(http://i2.listal.com/image/158098/600full-antonin-dvorak.jpg)
Choose your 'Top 5 Favorite Dvorak Works'. I'm going to sit this one out as I'm only just becoming familiar with more of his music. Perhaps to add a bit more to this how about telling us your favorite performance of the works you select as well? Let's have some fun! :)
piano quintet and 3 big quartets
New world
Some of us can stick to 5!
Quote from: Ken B on June 13, 2016, 03:48:04 PM
piano quintet and 3 big quartets
New world
Some of us can stick to 5!
What are your favorite performances of these works?
Sticking to orchestral works now. I may post a chamber list later.
Symphony No.7 D minor (Davis/LSO; Szell/Cleveland)
Symphony No.8 G major (Giulini/Chicago; Karajan/Vienna Phil)
Symphony No.4 D minor (Rowicki/LSO; Kertesz/LSO)
Othello Overture (Rowicki/LSO; Neumann/Czech Phil)
Cello Concerto (Maazel/Ma/Berlin Phil; Davis/Schiff/Concertgebouw)
Romance for Violin and Orchestra F minor (Honeck/Mutter/Berlin Phil)
Sorry, limited math skills ;)
Sarge
Quote from: Ken B on June 13, 2016, 03:48:04 PM
New world
Magnificent symphony but unfortunately I overdosed on it (starting in high school where we played a band version of the last movement) and rarely feel the need or desire to listen to it nowadays. Sad really.
Sarge
I was just listening to Othello several hours ago, Sarge. Very nice work indeed.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 13, 2016, 04:13:42 PM
Magnificent symphony but unfortunately I overdosed on it (starting in high school where we played a band version of the last movement) and rarely feel the need or desire to listen to it nowadays. Sad really.
Sarge
Thankfully, I didn't have that problem, but I've been spending more time with the earlier symphonies, which have proven to be quite good. I even like
The Bells of Zionice, which gets dumped on a lot.
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 13, 2016, 04:13:48 PM
I was just listening to Othello several hours ago, Sarge. Very nice work indeed.
Try to hear Rowicki. He raises the roof...unbelievably powerful performance.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 13, 2016, 04:16:07 PM
Try to hear Rowicki. He raises the roof...unbelievably powerful performance.
Sarge
Decca seems to have two very good cycles: Kertesz and Rowicki. I'll have to give Rowicki a listen. Thanks.
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 13, 2016, 04:15:23 PM
Thankfully, I didn't have that problem, but I've been spending more time with the earlier symphonies, which have proven to be quite good. I even like The Bellos of Zionice, which gets dumped on a lot.
I like that one too. Unusual but appealing melodies and sounds.
- G major string quartet op.106 ((old) Vlach quartet/Supraphon)
- A flat major string quartet op.105 (not sure, Smetana/BBC has non-ideal sound, I have not heard a studio Smetana, the (younger) Vlach on Naxos is good, also the Janacek on DG (probably mono, though, and only in a box)
- Piano quintet op.81 (many, it is hard to ruin, Rubinstein/Guarneri is a nice one)
- 7th symphony (probably Kertesz, but I am not collecting the symphonies, so I have not many, except for #9)
- cello concerto (Fournier/Szell/DG)
honorable mention:
6th symphony
9th symphony
violin concerto (any Suk)
3rd piano trio (Suk trio)
2nd piano quintet op.87 (expanded Suk trio)
Quote from: Jo498 on June 13, 2016, 11:32:45 PM
- G major string quartet op.106 ((old) Vlach quartet/Supraphon)
- A flat major string quartet op.105 (not sure, Smetana/BBC has non-ideal sound, I have not heard a studio Smetana, the (younger) Vlach on Naxos is good, also the Janacek on DG (probably mono, though, and only in a box)
- Piano quintet op.81 (many, it is hard to ruin, Rubinstein/Guarneri is a nice one)
- 7th symphony (probably Kertesz, but I am not collecting the symphonies, so I have not many, except for #9)
- cello concerto (Fournier/Szell/DG)
honorable mention:
6th symphony
9th symphony
violin concerto (any Suk)
3rd piano trio (Suk trio)
2nd piano quintet op.87 (expanded Suk trio)
Good list, I heartily concur about the two string quartets, would possibly substitute the 3rd trio for the piano quintet. Then add the 8th symphony (such a wonderfully sunny work) and the cello concerto.
Symphony 7 (D minor op. 70)
String Quartet 13 (G major op. 106)
Piano Quintet 2 (A major op. 81)
Scherzo capriccioso
Violin Concerto
String Quartet 10 (Eb major op. 51)
Romance for Violin & Orchestra is necessary somewhere, but I'm already over limit. If necessary, substitutions would include Symphony 8 or 6, Piano Trio 3 (F minor op. 65), Serenade for Strings, or possibly the Cello Concerto (No. 2).
Admittedly I have not really heard any of Dvorak's operas (except a few excerpts from Rusalka) and while I have listened to each of the two large church pieces maybe once, I cannot claim that I really know them.
In any case, I think that three of the most famous Dvorak pieces are not really his best in the respective genres: The F major quartet "American", the 9th symphony and the Dumky trio. They are all very good and it is quite understandable that they became the most popular but they are really over-popular and assign many other worthy pieces to underserved (semi-)obscurity. (Although a few of the early string quartets largely deserve their obscurity... ;))
Random order:
String Quartet in G Op. 106 - truly symphonic in size/scale/dynamism, with a zillion great tunes and almost melodramatic turn-on-a-dime contrasts in mood. (I love contrast in my music.) Fave performance: Pavel Haas Quartet, who play the piece like they're on fire. The ladies of the Cecilia Quartet are great, too.
Symphony No. 8. Maaaaaybe my favorite post-Beethoven symphony. Not likely to be a MI favorite since it's overwhelmingly joyous, aside from that gorgeous slow movement...anyway, there's a place for joyous symphonies, and sometimes they don't get enough credit! Pulling off great happiness in art is an incredibly difficult trick. MI will get along best with No. 7, I bet, with its mad apocalyptic rush of a final movement. And if you had said Top Ten, that would be on here for sure! Fave performance: Otmar Suitner, end of story.
Te Deum. Speaking of joy - I've been shouting from the GMG rooftops about how much I love this piece for years now, and ain't stopping anytime soon. Under 20 minutes, concise, compact, hyper-energetic, perfect. Fave performance: there are no indisputably great ones, but the Supraphon blue box has a thoroughly acceptable one.
Possibilities for #4 and #5:
Symphonies 3 (Rowicki, Suitner, or Neumann) and 7 (Lenny, Kubelik, or M-W Chung); Violin Concerto (Suk or Mutter are best; Sporcl's a good runner-up); Cello Concerto (Fournier or Queyras); string quintet Op. 77; "Dumky" Trio; Wild Dove; Water Goblin; Noon-Day Witch; Golden Spinning Wheel (here Mackerras is triumphant); the BIS album of Christian Poltera playing various works for cello and piano.
Super-under-the-radar stealth contender: Humoresque No. 4. No, not that humoresque, but the one that seems to secretly hint that it knows what jazz is, and what jazz harmonies will be, and that it's heard the song "Jeepers Creepers":
http://www.youtube.com/v/lY_860uX8FI
Quote from: amw on June 14, 2016, 12:39:18 AM
Scherzo capriccioso
This is a really really interesting choice - a piece I've loved since teenagerhood and listen to regularly, but without much conscious thought about it. Some commentators have talked about the emotional ambiguity of its scenes - not sure if you'd care to elaborate on why you picked 'Scherzo capriccioso' but if you do, I'd read it!
Dvorak thought of himself as an opera composer.
We tend not to think of his operas at all, with the exception of some excerpts from Rusalka.
Rusalka is a stunner, to be sure. It and Dmitrij get a lot of air time on my stereo.
The five bagatelles get an unusually lot of time. Lovely little jewels.
I can never decide if I like the symphony # 6 more or 5, and fortunately for me, I don't have to. Why, I can listen to the other seven as well, any time I want.
The Symphonic Variations are pretty cool. And all the rest of the chamber music is pretty good. And all the rest of the operas, as well.
I used to think that the cello concerto was THE cello concerto. And then I heard Lutoslawski's.
And then I realized I could listen to any cello concerto by anyone at any time.
These things happen.
[Mirror just encouraged me to read Brian's post. Shoulda done that earlier. It would have reminded me of the two choral pieces I play almost as much as the five bagatelles, Stabat Mater and Requiem. Glorious music!]
Very interesting list, Brian. Actually, you're quite off the mark about me not loving Symphony No. 8. I LOVE it! This idea of me not enjoying something because it's written in a more jovial nature is just preposterous. I love Nielsen...remember? Most of his music is life-affirming in this way. I love Grieg, too and he wrote some remarkable sunlit music. Something doesn't have to be imbued or shrouded in darkness for me to enjoy it. Good music is good music regardless of what kind of emotional state is being conveyed to the listener.
On a side note, so far I've heard zero duds from Dvorak. I didn't think it was possible to like everything I've heard from one composer, but apparently he blows that whole idea out the door.
Orchestral only:
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ('From the New World')
The Noon Witch, Op. 108
Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66
Czech Suite, Op. 39
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 3 ('The Bells of Zlonice')
Somehow I knew this thread was coming. ;)
Let's see, what would I instinctively go for right now...
Piano Trio No.3
String Quartet No.11
String Quartet No.13
Symphony No.8
Nature, Life and Love
But really my Dvorak exploration only picked up steam a couple of years ago and I still don't feel that well versed in many of the pieces that I have recordings of.
Great lists everyone. Keep 'em coming! 8)
Cello Concerto (Tortellier EMI)
Symphony 8
Carnival Overture
New World Symphony
Symphony 6
Very nice list, Jeffrey. I was quite surprised by Carnival when I first heard it. It had some interesting twists and turns. I need to familiarize myself more with Symphony No. 6. I've only heard it 2-3 times in the past seven years.
I'll attempt to make a list even though my knowledge of Dvorak isn't as great as many members here:
String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 13
Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
The Wild Dove, Op. 110
Carnival, Op. 92
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 17, 2016, 03:09:03 AM
Very nice list, Jeffrey. I was quite surprised by Carnival when I first heard it. It had some interesting twists and turns. I need to familiarize myself more with Symphony No. 6. I've only heard it 2-3 times in the past seven years.
Agree John about 'Carnival' it has a moving central section.
Symphony No. 4
Cello Concerto
Othello Overture
String Quartet No. 10
Cypresses for string quartet
*Honourable mention: Serenade for Winds in D minor
Nice list, Ray! 8) I listened to a bit of those Cypresses for string quartet and thought they were lovely.
Piano Concerto
Symphony No.8
String Quintet, op.77
String Quartet No.14
Violin Concerto
Symphony 8 (or his 7th)
Piano quintet op. 81 (along with the String quintet Nr. 3, his best chamber pieces)
Cello concerto
String quintet 3
String quartet 8 or 13
Dvorak has recently become one of my very favorite composers. His music has so much more depth and complexity than it is often given credit for, and only a small fraction of his output is played as often as it should be. I'll limit myself to one work per genre:
Cello Concerto (of course 8))
Symphony no. 8 (but I could've easily gone with 7)
String Quartet no. 13
Piano Trio no. 3
The Water Goblin
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 17, 2016, 03:14:54 AM
I'll attempt to make a list even though my knowledge of Dvorak isn't as great as many members here:
String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 13
Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
The Wild Dove, Op. 110
Carnival, Op. 92
I'm still quite content with this list I must say. 8)
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2017, 10:15:44 AM
Dvorak has recently become one of my very favorite composers. His music has so much more depth and complexity than it is often given credit for, and only a small fraction of his output is played as often as it should be. I'll limit myself to one work per genre:
Cello Concerto (of course 8))
Symphony no. 8 (but I could've easily gone with 7)
String Quartet no. 13
Piano Trio no. 3
The Water Goblin
Great list, Kyle. 8)
Symphony No. 9
Cello Concerto
Symphonic Variations
Requiem
Symphony No. 7
Quote from: Maestro267 on September 25, 2017, 11:46:17 AM
Symphony No. 9
Cello Concerto
Symphonic Variations
Requiem
Symphony No. 7
You remind me I really should give the
Requiem a listen.
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 25, 2017, 11:42:28 AM
I'm still quite content with this list I must say. 8)
Interesting inclusion of the Fourth Symphony in your list, John. Overall, I wasn't too terribly impressed by it the first (and only, so far) time I listened to it, finding it rather clumsily written, but there were some passages that caught my ear and the slow movement is quite beautiful. I'll definitely revisit it soon. As it stands, though, I definitely prefer the surrounding Third and Fifth symphonies, both of which should be much better known IMO.
Symphony no 6
Serenade for winds op 44
Quartet op 96
Quintet op 97
Requiem
I should add symphony no 7 as a "substitute" ! ;D, 5 works only is cruel >:D
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2017, 12:04:16 PM
Interesting inclusion of the Fourth Symphony in your list, John. Overall, I wasn't too terribly impressed by it the first (and only, so far) time I listened to it, finding it rather clumsily written, but there were some passages that caught my ear and the slow movement is quite beautiful. I'll definitely revisit it soon. As it stands, though, I definitely prefer the surrounding Third and Fifth symphonies, both of which should be much better known IMO.
It's funny how opinions can be so different. I don't find the 4th to be 'clumsily written' at all. I hear one inspired measure after another. There's
something about this symphony that I just can't get enough of.
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 25, 2017, 12:18:24 PM
It's funny how opinions can be so different. I don't find the 4th to be 'clumsily written' at all. I hear one inspired measure after another. There's something about this symphony that I just can't get enough of.
Well, we gotta have differing opinions every once in a while ;D I'll definitely be revisiting the 4th soon :)
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2017, 12:22:34 PM
Well, we gotta have differing opinions every once in a while ;D I'll definitely be revisiting the 4th soon :)
Absolutely. :)
Quote from: kyjo on September 25, 2017, 12:04:16 PM
Interesting inclusion of the Fourth Symphony in your list, John
I suppose it is a peculiar GMG thing. The Fourth is loved by a surprising number of us (me, Mrs. Rock Chamber Nut, John).
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 25, 2017, 12:35:39 PM
I suppose it is a peculiar GMG thing. The Fourth is loved by a surprising number of us (me, Mrs. Rock Chamber Nut, John).
Sarge
I do miss Ray (Chamber Nut) a lot. :(
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 25, 2017, 12:35:39 PM
I suppose it is a peculiar GMG thing. The Fourth is loved by a surprising number of us (me, Mrs. Rock, Monkey Greg, Chamber Nut, John).
Sarge
Fixed.
The 4th is a wonderful work!
Well I'm also on record as a 4th fan.
I love Dvorak, but both "The New World" and the cello concerto are overplayed .....IMHO.
He is a master melody/tune maker. I have a soft spot for:
Saint Ludmila /part 3 / Hospodine, pomiluj ny :
https://www.youtube.com/v/MThKGlVNjc8
Two walzes for quartet:
https://www.youtube.com/v/jhvXKol-Cs0
Quartet nr 14 (exquisite slow mov.):
https://www.youtube.com/v/2OAWlfIsDhE
Stabat Mater (go to Duo: Fac ut portem Christi mortem, 1:01:13):
https://www.youtube.com/v/MTPxgiAtTp0
Serenade for strings :
https://www.youtube.com/v/CRcbDMg56yg
Peter
Dumky Piano Trio
String Quartet no.12 American
Symphonies 4, 6 & 8
This is one of those magical threads, where there can be no wrong set of five . . . .
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 26, 2017, 05:41:03 AM
This is one of those magical threads, where there can be no wrong set of five . . . .
This is true,
Karl. In fact, I can't recall ever listening to a Dvorak work I didn't enjoy. The man knew his stuff!
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 26, 2017, 07:03:39 AM
This is true, Karl. In fact, I can't recall ever listening to a Dvorak work I didn't enjoy. The man knew his stuff!
One of the best bits of evidence that he knew his stuff is that he destroyed a lot of his stuff from a particular period. One of the things that survived that period, String Quartet No.2, quite happily slots into the category "Dvorak work I didn't enjoy".
But I can't think of anything from after the purge that I don't enjoy.
I think I might be able to come up with something...(in no particular order)
The Wild Dove, Op. 110
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 13
String Quintet No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 97
Bagatelles, Op. 47
Te Deum, Op. 103
This list is, of course, subject to change, but this was off the top of my head.
Mostly pretty traditional:
Probably:
- 9th Symphony
- Cello Concerto op.104
- The Water Goblin
- Dumky Trio
- Piano Concerto
Symphony No. 9 (also No. 1)
Serenade for winds
The Noon Witch
Ten Legends
Requiem
Difficult to choose (what to leave out), tried to pick from different genre
Symphony No 8 in G major
Rusalka
String Quartet No 12 in F major 'American'
Overture 'In Nature's Realm'
String Serenade (just ahead of the Wind Serenade)
Quote from: André on September 25, 2017, 12:09:45 PM
Symphony no 6
Serenade for winds op 44
Quartet op 96
Quintet op 97
Requiem
I should add symphony no 7 as a "substitute" ! ;D, 5 works only is cruel >:D
After almost 3 years, I see no reason to change the list. I should add the tone poems The Water Goblin and The Noonday Witch as substitute players.
Quote from: Christo on May 13, 2020, 12:58:47 AM
Symphony No. 9 (also No. 1)
Serenade for winds
The Noon Witch
Ten Legends
Requiem
Quote from: Christo on June 14, 2016, 10:15:47 AM
Orchestral only:
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ('From the New World')
The Noon Witch, Op. 108
Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66
Czech Suite, Op. 39
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 3 ('The Bells of Zlonice')
???
Four year update:
Quote from: Brian on June 14, 2016, 06:54:41 AM
String Quartet in G Op. 106
Symphony No. 8. Maaaaaybe my favorite post-Beethoven symphony.
Te Deum.
Possibilities for #4 and #5:
Symphonies 3 (Rowicki, Suitner, or Neumann) and 7 (Lenny, Kubelik, or M-W Chung); Violin Concerto (Suk or Mutter are best; Sporcl's a good runner-up); Cello Concerto (Fournier or Queyras); string quintet Op. 77; "Dumky" Trio; Wild Dove; Water Goblin; Noon-Day Witch; Golden Spinning Wheel (here Mackerras is triumphant); the BIS album of Christian Poltera playing various works for cello and piano.
I'll keep Op. 106 and Symphony No. 8, and for 3-5 I'll go with Piano Quartet No. 2, and the two string quintets Opp. 77 and 97.
Symphony No. 7 in D minor
Symphony No. 4... in D minor
Symphony No. 8? in G major
String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major
String Quintet No. 2 in E-flat major
Violin Concerto
Romance for violin & orchestra
Slavonic Dances (both sets)
Scherzo capriccioso
Carnival Overture
Czech Suite
Bagatelles for string trio & harmonium
I think that's approximately 5. The essentials, at least.
I'm in danger of having to add some song cycles to the list. Such tunes.
Quote from: Madiel on May 13, 2020, 02:18:18 PM
I'm in danger of having to add some song cycles to the list. Such tunes.
And I'd most definitely approve. ;) :D
Quote from: Madiel on September 26, 2017, 01:38:24 AM
Well I'm also on record as a 4th fan.
And you deserve a high five for this! :)
Quote from: Brian on May 13, 2020, 11:31:29 AM
Four year update:
I'll keep Op. 106 and Symphony No. 8, and for 3-5 I'll go with Piano Quartet No. 2, and the two string quintets Opp. 77 and 97.
Fine supplements, although I hate seeing the
Te Deum go.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 26, 2017, 05:41:03 AM
This is one of those magical threads, where there can be no wrong set of five . . . .
Indeed. 8)
Definitely can't go wrong with most anything. I should include one of the quartets, but can't choose at the moment, so:
Serenade for Strings
Slavonic Dances (all of them)
Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 7
Symphony No. 8
--Bruce
Maybe we should do a Slavonic Dances poll!
(Op. 46 Nos. 3, 7 - Op. 72 Nos. 2, 5, 7)
1. Stabat Mater
2. The Jacobin (honestly the rest of this list would be his operas)
3. The Water Goblin (but all of The Erben Symphonic Poems)
4. Cypresses
5. Slavonic Dances
Quote from: Brian on May 13, 2020, 06:18:17 PM
Maybe we should do a Slavonic Dances poll!
(Op. 46 Nos. 3, 7 - Op. 72 Nos. 2, 5, 7)
Op. 46 Nos. 1, 3, 5 - Op. 72 Nos. 2, 4, 5. If you had to hold me to just one, Op. 46 No. 3.
(As ordered in the orchestral version.)
Quote from: Brian on May 13, 2020, 06:18:17 PM
Maybe we should do a Slavonic Dances poll!
(Op. 46 Nos. 3, 7 - Op. 72 Nos. 2, 5, 7)
Orchestra or piano?
String Serenade
Slavonic Dances (all of them, orchestral)
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 7 or 8 (pick your choice; going by the Scherzo alone, it's 7 for me)
Piano Quintet op. 81
American SQ
It's actually 6 but it could have easily been 10 or 15. ;D
Pretty difficult task. Inspired by
@hopefullytrusting Currently, in no order are my 5:
String Quartet No. 10 in E flat, Op. 51
Serenade for Winds in D minor, Op. 44
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60
Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88
String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77
Quote from: Franco_Manitobain on January 11, 2025, 10:13:53 AMPretty difficult task. Inspired by @hopefullytrusting
Currently, in no order are my 5:
String Quartet No. 10 in E flat, Op. 51
Serenade for Winds in D minor, Op. 44
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60
Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88
String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77
My current, which will surely change tomorrow (and the day after, on and on) is:
String Quintet No. 2
Stabat Mater
A Hero's Song
String Quartet No. 14
Symphony No. 3
Quote from: hopefullytrusting on January 11, 2025, 10:21:21 AMMy current, which will surely change tomorrow (and the day after, on and on) is:
String Quintet No. 2
Stabat Mater
A Hero's Song
String Quartet No. 14
Symphony No. 3
What a wonderfully unhackneyed list! My current list would look something like:
Cello Concerto (No. 2) in B minor
Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor Dumky
String Quartet No. 13 in G major
Symphony No. 7 in D minor
Vodník (The Water Goblin)Honorable mentions: Symphonies Nos. 3 and 8, Piano Trio No. 3, Piano Quintet No. 2, String Quartet No. 14,
Holoubek (The Wild Dove), Requiem,
Rusalka, etc. etc.
In case it wasn't already apparent, I love Dvorak's music endlessly! ;D
Hmmm...
I've played Symphony no.8 and the Cello Concerto, so I'll include those.
Symphonic Dances, the American String Quartet and Symphony No. 9 comprise the remainder.
What's "symphonic dances"? Do you mean Slavonic?
Quote from: Christo on May 13, 2020, 12:58:47 AMSymphony No. 9 (also No. 1)
Serenade for winds
The Noon Witch
Ten Legends
Requiem
Quote from: Christo on June 14, 2016, 10:15:47 AMOrchestral only:
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ('From the New World')
The Noon Witch, Op. 108
Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66
Czech Suite, Op. 39
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 3 ('The Bells of Zlonice')
???
Quote from: Madiel on January 31, 2025, 09:46:56 PMWhat's "symphonic dances"? Do you mean Slavonic?
Oops... good catch, l was maybe thinking of Rachmaninoff. :laugh:
Slavonic Dances it is.
Quote from: LKB on February 01, 2025, 12:16:09 AMOops... good catch, l was maybe thinking of Rachmaninoff. :laugh:
Slavonic Dances it is.
Cool. I mean, I
love the Symphonic Dances, just maybe not in this poll. ;D
And there is the Slavonic Rhapsodies too, so I confuse those with the Dances.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 25, 2017, 02:39:47 PMThe 4th is a wonderful work!
Quote from: Madiel on September 26, 2017, 01:38:24 AMWell I'm also on record as a 4th fan.
For various and complicated reasons, the
Symphony #4 is an all-around fave for me!
The
Serenade for Strings is also at or near the top!
Has anyone mentioned the
Stabat Mater ?
Jiri Belohavlek, Czech Philharmonic:
Favourite works that are NOT his symphonies:
- Requiem and Stabat Mater. I have trouble choosing one. They are like the same coin, with two faces: judgment and retribution on the one hand (Requiem), desolation followed by consolation on the other.
- American Quartet (op 96) and String Quintet op 97. Same comment: it's impossible to choose one above the other.
- Both Serenades - for strings and for winds. How could Dvorak do this ? Two winners in different disciplines - like floor gymnastics vs diving at the olympics.
- Slavonic Dances op. 46. Yup. Op 46 only. There are fine things in the op. 72 set, but I've always felt Dvorak's musical sap was diluted.
The Erben symphonic Poems, but especially The Water Goblin and The Noonday Witch.
Okay, that's 9 works in all but who cares ? 😆
Quote from: André on February 01, 2025, 03:45:44 PM- Slavonic Dances op. 46. Yup. Op 46 only. There are fine things in the op. 72 set, but I've always felt Dvorak's musical sap was diluted.
Yes, that has always been my feeling! The second set is tamer, perhaps, still good, but not as visceral as the earlier group.
There is no sense for me to list my top 5 since I know so little of his music, but I feel 2025 could a year to explore it more. I seem to be into his chamber music.