Antonín Dvorák: Overtures, Symphonic Poems, Symphonic Variations

On this CD:

1. My Home (Domov muj), concert overture (arr. from Josef Kajetán Tyl, B. 125), B. 125a (Op. 62)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

2. Hussite Overture (Husitska dramaticka ouvertura) for orchestra, B. 132 (Op. 67)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

3. In Nature's Realm (V prírode), concert overture, B. 168 (Op. 91)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

4. Carnival (Karneval), concert overture, B. 169 (Op. 92)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

5. Othello, concert overture, B. 174 (Op. 93)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

6. The Water Goblin (Vodník), symphonic poem, B. 195 (Op. 107)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

7. The Noon Witch (Polednice), symphonic poem, B. 196 (Op. 108)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

8. The Golden Spinning Wheel (Zlatý kolovrat), symphonic poem, B. 197 (Op. 109)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

9. The Wild Dove (Holoubek), symphonic poem for orchestra, B. 198 (Op. 110)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

10. Symphonic Variations for orchestra (on "I am a Fiddler" B. 66/3), B. 70 (Op. 78)
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
One of the very greatest collections of Dvorák recordings in the catalog, this set contains the four late tone poems based on folk legends, all of the major overtures (including the In Nature's Realm, Carnival, and Othello trilogy), and the magnificent Symphonic Variations. That's over two and a half hours of the some of the most colorful, appealing music in the history of the universe, all magnificently performed and recorded. If you don't own this set, you haven't lived. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Price and quality.......2007-02-05

This is indeed a fabulous set of recordings. Kuchar is underrated but continually well represented on Cd. I agree with the previous reviewer,the Janacek Philharmonic may not be Vienna,Berlin or Philadelphia but they're a lot more exciting to listen to than those more well regarded bands. Nearly everyone of these performances is first rate and they seem to have been recorded at a very high level. This sometimes makes the performances sound a bit frenetic and noisy at times(Carnival Overture especially)but for the asking price of these three disks,you'd be a fool to pay more. Pretty boys like the overrated Rattle can't hold a baton to Kuchar in this or any other repetoire. Buy it before Brillaint Classics decides to raise the price.

Lyrical, youthful and exciting........2005-06-24

I've listened to this recording so many times in the past 2 months. I learned the symphonic poems and overtures on the old 4-LP box set released in the U.S. as Legend (LGDD 101). Conducted variously by Chalabala (op. 107-110); Ancerl (op. 62, 67, 91-93); Neumann (op. 78); and Klima (op. 111) it was a place to start, but not wholly satisfying. Then came the Kubelik recordings on Deutsche Grammophon LP: I never felt that he got to the heart of Dvorak like Kertesz did. Next, for me was the Jarvi set. Better. Good clean readings. Good tempos and dynamics. I tried the Harnoncourt readings with the Concergebouw: made me think of Kubelik. Way too smooth and Brahmsian. The discs "in hand" with Theodore Kuchar and the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra are really fabulous. I get the sonic impression that this is a "young" orchestra. There is a delight and fire in their playing that is truly infectious. The "line" is fluid. They know where they're going. This is music making at its finest. Not just technique and notes but a complete concept of the entire work. Like standing at the far end of a gallery and taking in a big painting. It's about the big work, not just the details. This is available at a great price and I strongly recommend these performances. There is joy and passion in Dvorak. Kuchar and the Janacek Phil. players know this and they deliver. Enjoy!

Antonín Dvorák: Overtures, Symphonic Poems, Symphonic Variations

Average customer rating:

Rereleased

Antonín Dvorák: Overtures, Symphonic Poems, Symphonic Variations

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001GFK
Release Date: 1992-02-11

Tracks:

Overtures: My Home
Overtures: The Hussite Song
Overtures: Amid Nature
Overtures: Carnival
Overtures: Othello
Symphonic Poems

Tracks:

The Noonday Witch
The Golden Spinning Wheel
The Wood Dove
Symphonic Variations on an Original Theme

Amazon.com

One of the very greatest collections of Dvorák recordings in the catalog, this set contains the four late tone poems based on folk legends, all of the major overtures (including the In Nature's Realm, Carnival, and Othello trilogy), and the magnificent Symphonic Variations. That's over two and a half hours of the some of the most colorful, appealing music in the history of the universe, all magnificently performed and recorded. If you don't own this set, you haven't lived. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Rereleased.......2002-06-23

This has just be rereleased, along with the Slavonic Dances, as part of a bargain-priced 3-CD set.