Dvorak's Den

[Jo498]

I just listened to a very good Czech Suite with Wit on Naxos but my suggestion is to go for Thomas Hengelbrock's new Sony disc with (I think) the NDR orchestra - it is coupled with one of the best, most dramatic, most rhythmically precise Fourth Symphony recordings. (Wit's disc may fill some gaps in your collection, however: Hero's Song, Hussite Overture, Festival March.)

Thanks! I ordered the Wit precisely because it does fill more gaps (I have the Hussite but not "Hero's Song" and that march). The Hengelbrock is on my list  but I am afraid I don't care enough about the 4th to get another recording in addition to Rowicki and Kertesz.

[Brian]

Thanks! I ordered the Wit precisely because it does fill more gaps (I have the Hussite but not "Hero's Song" and that march). The Hengelbrock is on my list  but I am afraid I don't care enough about the 4th to get another recording in addition to Rowicki and Kertesz.

With Rowicki you already have another of the best 4ths, anyways, so that would not necessarily be an upgrade. Good decision. Wit's Hussite is radically different from, say, Kubelik's, in a slower, more eloquent/less hectic manner I prefer.

[Karl Henning]

I had an agonizing 75-minute drive down to Quincy, along with all the afternoon commuter traffic, yesterday.

Don't know that my mind would have held out, if I hadn't had the Seventh Symphony with me to listen to.

[Jo498]

I bought the set of Rowicki's 4-6 in early october 2004 on a trip in California (probably bought it at Tower records in Downtown San Francisco) and some of the music, especially the 4th (because I had not know this one at all before) will alwas be connected with driving south from San Francisco, along the coast and then into the desert towards Death valley

[Jo498]

Apparently there was an early 1970s? Teldec recording of the op.45 Rhapsodies (no op.14?) to fill out a 2 LP set of the Slavonic dances by Vaclav Neumann. But as the Dances fit on one CD the Rhapsodies have apparently been "orphaned"; only one of them appeared as a filler for a disk with dances and marches by Fucik, also conducted by Neumann.

[cilgwyn]

I had an agonizing 75-minute drive down to Quincy, along with all the afternoon commuter traffic, yesterday.

Don't know that my mind would have held out, if I hadn't had the Seventh Symphony with me to listen to.

I've experienced quite a few agonising minutes of Quincy,in my time. Right through to the crummy joke in the restaurant at the end!

[Madiel]

The Dvorak listening has turned into a major symphony binge over the last few days. I'd already listened to several over the course of the month, but now I've listened to the 5th, 9th, 4th, 8th and 6th, each of them more than once.

Not sure if I'll have time for the 7th before bed...

[Mirror Image]

The Dvorak listening has turned into a major symphony binge over the last few days. I'd already listened to several over the course of the month, but now I've listened to the 5th, 9th, 4th, 8th and 6th, each of them more than once.

Not sure if I'll have time for the 7th before bed...

Great stuff, orfeo. I actually like all of Dvorak's symphonies. Not a dud in the bunch. I even like The Bells of Zlonice, which gets a lot of negative feedback from listeners it seems. I think the 4th, however, maybe my personal favorite.

I'm going to revisit his Cello Concerto later (the Rostropovich/HvK recording).

[Madiel]

I don't yet know the first three. But actually it was the 4th that surprised me this time around with how much I liked it. There's definitely a touch of Wagner about it, but not too much.

[Mirror Image]

I don't yet know the first three. But actually it was the 4th that surprised me this time around with how much I liked it. There's definitely a touch of Wagner about it, but not too much.

I was quite taken aback by how good it was when I first heard last month, although I may have heard it before, but I certainly don't remember. The last movement, in particular, has some persistent, ferocious rhythms. In a small way, some of these rhythms reminded of Bruckner.

[cilgwyn]

I love that mysterious opening! Must give it another spin,soon. I've just been listening through a pile of Dvorak orchestral works. Supraphon cds of Ancerl's Sixth and Ninth (a replacement for an earlier cd) and Jarvi's (Chandos) Fifth came through the letterbox only this week. Chalabala's recording of the Erben poems only last week. The live recordings of Ancerl on Orfeo were great. I do like it when the audience wait for the breaks in between to cough!! I wasn't happy with the state of the booklet and case,though. It looked like someone had dropped their breakfast on it,or something worse;but the Seller gave me a speedy refund!

[cilgwyn]

I dig that mysterious opening! I bought the Kertesz recording recently. I had the Naxos recording before that. Okay,but this one did it for me. Anyone heard the Suitner recording?

Nice to see I was "digging it" on page 18! And I still am!! I've since disposed of the Naxos recording;although I don't think it was that bad. The Suitner is now available at a bargain price. Symphonies 4 & 5 are arranged in order;as are all the symphonies in the set. Some people seem to rate this set highly. One review I read mentioned a squeaky  (or creaky?) chair in the recording of the Fourth which,I remember,put me off!
I love the rhythms in the Fourth. Very exciting;although I listened to the Rowicki recording,yesterday. I think you've got to be a bit of a misery not enjoy the Fourth. Annoyingly,the Fourth seems to be a bit neglected if you just want it on a single cd. The Jarvi Fourth on Chandos is coupled with Brian Rayner Cook singing his Biblical Songs in English. I like Jarvi's Dvorak,but,I don't like the sound of that!! Not that I wouldn't like the songs,but Brian Rayner Cook?!!
The Neumann set looks absolutely great. A bit pricey,as yet (incredible value for money as it is) so I'll have to wait. It is nice to see that there are no breaks in the symphonies,where you have to put on another cd to hear the remainder. Very annoying!. This put me off the previous sets. One question I would like to put to lucky owners of this set. How much room does this take? Is it one of those slimline sets with the cds in card sleeves? Or will I have to build an extension to house it?!!

[Sergeant Rock]

Nice to see I was "digging it" on page 18! And I still am!! I've since disposed of the Naxos recording;although I don't think it was that bad. The Suitner is now available at a bargain price. Symphonies 4 & 5 are arranged in order;as are all the symphonies in the set. Some people seem to rate this set highly. One review I read mentioned a squeaky  (or creaky?) chair in the recording of the Fourth which,I remember,put me off!

Suitner's Fourth, the first movement, is rather slow and laidback and missing some orchestral detail. He also omits the repeat. Not a first choice

I love the rhythms in the Fourth. Very exciting;although I listened to the Rowicki recording,yesterday. I think you've got to be a bit of a misery not enjoy the Fourth. Annoyingly,the Fourth seems to be a bit neglected if you just want it on a single cd. The Jarvi Fourth on Chandos is coupled with Brian Rayner Cook singing his Biblical Songs in English. I like Jarvi's Dvorak,but,I don't like the sound of that!! Not that I wouldn't like the songs,but Brian Rayner Cook?!!

Two very good "single" Fourths are Hengelbrock/NDR (swift and ferocious with a great coupling in the Czech Suite) and Pesek/Czech Phil (with a slower first movement than Hengelbrock, but more detailed, more rhythmically incisive, and far more passionate than Suitner).

The Neumann set looks absolutely great. A bit pricey,as yet (incredible value for money as it is) so I'll have to wait. It is nice to see that there are no breaks in the symphonies,where you have to put on another cd to hear the remainder. Very annoying!. This put me off the previous sets. One question I would like to put to lucky owners of this set. How much room does this take? Is it one of those slimline sets with the cds in card sleeves? Or will I have to build an extension to house it?!!

Neumann's box is quite compact. Just an inch wide, holding marvelous performances of the symphonies, tone poems and overtures, all laid out perfectly (e.g., the overtures on one disc, in proper order).

Sarge

[cilgwyn]

Thanks,Sarge. Good! I'd be listening out for that squeaky chair (or toy?! How do they know it's furniture making that noise?!! ). Also,I'm not really that fired by the idea of an East German orchestras doing Dvorak. Not that East German orchestras weren't good,of course. Just not Dvorak,for some reason. Of course there could be a Suitner admirer out there who will disagree. If so,speak now or forever hold your peace. (Okay,you don't have to forever!!) And now for the alternatives without the possiblity of strange squeaking noises disturbing my listening. Hengelbrock sounds good. I haven't got the Czech Suite. I do remember looking at that one,but I couldn't find a review. I wanted a cd with No 4 first;which is why I ended up with the Naxos cd. I'm talking about single cds as opposed to collections,I should emphasise. Jarvi's Chandos recording,as I say,was ruled out by the choice of coupling. You only have to spend an hour,or so,hunting for a single cd with No 4 placed FIRST,to find out how neglected this symphony is in this format....box sets,yes;but on it's own,preferably followed by No 5...NO! I also like to hear the symphony FIRST,then the Symphonic poem or Suite,if that is what is chosen (instead of a symphony). I'm very fussy aren't I?
Regarding the dimensions of the Supraphon box. Just an inch wide,and all that inside. I love the minimalist design,too. Cool!

[cilgwyn]

You really know your Fourth,Sarge!

[Mirror Image]

Cilgwyn, I HIGHLY recommend getting that Neumann Supraphon set. It's worth it's weight in gold. Sizzling performances from start to finish. If you can get it for $35 or cheaper, jump on it. You won't regret it!

[cilgwyn]

And only an inch wide!!

[Mirror Image]

And only an inch wide!!

When the music is this good, everything else is of no importance.

[cilgwyn]

Agreed! It's just getting a bit cramped here! I'm looking at attic space!! I did consider the Neumann recordings a while back,but at the time,the only available cds had the movements of some of the symphonies split between cds. I find this annoying,so that was the end of that. I did,however,buy the Neumann cd of the Erben Symphonic poems. Now Supraphon have finally solved the problem. That said,it will have to wait a bit longer. The deluge of cds and dvds here has been of Biblical proportions of late!! Neumann is one of my favourite conductors,however;and hey......why buy Suitner when you can buy Neumann,eh?!!

[Mirror Image]

Agreed! It's just getting a bit cramped here! I'm looking at attic space!! I did consider the Neumann recordings a while back,but at the time,the only available cds had the movements of some of the symphonies split between cds. I find this annoying,so that was the end of that. I did,however,buy the Neumann cd of the Erben Symphonic poems. Now Supraphon have finally solved the problem. That said,it will have to wait a bit longer. The deluge of cds and dvds here has been of Biblical proportions of late!! Neumann is one of my favourite conductors,however;and hey......why buy Suitner when you can buy Neumann,eh?!!

It is very possible you're referring to Neumann's second cycle on Supraphon (re: the split-up symphonies over two discs). To my knowledge, his first cycle had never seen a commercial release until that dark purple set (Symphonic Works) was released. Someone more knowledgeable about the Dvorak discography may have to correct me here, but this is all based on what I remember reading.