Dvorak Symphony No. 9 "New World"

[samuel]

since there are so many recordings of this famous symphony, i was just wondering what everyone's favorites are because I can't really decide which ones to get and which ones to avoid... kubelik, reiner, szell, kertesz, fricsay, bernstein, karajan, giulini, walter, solti, kondrashin, masur, dohnanyi, fischer, neumann, ancerl, harnoncourt, etc... which ones move you the most?

[david johnson]

so many good ones...

for me-

kubelik/chicago
szell/cleveland
karajan/bpo early emi

dj

[Mark]

I was impressed by Kubelik's, but the one I return to is Tennstedt's. Same orchestra with both, but the latter seems to draw something extra out of the players which the former doesn't, IMO. And I'm not talking about 'loudness' or any such silliness. Colin Davis and the LSO deliver a clean, powerful performance on the orchestra's own live label, but the RCO equivalent with Jansons left me wanting. Only other version I particularly like is that with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra under Dausgaard on BIS. A smaller sound, but no less impactful for it.

[SonicMan46]

Dvorak is probably my favorite 19th century composer, so I have plenty of his music; as you will likely see (and not to be unexpected w/ such a popular work), there will be a 'cornucopia' of recommendations - so brace yourself! 

To start off this 'merry-go-around', I currently have 2 complete sets in boxes (I find his earlier symphonies enjoyable, although 'mixed' opinions will be given, as has occurred in the past):

Suitner - 5-CD box that is quite inexpensive ($20 on Amazon) & Kertesz - 6 CD (2 Dbl-jewel boxes) set w/ some other works (older recordings that have gotten some 'mixed' reviews here); now, if you just want the last 3 or 4 symphonies (often packaged w/ the 9th), then I'm sure plenty of comments & suggestions will follow!  Good luck in your selection(s) - 

 

[Gustav]

I don't really have many versions of this symphony, since i think it's pretty straight-forward music, so I'll recommend Bruno Walter with CSO.

[Iago]

If you don't mind sound circa 1952, the Toscanini/NBC Symphony on RCA/BMG is absolutely definitive.
Blazing hot. With a forward momentum that belies the fact that the Maestro was  in his 85th year of life.

Superb playing, superb conducting, adequate recording. But don't buy any in ersatz stereo. The original mono is the recording of choice.

[MishaK]

Actually my favorite by far is the live Abbado/BPO on the DVD of the Europa-Konzert from Palermo (was that 2003?). It's a real scorcher.

[m_gigena]

Actually my favorite by far is the live Abbado/BPO on the DVD of the Europa-Konzert from Palermo (was that 2003?). It's a real scorcher.

I still have to watch that.

[Que]

Not mentioned in the OP, but a truly great Dvorák conductor: Václav Talich, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (1954)



Q

[dirkronk]

My favorites haven't changed in years, but they do reflect a range of approaches, all in good to excellent stereo:
Horenstein/RPO
Stokowski/New Philharmonia
Kubelik/Berlin
Szell/Cleveland

And BTW, Iago is perfectly right: early sound or no, Toscanini is amazing in its intensity. Do try to hear it. Another older one that should be heard at some point is Talich's, noted by Que just above.

I really don't find Walter's to be that appealing, but maybe it's just me. Same with Karajan. Ditto Fricsay, whom I normally love. Reiner is actually quite good, very well paced and well played, but if you decide to try it, get the most recent CD remastering and avoid ANY vinyl of this work, which was never given proper mastering in the LP era (it always sounded dim and dull--and I've owned many different copies from every era, from earliest Shaded Dog to the last gasp of vinyl).

Cheers,

Dirk

[hornteacher]

I can't claim to be an authority on many works, but this is one I can.  I've owned more copies of this Symphony than any other piece in my collection and I've studied it, performed it, conducted it, marched it, and arranged it for concert bands, marching bands, and chamber groups.  So, I feel I'm at least qualified to give some advice here.  So let's start with:

1) My personal all-time kick-a$$ favorite New World CD.  Every note for me is perfect.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=118764&album_group=5

2) Also a great recording.  ALMOST as good as the Mackerras.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=6494

3) A more restrained account but still VERY good.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=62075&album_group=5

4) A fantastic recording if you don't mind Analog sound quality.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=135861

5) This one is only on my list because the Finale is so well done and exciting.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Drilldown?name_id1=3313&name_role1=1&comp_id=942&bcorder=15&name_id=9711&name_role=3

6) Hands Down the BEST DVD of New World
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=94187

7) A FANTASTIC detailed CD analysis of the entire Symphony with superb booklet notes.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=55825


Hope this helps.  

[PerfectWagnerite]

My recommendation is Fritz Reiner/Chicago SO on RCA. The most straightforward classical yet dynamically nuanced with sprighty rhythms I know. The bad habit of most conductors to slam on the brakes when the transition passage and second subject of the first movement occur do not happen here. Plus the 1950's sound would put some modern recordings to shame.

[Brian]

1) My personal all-time kick-a$$ favorite New World CD.  Every note for me is perfect.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=118764&album_group=5

Oooh, great choice.


I also want to second SonicMan: $20 for Suitner's Dvorak box is a no-brainer - terrific performances of all the symphonies, including a marvelous, dramatic Ninth, a luminous Sixth, and the best Eighth I ever hope to hear, and all for the price of one CD!

[Daverz]

Kertesz/VPO.  This is not the one in the Decca Dvorak symphonies box, but an earlier recording.  The Japanese issue is coupled with a lovely Serenade op. 22.

http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/879994

[samtrb]

This symphony like Schubert's ninth gave me a hard time looking for THE one. And whenever i hesitate, it seems like Abbado has a word to say.

Actually my favorite by far is the live Abbado/BPO on the DVD of the Europa-Konzert from Palermo (was that 2003?). It's a real scorcher.

I watched once that DVD and i remember it was impressive. i wonder if the disc presents the same material


Otherwise, i have tried Levine on DG, Jansons EMI, kondrashin, Kertesz and Dohnanyi Decca, the mono Ancerl and Fricsay. I like the last one, but i am still looking... I would listen again to Kubelick, Abbado and try szell

[PerfectWagnerite]

This symphony like Schubert's ninth gave me a hard time looking for THE one. And whenever i hesitate, it seems like Abbado has a word to say.

I watched once that DVD and i remember it was impressive. i wonder if the disc presents the same material

Here is a review from classicstoday.com. They seem to think it stinks.

http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=1193

[dirkronk]

Our poor OP. We seem to be recreating a lo-o-o-n-g, long list for him...rather than shortening it.


Dirk

[Bonehelm]

Karajan/VPO in DG's Karajan Gold series. The brass of VPO is insane.

[Steve]

It's Kubelik for me. That boxed set of Dvorak's Symphonies is a sure bet. 

[rubio]

For Dvorak it seems like I often prefer Czech conductors. For this symhony my vote go to the 1954 recording of Talich/Czech PO. Lovely woodwind playing as always from the Czech PO.