Dvorak Symphonies: Complete Sets & Singles

[Madiel]

Not that I know of. Only good way to listen to them seems to be to rip the CDs to FLAC or ALAC tracks. (Digital downloads from Decca/Deutsche Grammophon are invariably suspect, as a large number of them have audible digital watermarking.)

Yes, I've done the occasional ripping to put things back together (although in most cases this is actually for something that is longer than a single CD in any case).

[Roasted Swan]

Recently mentioned here but I've been revisiting the earlier/analogue Neumann/Czech PO cycle on Supraphon.  I've been re-ripping them to a hard drive as FLAC files and the performances are superb.  Full of personality and character.  Just a touch of harsh edge mixed in with the reverb of the hall but for music-making of this calibre I'm happy!

[Daverz]

Yes, I've done the occasional ripping to put things back together (although in most cases this is actually for something that is longer than a single CD in any case).

I used to move files around so that all movements of a work were in one directory.  But Logitech Media Server has a feature where it will treat multiple disc sets as one "album".  It's then easy to select the movements of the work you want to play (see attachment at bottom).  There is also the Custom Browse plugin that allows you to browse by composer and work, but that requires a lot of, um... work to tag things properly.

TD: One 9th I'd like to hear is Levine (yes, the conductor who had his own sex abuse cult).  Based on how brilliant his Chicago Brahms is, it should be an experience.  Next time I'm in the mood for a 9th.

[geralmar]

1959 rec.

Another endorsement of the Fricsay, if only because I remember listening to it as a kid while lying on the floor and holding a cheap six transistor a.m. pocket radio up to an electrical outlet (to act as an antenna) so I could catch its broadcast from somewhere in Iowa. 

[Brahmsian]

I'm just bumping this thread at the prompt of Madiel for the recent interest and discussion on Dvořák symphonies.

[André]

From the Neumann set I have nos 4-6. Supraphon foolishly packaged the symphonies in bulky 2 cd cases with 3 symphonies each, one of them split between discs. That's about as inconvenient as it gets. If I could get them in a space saving box with no splits I'd get it in no time.

Of course they can be purchased in the complete set of orchestral works, but that means buying 9 discs with the overtures and tone poems - for which I prefer Chalabala and Harnoncourt.

[Brahmsian]

In light of the recent discussion, I am strongly considering getting the Kertesz set of symphonies, to contrast and supplement the Pesek set I have.

Kertesz/LPO/Decca seems to be on the swifter side of things, which I generally seem to prefer in a lot of works. Plus, I am a huge, HUGE fan of Kertesz' Schubert set of symphonies (Vienna Phil) because of their brisk, energetic tempos.

[Karl Henning]

In light of the recent discussion, I am strongly considering getting the Kertesz set of symphonies, to contrast and supplement the Pesek set I have.

Kertesz/LPO/Decca seems to be on the swifter side of things, which I generally seem to prefer in a lot of works. Plus, I am a huge, HUGE fan of Kertesz' Schubert set of symphonies (Vienna Phil) because of their brisk, energetic tempos.

The Kertesz was my first Dvořák set, but it's a while since I listened to it, I should rustle it up.

[André]

Kertesz' accounts of 5, 7 and 9 have claims to be top choices - or at least top 3.

[Brian]

From the Neumann set I have nos 4-6. Supraphon foolishly packaged the symphonies in bulky 2 cd cases with 3 symphonies each, one of them split between discs. That's about as inconvenient as it gets. If I could get them in a space saving box with no splits I'd get it in no time.

Of course they can be purchased in the complete set of orchestral works, but that means buying 9 discs with the overtures and tone poems - for which I prefer Chalabala and Harnoncourt.

You might mean different cycles? I believe the Supraphon Neumann set that came out with big numbers on the covers, 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, is digital, and the purple box with the complete overtures and tone poems (but not fully complete orchestral works) is analog.

[SonicMan46]

In light of the recent discussion, I am strongly considering getting the Kertesz set of symphonies, to contrast and supplement the Pesek set I have.

Kertesz/LPO/Decca seems to be on the swifter side of things, which I generally seem to prefer in a lot of works. Plus, I am a huge, HUGE fan of Kertesz' Schubert set of symphonies (Vienna Phil) because of their brisk, energetic tempos.

The Kertesz was my first Dvořák set, but it's a while since I listened to it, I should rustle it up.

Kertesz was my first set also of these symphonies - I have the 6-disc box below (first image); much more recently a newer restoration appeared w/ added material increasing to a 9-disc box, including a BD (second image) - the differences in sound quality are described as substantial (see attached reviews of both sets) - unfortunately, seems to be OOP!  Hope that the new one is reprinted or possibly licensed to Brilliant?    Dave


 

[Brahmsian]

Kertesz was my first set also of these symphonies - I have the 6-disc box below (first image); much more recently a newer restoration appeared w/ added material increasing to a 9-disc box, including a BD (second image) - the differences in sound quality are described as substantial (see attached reviews of both sets) - unfortunately, seems to be OOP!  Hope that the new one is reprinted or possibly licensed to Brilliant?    Dave


 

Thanks Dave.  Actually, the one I was eyeing was this one below.  Not sure which one is recommended or the best (sound quality wise)

[SonicMan46]

Thanks Dave.  Actually, the one I was eyeing was this one below.  Not sure which one is recommended or the best (sound quality wise)

Hi Ray - I suspect that the box above are the same 6 discs that are in my collection but w/ 3 added discs to include the rest of Kertesz's recordings w/ the LSO (I also have his 2-CD set of the Symphonic Poems but not the Requiem); BTW, I've attached an updated review PDF including a new one from MusicWeb; the reviewer there was not as impressed w/ the restoration as the Fanfare guy and complained about the packaging, so you might be just as well off w/ the older non-restored recordings?  Dave

[Roasted Swan]

You might mean different cycles? I believe the Supraphon Neumann set that came out with big numbers on the covers, 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, is digital, and the purple box with the complete overtures and tone poems (but not fully complete orchestral works) is analog.

Quite right Brian - the analog set is far superior in musical terms.  Neumann sounds a bit routine in the remake

[Brahmsian]

Hi Ray - I suspect that the box above are the same 6 discs that are in my collection but w/ 3 added discs to include the rest of Kertesz's recordings w/ the LSO (I also have his 2-CD set of the Symphonic Poems but not the Requiem); BTW, I've attached an updated review PDF including a new one from MusicWeb; the reviewer there was not as impressed w/ the restoration as the Fanfare guy and complained about the packaging, so you might be just as well off w/ the older non-restored recordings?  Dave

Thanks for sharing that, Dave.  It sounds like I should buy the 9 discs + Blue Ray reissue (the one with the pastoral/peasant scene cover portrait) because of the improvements in sound.  Ie. Not the red and white Decca set image I posted.

[Brian]

The red and white set comes from a product line I find kinda cheaply made - the CD sleeves just list the work titles and not track numbers or times or the total number of tracks...just a personal pet peeve, I know other people don't mind, so I would say don't let that sway your decision. Certainly my Kertesz copy is annoying in its own way also! It's the OG (first image) which is two plastic boxes in a slipcover which are sandwiching FOUR chunks of cardboard because they made the slipcover too big...good grief!

[André]

You might mean different cycles? I believe the Supraphon Neumann set that came out with big numbers on the covers, 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, is digital, and the purple box with the complete overtures and tone poems (but not fully complete orchestral works) is analog.

So there are two Neumann cycles on Supraphon ? Didn't know that... The plot thickens, then. I always thought they were the same performances. There are other Neumann/Dvorak discs on Exton. Are they the same as the Supraphons ? How konfewzing...

Mine are the ones with those big numbers, with symphony 5 split btw discs. The 'much inferior' performances, then...

[Brian]

So there are two Neumann cycles on Supraphon ? Didn't know that... The plot thickens, then. I always thought they were the same performances. There are other Neumann/Dvorak discs on Exton. Are they the same as the Supraphons ? How konfewzing...

Mine are the ones with those big numbers, with symphony 5 split btw discs. The 'much inferior' performances, then...

I can't speak to either inferiority (haven't heard the "numbers" cycle) or Exton recordings, but the original, "purple" Supraphon cycle dates from 1971-73, and the "numbers" set was recorded from 1981-87, with a fairly big gap between the later symphonies (recorded first) and the earlier ones (recorded after 85). Comparing the '73ish CzPO under Neumann to the '93ish CzPO under Pesek, I hear a definite change in the sound of the orchestra's winds and horn playing, but don't know if that is true of the later Neumann recordings.

[André]

Looks like I'll go for the Supraphon box of the analog recordings, then  .

[Jo498]

Hi Ray - I suspect that the box above are the same 6 discs that are in my collection but w/ 3 added discs to include the rest of Kertesz's recordings w/ the LSO (I also have his 2-CD set of the Symphonic Poems but not the Requiem); BTW, I've attached an updated review PDF including a new one from MusicWeb; the reviewer there was not as impressed w/ the restoration as the Fanfare guy and complained about the packaging, so you might be just as well off w/ the older non-restored recordings?  Dave

I wouldn't bother with a new issue, if you have most/all of the material and/or the missing stuff is available separately. I have the box with Dvorak's portrait (sturdy box, standard paper/cardboard sleeves) and I think the sound is very good. I have only parts of the Rowicki (4-6) and Kubelik (7-9) cycle (together with Neumann probably the three 60s/70s "classics") and Kertesz has IMO the best sound of them. Rowicki is also in very good sound, though.

But for those getting boxes anyway, I'd like to point out that the symphonic poems (esp. the late 4), the variations and also the ouvertures are well worth getting (IMO most of these shorter works are more important than the first 2 or even first 4 symphonies). There is a cheapish DG twofer with Kubelik that covers most of them.