Classical Music Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Best Recording of Dvorak Symphonies 7/8?

Jump to Latest
38K views 57 replies 46 participants last post by  Neo Romanza  
K
#1 ·
Looking for a powerful but well-recorded cd.
Thanks,
Kogami
 
#6 · (Edited)
I gotta go with Kubelik for both symphonies, in fact I'll go with his set (maybe not available that way) of 5 through 9. His 8th in particular, because it avoids the schmaltsiness that is a characteristic of many interpretations.

[Oops. I'm referring to the DG LP recordings. What's on CD I dunno.]
 
#13 ·
My preference for the entire set of symphonies is Otmar Suitner:

Image


But I also love Kubelik and Talich.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haziz, Merl, Larkenfield and 2 others
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 · (Edited)
Resurrecting this thread discussing two of my very favourite symphonies.
I very much enjoy Dohnanyi/Cleveland and Harnoncourt/Concertgebouw in both of these. Harnoncourt perhaps more in 8 than 7, where he seems more Germanic than lyrical - but perhaps that is 7.
Kertesz's 8 is very fine too, and I really like a 7 I have by Kosler/Slovak Phil - very idiomatic. This cheap-as-chips Kosler twofer below is one of my favourite discs, also containing beautiful versions of 5 and 6 and two of Dvorak's wonderful symphonic poems.

Talking of idiomatic, I'm just now listening to Talich/Czech Phil's 8 on YouTube. Even through the rather poor sound I can tell it's special...
 
#19 ·
Steve Wright - I am listening now to the Talich/Czech Dvorak 8th on YouTube.

It is a very transparent recording. No room or hall reflections. It must have been done in a very "dry" studio. Of course this makes it possible to hear each section and each note very clearly.

Do you primarily prefer a dry sound? Or is it the musicianship of the orchestra that attracts you? Nothing in the tempos or interpretation by the conductor seems unusual to my ears.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#20 ·
Truckload said:
Steve Wright - I am listening now to the Talich/Czech Dvorak 8th on YouTube.

It is a very transparent recording. No room or hall reflections. It must have been done in a very "dry" studio. Of course this makes it possible to hear each section and each note very clearly.

Do you primarily prefer a dry sound? Or is it the musicianship of the orchestra that attracts you? Nothing in the tempos or interpretation by the conductor seems unusual to my ears.
Click to expand...
You must have found a better clip than me. I simply meant that the version I found seemed rather scratchy and also at moments had that strange - and forgive me, I am no sound technician - warping of notes (tape flub?).
But even through all that, I could tell that this was a splendid Eighth. I could hear different, and I assume more Czech, intonation than, say, the very fine but perhaps more dialect-neutral (?) Dohnanyi version.
 
#21 ·
The Dohnanyi/Cleveland is indeed very good, or if you prefer, George Szell also recorded both pieces (and the 9th "New World") with Cleveland as well. The Szell would probably be the musically superior of the two (although Dohnanyi is certainly no hack), while the Dohnanyi will offer the better sound quality.

As for Kertesz vs. Kubelik, having heard both sets, I find that each conductor is, in his own way, roughly equally fine. One factor that might make a difference depending on one's listening taste is that Kertesz recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra while Kubelik recorded with the Berliner Philharmoniker. So if you have a strong preference between those two orchestras, then that might tip the scale for you.
Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
K
#29 · (Edited)
Musically speaking, Pesek's recordings of 7 & 8 with the Royal Liverpool PO are very good. The sound quality is a tad bit thin though. It's not bad, but you might find Kertesz, Szell, and Dorati to be better. I say that if you get the Pesek recordings (it's a wonderful set for a very good price), listen to them at a slightly higher volume than what you're used to. That mostly offsets the thinness.
 
#32 · (Edited)
I've spent a happy morning trying out various 8ths on Spotify.
Most are duffers, to be honest, just too slow and dreary to a greater or lesser extent for such gloriously joyous music.
It's Kertesz for me. With Kubelik not far behind. Shame about the sound with Talich - but he does get a bit frantic at times!
But have a go with Barbirolli - Glorious John does a mighty fine job and in good sound, too. Upbeat and exhilarating, keeps the pace up - very nice indeed. A close second for me.

 
#34 ·
Jerry said:
I've spent a happy morning trying out various 8ths on Spotify.
Most are duffers, to be honest, just too slow and dreary to a greater or lesser extent for such gloriously joyous music.
It's Kertesz for me. With Kubelik not far behind.

Click to expand...
I have these two, both very fine. And I agree, you want a good 8th to have plenty of exuberance. I learned the piece from Dohnanyi and Cleveland - and they must have done a good job as I adore it, and haven't particularly found a version I prefer. Anyone know Dohnanyi's recordings of the last three?
 
Classical Music Forum
posts
2.8M
members
47K
Since
2004
A forum community dedicated to classical music for musicians and other enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about composers, compositions, arrangements, collections, recordings, techniques, instruments, styles, reviews, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Classical Music Discussion Classical Music Games and Polls Off Topic Pub Opera Non-Classical Music