubelik's manner of finding the perfect balance between lyricism and high drama. These Dvořák recordings find him at his very best, which is saying something for a conductor who produced so few duds.

[imperfection]

Harnoncourt/Concentus Musicus Wien. No competition.

[Drasko]

Slavonic Dance op.46/7 - CzPO/Sejna

[dave b]

I never thought that as a beginner I would be able to jump in so soon.
I have the Cleveland Orchestra CD, Christoph Von Dohnanyi. My two favorites are No 4 in F Major and No 7 in C Major.

[Ciel_Rouge]

Are there any good piano recordings of the dances? From what I see all of your favourites were orchestrated for a symphonic orchestra except Harnoncourt with a chamber orchestra.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Harnoncourt/Concentus Musicus Wien. No competition.

I didn't know that the Concetus Musicus Wien has moved on to late 19th century Romantic repertoire. You have a link to that recording? The only Harnoncourt Slavonic Dances I know of is this one with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (a fantastic recording BTW):



I second Szell. There are musicians in the NYPO who say when they are preparing this piece for performance they pop in the Szell recording because it personifies clarity and execution. For better dynamic contrast the Dohnanyi/Cleveland is hard to beat.

[Que]

Slavonic Dance op.46/7 - CzPO/Sejna

Absolutely - I have Talich and Senja, but Šenja is the man.

Q

[Dana]

To me they are a surprising combination of Slavonic emotionality and Viennese flair. It is believed that Dvorak invented his own melodies and set them to traditional Slavonic dance rhythms. However, I can easily recognize a Polish folk tune (Kukuleczka kuka) in the first dance. I was also wondering if there is more background available on the origin of  the dances or maybe even recordings and reconstructions of what they sound like.

      I'm pretty sure that Dvorak's Slavonic Dances (as well as Brahms Hungarian Dances) were originally composed for a variety of chamber ensembles - two pianos, piano & violin, piano & viola, etc - for the composers to play with their friends. A basic search on sheetmusicplus or Shar will probably turn up at least a handful of arrangements. I find them to be fun little interludes, and prefer playing them to listening to them. I like your description of them

[bhodges]

I love these, but don't recall ever hearing these in any other form, other than the orchestral versions.  My favorite has already been mentioned: Harnoncourt and the COE, which is just a brilliant recording (and even more impressive, apparently done from live performances). 

But I also have Szell and Dohnányi, which are excellent, and Karl recommended Maazel's (with Berlin) which is also very fine.

--Bruce

[Bogey]

I never thought that as a beginner I would be able to jump in so soon.
I have the Cleveland Orchestra CD, Christoph Von Dohnanyi. My two favorites are No 4 in F Major and No 7 in C Major.

I second Szell. There are musicians in the NYPO who say when they are preparing this piece for performance they pop in the Szell recording because it personifies clarity and execution. For better dynamic contrast the Dohnanyi/Cleveland is hard to beat.

I love these, but don't recall ever hearing these in any other form, other than the orchestral versions.  My favorite has already been mentioned: Harnoncourt and the COE, which is just a brilliant recording (and even more impressive, apparently done from live performances). 

But I also have Szell and Dohnányi, which are excellent, and Karl recommended Maazel's (with Berlin) which is also very fine.

--Bruce

Looks as though I need to add another Cleveland performance to my shelf (Dohnányi) to put beside my Szell.

[DavidW]

Looks as though I need to add another Cleveland performance to my shelf (Dohnányi) to put beside my Szell.

Yes!  You won't regret it.

[Peregrine]

Are there any good piano recordings of the dances? From what I see all of your favourites were orchestrated for a symphonic orchestra except Harnoncourt with a chamber orchestra.

I was asking the same question on another forum recently and was pointed towards this recording, which I've ordered:



http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000S6EUAW/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

[Herman]

Harnoncourt/Concentus Musicus Wien. No competition.

That is a ludicrous claim.

I like the Kubelik Bavarian, but frankly it's not music I listen to a whole lot.

They are excellent orchestral encores and that's it for me. (And I really like Dvorak, mind you.)

[PerfectWagnerite]

That is a ludicrous claim.

Maybe that's a ludicrous because no such recording exists.

Are there any good piano recordings of the dances? From what I see all of your favourites were orchestrated for a symphonic orchestra except Harnoncourt with a chamber orchestra.

There is no real difference (none that you can tell on a blind listening test) whether it's the COE or a "regular" symphony orchestra.

The orchestration was done by Dvorak himself so if you think the orchestrated version is less "authentic" you can rest assured. It's not like Pictures at an Exhibition where someone else did the orchestration.

[DarkAngel]

Absolutely - I have Talich and Senja, but Šenja is the man.
Q

I love Dvorak Slavonic Dances and Brahms Hungarian Dances

I really enjoy Sejna and Neumann, the Talich is a curious let down......
Surprisingly can't find any complete set by Ancerl, 3CD Kubelik/DG Trio is near the top with tone poem collection a great value purchase

If I could keep only one I go with Szell/Sony

[Todd]

These are wonderful, if slight, pieces, and work well in the orchestral version.  I prefer Kubelik, and then in LP form.  The strings sound much better that way.  I confess to not worrying about hearing too many versions of these pieces - not when Dvorak's symphonic and chamber masterpieces are out there.

[Lethevich]

Just inserting the cover of that Kubelik Trio, given that a couple of people have recommended his dances by now:



Can't say it's stunning value at this price on Amazon at the moment (I picked it up for £8), but the performances are uniformly dynamite.

[hautbois]

To me the Kubelik are Szell are indispensable. It is after many years when one gets to know these pieces and recordings so well, that you listen to the Harnoncourt and then it becomes really a magical experience. Listen to the famous no (2) 10 in e minor for instance, Harnoncourt's time taking decisions can only be described as truly organic music making. Listen to the shades of dynamics, the change of mood. To me the spaces of silence really creates the inner yearning that the music seems to want to say. Most people crescendo very early, but Harnoncourt leaves the extravagant expression to unfold only at the very last moment. Highly recommendable!

Howard