War Horses Rediscovered.

[some guy]

This made me grin.

The 1812 is easy to excoriate, but it is like the finale of Beethoven's 9th--that bad bits are very small and the good bits are very large.

I've always thought the 1812 was a fine piece, though I did go through a phase in college where I would occasionally slam it.

Marche Slav, now, there's an awful piece. (You think I should give it another spin, just because? I say "no.")

[Daverz]

Do people really hate Dvorak No 1? The word 'hate' seems to be thrown around a lot in online forums. I have heard music or read books that I dislike and will never revisit but that doesn't amount to hatred.

Every time the Dvorak symphonies are discussed the problem of No 1 arises. Despite various hearings it still strikes me as dull, repetitious  and long winded so I now never listen to it, I don't hate it.

Like a lot of early Dvorak, I find a lot of lovely music in it, and try not to let the lack of structure bother me too much. 

[Sergeant Rock]

Another work of which I'm not sure if it is a War horse or not, but today I rediscovered the imposing Dvorak's 1st Symphony. I remember the first time I heard it. It appeared overlong, somewhat weighty. Now nothing of that happened. It's a very congruent symphony, energetic, with a pretty eloquent 2nd movement, great themes throughout and with a typical Dvorakian fun ending. I didn't feel it heavy at all, on the contrary, it's incredibly rewarding. The music holds very well. To be an early work it's a formidable one.

Like a lot of early Dvorak, I find a lot of lovely music in it, and try not to let the lack of structure bother me too much. 

I quite like it too...actually love the first movement.

Sarge