Dvorak's Den

Madiel · March 29, 2025, 07:31:59 PM

Does anybody know whether the Neumann studio Rusalka is online?

Supraphon recordings are somewhat tricky sometimes (maybe this will change with the new ownership). I can't spot this one anywhere besides on CD. I'd like to sample.

JBS · March 29, 2025, 07:48:14 PM

Quote from: Madiel on March 29, 2025, 07:31:59 PMDoes anybody know whether the Neumann studio Rusalka is online?

Supraphon recordings are somewhat tricky sometimes (maybe this will change with the new ownership). I can't spot this one anywhere besides on CD. I'd like to sample.

You might get at least a first approximation with this--same soprano and if I read the listing right, same year as the studio recording

Madiel · March 29, 2025, 08:19:58 PM

Quote from: JBS on March 29, 2025, 07:48:14 PMYou might get at least a first approximation with this--same soprano and if I read the listing right, same year as the studio recording

Actually about 5 years later. And opinion seems to be it's not as good.

Symphonic Addict · March 29, 2025, 08:25:25 PM

Quote from: Madiel on March 29, 2025, 07:31:59 PMDoes anybody know whether the Neumann studio Rusalka is online?

Supraphon recordings are somewhat tricky sometimes (maybe this will change with the new ownership). I can't spot this one anywhere besides on CD. I'd like to sample.

If you do YouTube, this is the playlist link of the whole opera:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ml-1Iwz7oHwBsLtnjB8RB-6dMtgnjkBJ8

Madiel · March 29, 2025, 09:31:53 PM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 29, 2025, 08:25:25 PMIf you do YouTube, this is the playlist link of the whole opera:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ml-1Iwz7oHwBsLtnjB8RB-6dMtgnjkBJ8

Thank you, that will do nicely**. Especially as I just figured out how to redirect sound from my Apple TV to my stereo.

Bizarrely there are actually TWO YouTube playlists, and on the other one somebody has inexplicably inserted 3 hour-long videos in various places in the running order.

I'm not sure I can handle the whole opera 2 days in a row, but I definitely want to give the Neumann version a run. This and Mackerras seem to be nearly everyone's top two, but people differ as to which they prefer.

**So long as ads don't turn up TOO often!

Daverz · March 30, 2025, 12:43:25 PM

Quote from: Madiel on March 29, 2025, 07:31:59 PMDoes anybody know whether the Neumann studio Rusalka is online?

Supraphon recordings are somewhat tricky sometimes (maybe this will change with the new ownership). I can't spot this one anywhere besides on CD. I'd like to sample.

All I see on Qobuz US is the highlight disc. Supraphon has been reissuing their Smetana opera sets, so maybe the Rusalka will be reissued soon.

https://open.qobuz.com/album/sjjxmp06zvtjb

Kalevala · March 30, 2025, 12:49:01 PM

Quote from: Madiel on March 29, 2025, 09:31:53 PMThank you, that will do nicely**. Especially as I just figured out how to redirect sound from my Apple TV to my stereo.

Bizarrely there are actually TWO YouTube playlists, and on the other one somebody has inexplicably inserted 3 hour-long videos in various places in the running order.

I'm not sure I can handle the whole opera 2 days in a row, but I definitely want to give the Neumann version a run. This and Mackerras seem to be nearly everyone's top two, but people differ as to which they prefer.

**So long as ads don't turn up TOO often!

The only Rusalka recording that I have is with Fleming. From what I recall, what I heard of Benakova's voice/singing I didn't like. Just my two cents worth.

K

Daverz · March 30, 2025, 01:25:25 PM

Quote from: Kalevala on March 30, 2025, 12:49:01 PMThe only Rusalka recording that I have is with Fleming. From what I recall, what I heard of Benakova's voice/singing I didn't like. Just my two cents worth.

K

Beňačková's voice does have a "Slavic" edge, but I suppose I'm used to that by now and don't find it excessive in this Rusalka.

Karafan · August 18, 2025, 05:25:29 AM

Quote from: Madiel on March 14, 2022, 03:17:48 PMI'm currently listening to Symphony No.6 (Kertesz) with that mindset.

I recall there is a very good Kertesz 6th played live in London with the LSO in 1966 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84qTuNYrzwA Briefly available (now OOP) on CD - https://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Symphony-Orchestra-1904-2005-01-18/dp/B01AXLG9ZA

Unlike many live Proms recordings from the '60s, this is beautifully caught and the LSO play with a fiery, echt-Czech resolve for Kertesz.

Karafan · August 19, 2025, 05:12:32 AM

Quote from: vers la flamme on May 02, 2023, 12:44:23 PMI'm partial to 7 and 8, and to a somewhat lesser extent 9. I don't have much memory of the first six, though I've heard them all at least 2-3 times.

Whenever my appetite for the 9th wanes, suitable invigoration is provided by the black and white Karajan recording, made in a studio in January 1966 with his Berliners, under the watchful eye of film director, Henri-Georges Clouzot.

It's a turbulent, fiery affair and I usually have to surpress a smile at the wide age range dynamic from what look to be serried ranks of twelve year old double bassists and a geriatric string section who, nonetheless, play as if their lives depended on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw5Vsg9vRNs&list=RDbw5Vsg9vRNs&start_radio=1

Symphonic Addict · October 08, 2025, 06:47:30 PM

An entertaining and illuminating analysis on his Symphonic Variations:

Other than the insightful comments, I like the enthusiasm on behalf of the musician analyst.

Roasted Swan · October 09, 2025, 12:00:48 AM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on October 08, 2025, 06:47:30 PMAn entertaining and illuminating analysis on his Symphonic Variations:

Other than the insightful comments, I like the enthusiasm on behalf of the musician analyst.

I often think that if Dvorak HADN'T written so many other remarkable orchestral works the Symphonic Variations would get more attention. I've not watched the analysis above - but will! - but it strikes me they are a very well constructed set, beautifully and memorably orchestrated with an attractive main theme that is very well suited to the form.

Madiel · October 09, 2025, 01:03:36 AM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on October 08, 2025, 06:47:30 PMAn entertaining and illuminating analysis on his Symphonic Variations:

Other than the insightful comments, I like the enthusiasm on behalf of the musician analyst.

Seems like a rather promising channel in general.

EDIT: Though the length of episodes varies enormously! There are a couple of Beethoven ones that are movie length.

Symphonic Addict · October 09, 2025, 05:24:17 PM

Quote from: Roasted Swan on October 09, 2025, 12:00:48 AMI often think that if Dvorak HADN'T written so many other remarkable orchestral works the Symphonic Variations would get more attention. I've not watched the analysis above - but will! - but it strikes me they are a very well constructed set, beautifully and memorably orchestrated with an attractive main theme that is very well suited to the form.

Wholly agreed, it's masterful and rather undervalued compared to his other orchestral works. I'd love to hear it on a live concert someday.

Symphonic Addict · October 09, 2025, 05:27:10 PM

Quote from: Madiel on October 09, 2025, 01:03:36 AMSeems like a rather promising channel in general.

EDIT: Though the length of episodes varies enormously! There are a couple of Beethoven ones that are movie length.

There is some good stuff on that channel indeed. Those videos contain many excerpts of the work in question which could make the discussion a little long, but I think it's rewarding in the end.