Bedrich Smetana: Má Vlast

On this CD:

1. Má Vlast (My Fatherland), symphonic poems (6), JB 1:112
Composed by Bedrich Smetana
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Rafael Kubelik

Tracks:

Variations (Twinkle, Twinkle), K265/300e
Minuet In G From Anna Magdalena
Piano Sonata In C, K 545, 2nd Movement
Spring Song
Piano Sonata In D, K 576, 3rd Movement
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147
Canon
The Moldau
Preludes Book II, Clair De Lune
Sonata No.14 (Moonlight), 2nd Movement, Op.27
Symphony No.9, New World
Fur Elise, WoO 59
The Four Seasons, Winter, RV267, 2nd Movement
Orchestral Suite No.3 In D, Air, BWV 1068
Sonata No.8 (Pathetique), 2nd Movement, Op.13
Kinderscene, Op.15
Waltz No.15, Lullaby

Product Description

The Lullaby Classics A Concert for Little Ears music CD is a 17-track, 35-minute concert featuring a collection of soothing classical melodies perfect to calm little ones as they wind down for nap time, bedtime or a bit of quiet time. Each piece, re-orchestrated for little ears by the Baby Einstein Music Box Orchestra, was specially selected to lull babies into sweet, blissful dreams. Lullaby Classics opens with ?Ç£Twinkle, Twinkle?Ç¥ variations by Mozart and includes calming and delightful melodies from composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak and Debussy. It ends with Brahms' ?Ç£Lullaby?Ç¥ tucking baby in for a cozy, restful sleep.Musical Selections:1. Variations (Twinkle, Twinkle), K265/300e, Mozart2. Minuet In G From Anna Magdalena, Bach3. Piano Sonata In C, K 545, 2nd Movement, Mozart4. Spring Song, Mendelssohn5. Piano Sonata In D, K 576, 3rd Movement, Mozart6. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, BWV 147, Bach7. Canon, Pachelbel8. The Moldau, Smetana9. Preludes Book II, Clair De Lune, Debussy10. Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight), 2nd Movement, Op. 27, Beethoven11. Symphony No. 9, New World , Dvorak12. Fur Elise, WoO 59, Beethoven13. The Four Seasons, Winter, RV297, 2nd Movement, Vivaldi14. Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D, Air, BWV 1068, Bach15. Sonata No. 8 (Pathetique), 2nd Movement, Op. 13, Beethoven16. Kinderscene Op.15, Schumann17. Waltz No 15, Lullaby, Brahms Age: birth +Awards:* Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award (2005)* National Parenting Center Seal of Approval (2004)* National Parenting Publications Awards (2004)

Customer Reviews:

Lame.......2007-07-22

I was really disappointed in this CD. I was expecting a toned-down version of real classical music, but it sounds really fake and tinkley and weird. Not soothing at all.

Sounds like a cheap plastic toy.......2007-06-20

I have these DVD's and I can tell you that they will not be a huge part of my baby's development. I received them as a gift from someone that thinks that all you need to do is plunk your child in front of a TV all day without giving the baby any attention. You can see why these DVD's are popular at Day Care Centers or what I like to call, "Concentration camps for baby's with lazy parents", because they know that they can sit their kid/baby in front of the TV and let them turn into a thoughtless zombie while they listen to Baby Einstein totally ruin classics by Bach and DeBussy by playing the music with very cheap midi keyboards. I can get better quality music by whistling Dixie with a mouth-full of saltine crackers.

Also, it has been proven that classical music has nothing to do with the cognitive development of young people. Now, teach them how to play piano or violin and you have yourself an actual YOUNG EINSTEIN, but listening to this kind of music does nothing for the development of the brain. It is just for lazy parents that can't sit down with their kids and play with them or read them a book.

would make you sleepy.........2007-06-15

its a good product with very fine music and my toddler realizes that it is sleep time, if I play it. he goes to bed and sleeps after a couple songs. I have trouble in some songs are some months.. dont know why.

Kid's Music.......2007-06-08

I bought this CD for my grandniece, but after listening to it, I determined that no one would ever play this for her except me. I would have kept it for myself but I have the grown-up versions of each of the classical masterpieces on this CD. So, I ended up returning it for a full refund. If you want your kids to be exposed to classicl music, it's a great buy. But if you don't think they will get to listen to it, don't waste your time.

Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics

Not soothing.......2007-06-07

These synthesizer versions of classical songs get really old, really fast. Worse yet, the songs are sometimes not soothing at all, especially the very first song. The song seems to get particularly loud and uptempo, which is precisely what you don't expect in a lullaby. Please listen to the sample of the first song at least before you buy.

Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72

Average customer rating:

Obra-prima
Magical
I enjoyed it.
Beautiful...

Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture
Sibelius: Finlandia/Tone Poems.
Symphonie Fantastique
Dvorak: 3 Great Symphonies

ASIN: B000001G4X
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Moldau (Vitava): The Moldau (Vltava)
From Bohemia's Meadows And Forests
Slavonic Dances Op.46: No. 1 in C Major: Presto
Slavonic Dances Op.46: No. 2 In E Minor: Allegretto Schezando
Slavonic Dances Op.46: No. 3 In A Flat Major: Poco Allegro
Slavonic Dances Op.46: No. 4 In F Major: Tempo di Minuetto
Slavonic Dances Op.46: No.6 In D Major: Allegretto Scherzando
Slavonic Dances Op.46: No.7 In C Minor: Alegro assai
Slavonic Dances Op.72: No.2 in E minor: Allegretto Grazioso
Slavonic Dances Op.72: No.8 In A Flat Mijor: Grazioso e lento, ma non troppo, quasi Tempo di Valse

Customer Reviews:

Obra-prima.......2007-05-13

Smetana não é muito difundido, mas "O Moldávia", parte integrante do poema sinfônico "Minha Pátria", é uma obra-prima da música clássica. Ao que parece, Rafael Kubelik, tanto no comando da sinfônica de Boston, quanto da orquestra sinfônica da rádio Bávara, dão um show de interpretação e lirismo. A gravação, como era esperado, não é boa, pois é muito antiga, mas artisticamenté a composição e execução são piramidais. Existem vários cds com esta obra com Rafael Kubelik, variando muito a técnica de gravação, mas a música em si é difícil de esquecer, eu mesmo fico com a melodia na minha cabeça todos os dias. Tem um cd da Mercury que nem estéreo é, contendo o poema completo, é magnífico, mesmo com chiados. Imperdível todos eles.

Magical.......2003-10-12

While listening to this CD, I had the undeniable feeling that I was outside breathing in the fresh air, relaxing in the sunshine listening to the sounds of a babbling brook and this glorious music!

I enjoyed it........2001-12-17

I enjoyed it, that's about all I can say. Couldn't fault it.

Beautiful..........2000-07-08

I love "The Moldau". It is one of the most prettiest works by Smetna. I still get chills from repeated listening.

Average customer rating:

the best Ma Vlast
Kubelik and the Czechs play Smetana
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Excellent heart-felt performance!
The epitome of beauty

Smetana: Má Vlast

Manufacturer: Supraphon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Smetana: Má Vlast
Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky / Abbado
Debussy: Orchestral Music
Dvorák: The Symphonies

ASIN: B00000DFMX
Release Date: 1998-11-01

Tracks:

My Country: Vysehrad
My Country: Vltava
My Country: Sarka
My Country: From Bohemia's Woods And Fields
My Country: Tabor
My Country: Blanik

Customer Reviews:

the best Ma Vlast.......2007-05-06

this is a must have for any classical music lover. it's a powerful piece that took me through a variety of emotional highs. this particular recording is special indeed.Kubelik is a master. i rate it as the finest Ma Vlast i've ever heard. beautiful!!!

Kubelik and the Czechs play Smetana.......2005-09-10

I've always thought Smetana a fine composer of chamber music, but have never gotten really excited about his signature work. Thanks to this wonderful recording by Kubelik and the Czechs, I can now say that this is one of my favorite 19th century orchestral works. Kubelik obviously understood and identified with Smetana and his conducting shows it. I have listened to this work many times over the years, but after hearing this recording I can truly say that I really heard it for the first time.

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.......2005-08-14

Best sound quality and glorious performance. I also listened to Ma vlast performed by Chicago Orchestra and I missed something - I missed the heard and power in the music. thanks this recording by conducting of Rafael Kubik I could really enjoy it.

Excellent heart-felt performance! .......2005-06-03

I just bought this CD on a tour of Eastern Europe. This particular CD was highly recommended by a CD music shop owner in Prague. He told me that among all the CD versions he has heard of this piece, this one was the most emotionally heart-rendering and moving. I listened to it and I agree. It is absolutely wonderful.

What other reviewers may not realize is that this recording is special for 2 other reasons: 1) This 1990 recording is historically significant because it follows the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Hungary where Communism was overthrown and freedom bells were heard all throughout Eastern Europe. 2) Rafael Kubelik's return to conducting after a long absence and his conducting of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

You must understand the emotional feelings of all the Eastern Europeans after the fall of Communism in 1989, the conducting of their most beloved piece by Smetana, and the playing by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

It is an outstanding performance & recording, as other reviewers have expressed so well. Listen to it and think in light of the freedom that just came to the Czechs and Hungarians due to many years of oppression.

Highly recommended!

The epitome of beauty.......2005-03-04

I really don't see the point in sitting here and repeating what everyone has written so, well, I'll just tell you why I bought three copies of this disc.

I was fortunate to get this CD as a gift many years ago, and I honestly wore it out. This recording is of a quality that one rarely gets to experience. The amount of emotion, and yet, control, that the members of the orchestra exhibit is amazing.

Vysehrad.
I was caught off guard. The harp breathes a story of such beauty, that it just invites you in to the rest of the piece. Conflict ensues, and you are hooked. The orchestra does a fabulous job of projecting confidence, which this piece requires, and does not for a minute sway into the arena of monotony: basically, they don't LET it get boring.

Vltava.

Ah, beautiful Vltava: the defining moment of this CD. As I sit here, I am listening to a Telarc recording of Vltava and grumble as I hear how harsh it sounds. Telarc has always impressed me with what they have to offer, but in this case Supraphon got it right. Honestly, this piece brought me to tears the first time I heard it. The flute performance is simply compelling, not to mention the amount of acoustical ambience that is kept with the recording. As the main melody kicks in, the string section does a magnificent job of bellowing out the melody. Of importance is the tempo. The Telarc recording is always off. Perhaps it is due to a "Miles Davis' `Kind of Blue' " - type error or perhaps it is due to the actual performers themselves, but in the end, it is completely off. This Supraphon recording hits it perfectly. The tempo is emotional, with various fluxes here and there, but it results in something truly brilliant that I am sure you will enjoy.

From Bohemia's Woods And Fields .....Great performance. Nothing else to say about it.

I have to go...but to sum it up:

if you enjoy classical music that displays true control of emotion, classical music that moves you but that doesn't get lost in itself, classical music that exhibits sonic perfection, classical music that defines passion for how wonderful and acute it can be...

this is the CD to get....

Perhaps the reason I have so much to say is because I am a violinist:o

P.S. ...let's get back to why I have to buy this CD for a third time. As it turns out, CDs are not indestructible, and if you play them practically 24hours a day, they tend to get scratched. ;)

Dvorák: Symphonie No. 9; Smetana: Moldau

Average customer rating:

Beautiful melodies
top notch
Excellent recording and a fine effort by old man Karajan
Five stars for the sound
The "New World" Symphony

Dvorák: Symphonie No. 9; Smetana: Moldau

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,
Grieg: Peer Gynt Suites/ Holberg Suite
Bizet: L'Arlesienne / Carmen Suites
Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO

ASIN: B000001GJU
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Adagio - Allegro Molto
Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Largo
Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Molto Vivace
Symphonie Nr. 9 E-moll, Op. 95: Allegro Con Fuoco
Die Moldau

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful melodies.......2007-05-17

I'm obviously not as "into" classical music as I should be as I wasn't familiar with The New World Symphony until I happened to hear the National Symphony perform it in March 2007. But it's a beautiful piece of music with not one, but several, beautiful melodic lines that I recognized, but hadn't previously associated with this piece of music. "Oh, that's from the New World Symphony!" It's gorgeous stuff.

One thing that's sort of interesting about this symphony is that Dvorak doesn't repeat his melodic themes very often. There are some beautiful strains, but you'd best catch them when they arise because he clearly doesn't have a lot of repeats built into the score. On the plus side, this characteristic of the music encourages re-playing the CD.

Let me also say a few words about Smetana's "Moldau." This CD is more expensive than some other "New World" CDs, but I think it's worth the price premium due to "Moldau." "Moldau" is, as I understand it, the national song of the Czech Republic. It's a lovely tune, you can almost hear the river flowing through Prague.

I've found myself playing this CD a lot, which is the ultimate testimony to its virtues.

top notch.......2005-10-21

The Smetana on this CD was the highpoint for me. The Dvorak is a great work and I have heard many excellent productions of it. This one is very enjoyable and the sound is fabulous. All soloists are clearly heard and the stereo image is great. The surprise for me was the Smetana which it turns out is a lovely piece of music played and recorded beautifully here. The beginning in which he tries to reproduce the movement of water in a stream is captivating. That is followed by one of the more hummable tunes I have encountered in music. Recommended highly.

Excellent recording and a fine effort by old man Karajan.......2005-09-24

I don't need to tell you anything about the music, you'd have to have lived in a cave for your entire life to have never heard this. A few points on the performance - excellent pacing, great sound and the brass in the final movement is room-shaking. A great version for sure, with the added bonus of Smetana's Die Moldau from his symphonic poem, Ma Vlast. Kubelik's and Kertesz's readings of the 9th are probably better and more individualistic, but in terms of sonics this recording blows those out of the water. Expensive but worth every penny.

Five stars for the sound.......2002-11-18

In his final days Herbert von Karajan was just crankin' 'em out, sometimes his third or fourth reading of a certain piece, just to try and get as much of his repertoire recorded digitally as possible. This recording - which was also used for one of his Telemondial video productions - is one of those. The Vienna Philharmonic the ensemble used this time after his fallout with the Berliners shortly before. I've had older renditions of this work on vinyl recorded with the Berlin Phil that were quite exceptional. I've always thought, why not just digitally re-master a 20 or 30-year-old recording from the late 50's through the early 70's when he was really in his prime, as opposed to issuing another rendition just to make a digital version of it? Nonetheless, these are still very fine readings of The Dvorak and the Smetana, and after reviewing a library copy, I would still be tempted to buy myself one of this 1985 issue just for the sound quality alone. The Deutsche Grammophon Original-Image Bit-Processing digital sound on this recording will blow you away.

The "New World" Symphony.......2000-04-07

I have heard a few other recordings of this symphony, but I am no musicologist. As soon as I heard this recording, though, I never went back to any other disc. Karajan's majestic control and depth of exploration, two of his many magnificent hallmarks, are beyond sublime. I consider the "New World" Symphony and the "Moldau" some of the most powerful music ever written, and Karajan presents this awesome quality with such natural ease as he always does. The Vienna Philharmonic is not one whit behind him, and this stellar, long-venerated orchestra delivers a flawless recording.

Liszt: Les Preludes, Mazeppa, Ungarische Rhapsodie No.4, Smetana: Vysehrad, Die Moldau

Average customer rating:

Run-of-the-mill
Excelente
Excellent
Bold and Brilliant

Liszt: Les Preludes, Mazeppa, Ungarische Rhapsodie No.4, Smetana: Vysehrad, Die Moldau

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Liszt: Symphonic Poems
Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3 & 4 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos; The Piano Sonata
Franck: Symphony in Dm; Chasseur maudit
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO

ASIN: B000001GQA
Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

Die Moldau aus dem Zyklus Symphonischer Dichtungen 'Mein Vaterland'
Vysehrad aus dem Zyklus Symphonischer Dichtungen 'Mein Vaterland'
Les Preludes Symphonische Dichtung Nr. 3 fur grosses Orchester
Mazeppa Symphonische Dichtung Nr. 6
Ungarische Rhapsodie Nr. 4

Customer Reviews:

Run-of-the-mill.......2007-01-18

I think these tone poems require more passion and emotion than von Karajan exhibits. I was prepared to enjoy these selections but came away disappointed. The sound was good and the notes were played, but the interpretation didn't reach me emotionally. Les Preludes crashed away at me and the Hungarian Rhapsody seemed unduly lethargic. The Smetana pieces also had a paint-by-the-numbers feel. It felt like van Karajan was holding something back even as the orchestra played on.

Excelente.......2004-12-10

Mi director favorito es Eugene Ormandy pero de ningun modo podre y yo creo que otra persona podra desmerecer el valor de la excelencia de la dictadora mano de Karajan y el sonido envidiable de su Berliner Philharmoniker.
Estas grabaciones que poseo en un LP y que ahora tengo en CD son geniales el sonido espectacular DG logra lo mejor en estos registros sensacionales.
Karajan nos lleva con inmensa sutileza por el moldava, nos remece con el Vysehrad, nos conmueve con la increible Mazeppa, el magnifico Les Preludes y finalmente con la sublime Rapasodia Hungara Nº4.
Es verdaderamente genial y nada que decir casi perfecto.
Para Mazeppa Kurt Masur la mejor opcion, para Les preludes Haitink el mejor, Para Smetana y su ciclo sinfonico Antal Dorati es grandioso.

Excellent.......2002-06-11

I guess i'm just big on classical because i dont find very much classical out there that is bad. This is one of the best from Franz Liszt. He was a master on the piano, but as shown though both the hungarian rhapsodies and les preludes, he had a wonderful understanding of the orchestra as a whole.

Bold and Brilliant.......2001-11-06

The Deutsche-Grammophon label rarely ever disappoints, and this album is a great example. This is an old recording, and it has stuck around because it is truly great. I first heard it listening to my dad's old LP, and when I saw it in the store on CD, I snatched it up.

That said, I have mixed feelings about Karajan. I mostly enjoy his recordings. He has a controlled, dispassionate approach to his music that makes it a bit passive at times, but Karajan gets past that by letting the music speak for itself. Instead of muddling a great piece with silly interpretative ideas, his calm style lets the composers' ideas come across unscathed.

The Moldeau, also known as Vltava is a great rendition, as is Les Preludes. Karajan renders them masterfully, as I said, letting the majesty of these glorious pieces shine through. I was surprised by the orchestral version of the Hungarian Rhapsody, but it is a good performance, although I am partial to the original piano.

Tracks:

The Moldau
Romeo And Juliet: Andante Not Tanto, Quasi Moderato-Allegro-Molto Meno Mosso-Allegro Giusto... - LPO/Laurence Siegel
Les Prlds
Bolero - Hungarian Nat PO/Adam Fischer

Customer Reviews:

Best Moldau available.......2000-09-29

If you've been looking for the version of Smetana's Moldau that all the Classical Radio stations play, THIS IS IT! Best version of Moldau on the market! I bought this in cassette tape version years ago but lost it and have been searching for it ever since. The Bolero is also awesome, (shades of Disney's original film Fantasia, the dinosaur story). If you like Classical music but are a novice like me, this is a great survey of varying styles by the best composers. Romeo and Juliet needs no introduction. It's fabulous.

Average customer rating:

Stokowski In His Element

Rhapsodies [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Brahms, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD]
César Franck: Symphony in D Minor; Igor Stravinsky; Pétrouchka [Hybrid SACD]
Chopin:Rubinstein Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 [Hybrid SACD]
Mahler: Symphony No. 4 [Hybrid SACD]
Richard Strauss: Scenes from Salome & Elektra [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B0009U55T2
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Customer Reviews:

Stokowski In His Element.......2006-06-10

While I am not partial to Wagner or Liszt, the glory of these performances is found in the compositions of Enescu and Smetana. Often dismissed because of his theatricality, here Stokowski shines with brilliance in music so suited to his flamboyant, some would say gushy, nature. The Moldau flows beautifully along its varied course under this capable baton, filled with the vitality of a first-time hearing of this familiar but wonderful standard. Not so well known to all is the Enescu Roumanian Rhapsody. Stokowski imbues such diverse coloration and rhythmic insistance as to mesmerise on each listening. More than an historical document, these recordings could well become your favorite performances of these works. Though recorded before the age of DDD digital techniques, the sound is brilliant, realistic and energizing. Available in both hybrid SACD and standard CD formats. Most highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

The Best Of Karajan At A Cheap Price! Wow!
WONDERFUL COLLECTION.........
Enchanting!
A music lover's dream

Romantic Adagio: Karajan

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Karajan: Adagio
Adagio 2
Karajan Forever: The Greatest Classical Hits

ASIN: B000001GS6
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo sinfonico
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Romeo And Juliet: Love Theme
Les Sylphides: Nocturne
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Romance
Vltava (The Moldau)
Scheherazade: The Young Prince And The Young Princess
Coppelia: Ballad
From Holberg's Time: Sarabande
Serenade For String Orchestra: Moderato
Carmen: Entr'acte III
Tristan And Isolde: Isoldes Liebestod - Wagner

Customer Reviews:

The Best Of Karajan At A Cheap Price! Wow!.......2005-08-15

Close to perfect, really, if at least one track included Beethoven's Ninth Symphony "Ode To Joy" or other Karajan-conducted slow movements from symphonies. Also if Ravel's Bolero or Debussy's La Mer were on here. This is truly an incomparable collection at the very affordable price of about 2-3 dollars. Karajan's magical interpretations of adagios are gloriously showcased. Karajan was without a doubt the greatest conductor immediately after the loss of Arturo Toscanini, who is still hailed as the number one conductor of all time. Karajan, like Toscanini, were giants of classical music, making the music such a powerful and emotional experience that it was as if they had written the pieces themselves. Karajan was so involved with the music he conducted that he was able to conduct with his eyes closed. He FELT the music and was genuinely passionate about conducting. In adagios, the more relaxed, sustained and lyrical aspects of the music is exposed as is the more graceful conducting of Karajan.

The music included here is the moving and very Italianate Intermezzo from the opera Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. Karajan really delivers here and is a fine first track to begin with. It's followed by the elegantly-executed Barcarolle, complete with nocturnal and watery modes from the Offenbach opera, The Tales of Hoffman. The Love Theme from the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky is priceless music and Tchaikovsky really steps up the emotional impact of the work. More charming and genteel phrasing is used in the music for the ballet Les Sylphides, with music from Chopin arranged for orchestra and for the Romanza in Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

I have never heard the true "Moldau" by Smetana until I heard it here. Under Karajan's baton, the river comes alive and the journey is much more compelling. The theme for the Young Prince and Princess from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade" is simply gorgeous, full of romantic Russian-ism. Karajan takes us to the time of Holberg in Grieg's Holberg Suite in a fine interpretation of the Sarabande. Karajan conducting Dvorak's String Serenade in E major is noble. The final tracks are perhaps the most musically masterful, eventhough all the previous pieces were well-executed even if they are not bigger in scope. The Carmen music- Overture and Preludes are remarkable. Karajan is in fine form and the music is crisp, powerful and colorful. Karajan knew Carmen. How this proudly Austrian man knew how to bring out the magnetism of a French piece like Carmen is beyond me. He in fact conduced the best Carmen performances at the Salzburg Festival, the ones with Grace Bumbry and Jon Vickers in the late 60's.

Finally, the last piece is the Liebestod, the Finale from Wagner's great opera Tristan and Isolde. Now, if anything, get this cheap album for that !! You have not heard the Liebestod until you've heard it conducted by Karajan. In this recording, he is already a seasoned conductor with years of experience since his young conductor days in the 30's and 40's. Judging ffrom the cover in which his hair is white and his face is wrinkled I can discern this is a probably an 80's recording when he was in his old age (because Karajan began seriously recording for labels in the 80's most people assumed he was always white-haired). His interpretation of the Liebestod is powerful, and deeply spiritual, withou sounding affected or melodramatic. He is in full control of the music. He knew Wagner through the music. Isolde's final aria has been likened to an orgasm or to a spiritual transformation by music scholars. Karajan brings out every bit of this theory in his rendition. A young Karajan conducting the Liebestod is harder to find, but its probably preferable to go with this version since by this time he knew the Liebestod inside and out. It's breathtaking and climatic. It's the best piece of music ever and the best of Karajan's repertoire.

WONDERFUL COLLECTION................2002-03-13

THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR
MUSIC WRITTEN. HERBERT VON KARAJAN IS AT HIS USUAL BEST. THIS IS A GREAT CD TO READ BY OR JUST SIT AND LISTEN TOO. I HIGHLY
RECOMMEND IT...

Enchanting!.......2001-01-11

This is the rare CD that will appeal to newcomers and afficionados alike. For a lover of classical music, it is often annoying to hear parts of a composition played out of context from the main piece but this is alleviated by the choice of music on this disc. As the name itself indicates, the selected pieces are highly melodic slow movements from masters of the genre. The composers on this CD need no introduction and the selection is by and large superb, with only one jarring note. Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, Chopin's Nocturne from Les Sylphides, Tchaikovsky's Theme from Romeo & Juliet, Korsakov's Theme from Scheherazade, Dvorak's Moderato and of course Mozart's Romance from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik are melodies that live forever and the others are not far behind, with the possible execption of Smetana's Vltava which does not quite fit in with the overall theme of the disc. The icing on the cake of course is that the performances are by none other than the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan's baton. What more can one ask for? A perfect disc to listen to on a lazy evening or after a hard day's work. And for a newcomer to classical music, this disc is an excellent sampler that will whet the appetite for more.

A music lover's dream.......2000-04-30

The CD has all the lushness and slow tempi (adagio, of course) for which Karajan was renowned (and sometimes reviled). Every track is a gem, from the graceful ballet music of Les Sylphides to the opulent melody from Scheherazade. Particularly exquisite is the Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde. All in all, a beautiful listening experience, and highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Excellent
Grab It While It's Still Available
A Ma Vlast that is as amazing as this CD remaster
SOME MONO RECORDINGS SOUND BETTER THAN SOME STEREO
A very fine recording

Smetana: Má Vlast

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Smetana: Má Vlast
Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor
Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72
Enesco: Roumanian Rhapsody no 2
Smetana: Má vlast

ASIN: B0000057NA
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

Ma Vlast ('My Country'), Symphonic Cycle: Vysehrad ('The High Castle')
Ma Vlast ('My Country'), Symphonic Cycle: Vltava ('The Moldau')
Ma Vlast ('My Country'), Symphonic Cycle: Sarka
Ma Vlast ('My Country'), Symphonic Cycle: Z ceskych luhu a haju ('From Bohemia's Meadows And Forests')
Ma Vlast ('My Country'), Symphonic Cycle: Tabor
Ma Vlast ('My Country'), Symphonic Cycle: Blanik

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2006-01-21

I wanted to get a recording of "The Moldau", a haunting Romantic orchestral piece, so I went to Amazon for the reviews. A handy thing, that, although reviews have to be filtered because they mainly reflect the taste of the reviewer. But the more articulate ones give you an idea of what to expect. I went for a Rafael Kubelik recording from 1952 in mono. One microphone. He lasted 3 years with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra but was considered too modern in his repertoire. And he over-reached in his other duties as mentioned in the liner notes in the CD. This was in the early '50s! Not much of a time for innovation as far as the public was concerned (although some very good artistic work came out of this time, despite the Red scare, conformity, etc.)

I have heard maybe four versions of "The Moldau", the second part of the Ma Vlast (my country) tone poem cycle from the Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. He was a contemporary of Dvorak, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korssakoff. This recording blows you away, I highly recommend it.The strings are crisp, the brass is right there and not over done. No miscues I could notice anywhere. The tempo has a certain realness to it, the phrasing is superb and very hard to coordinate in most orchestras. This recording is much better than two of the others I have heard on radio, the third one (I could not get the name of the conductor and orchestra) may be almost up to it in quality and feeling but maybe it is not available at Amazon. It is hard to believe the full sound in this mono. I usually am put off by monaural recordings even if conducted well, wanting to hear the fullness of "2-D" sound and imagining the musicians in their locations. If you haven't heard "The Moldau" (named for the Vltava River), or even if you have, I would go for this.

Grab It While It's Still Available.......2004-05-02

I own three performances of Ma Vlast--Ancerl's with the Czech Phil, Kubelik with Boston, and now this one (I also intend to acquire Kubelik's final recording--the live performance on Supraphon--as well). Each one is superb but this is the only one that actually moved me to tears. The performance is PERFECT, as are the sonics. Don't let the fact that this is a monaural recording affect your decision about whether or not to purchase this disk because if anything, it ENHANCES this performance (go figure). There's an in-your-face immediacy that I haven't found in my other two readings that's very powerful and which is due entirely to the way it's recorded. Trust me, you won't miss the separation. And the pre-Reiner CSO simply must be heard to be believed--it's a very different animal, somehow more refined than during Reiner's tenure. I think it's safe to write that this disk is essential listening for those who want to lay claim to knowing this work.
I like to refer to Mercury Living Presence recordings as "audio Technicolor"; the sound is bigger and more vivid than anything one is likely to experience live. There's nothing "natural" about the sound of these performances. They're not to everyone's taste and they're often not considered reference works but I love them and am thrilled and grateful that so many of the mono recordings in Mercury's catalog have made it to CD. If Mrs. Fine pays any attention to these reviews and is taking requests, may I respectfully suggest Kubelik's Bloch?

A Ma Vlast that is as amazing as this CD remaster.......2001-06-19

This Kubelik recording of Smetana's epic cycle of symphonic poems is in itself one of the most amazing and inspired performances of the work on record. The late conductor was himself a Czechman, and you can feel his characteristic idiomatic flari on all his recordings of this work, including on here. Kubelik elicits peerless playing from his Chicago players, and you can often feel the effectiveness in the sound in painting a well-detailed picture of the Czech landscape. Equally amazing is the sound of the half-century-old Mercury monaural recording, because while the tape hiss has been kept at a minimum, you can still feel the orchestra's living presence and wide dynamic range without the extraneous intrusions that are often anomolous with monaural recordings.

The opening harp flourish in Vysherad sets the cycle off to a flying start. Every moment of this poem sees Kubelik encouraging the orchestra to give it a sweeping momentu to make it spine-tingling. Kubelik also enables the much-overplayed Vltava to sound fresh and new with a few flicks of his baton, and indeed he enables the piece to be played rapturously and seductively. The thrill and adreanaline of Sarka and the kaliedascopic and energetic lyricism of From Bohemia's Woods and Fields are engaging and inviting, without sounding boring and laboured, and they all lead up to the thrilling concluding movements Tabor and Blonik, where Kubelik is at his best, building up the tension to keep the listener in suspense when following the Hussite struggle. The two pieces are played with the fervour that they deserve, and the last few thrilling moments of Blonik crown a performance of Ma Vlast that is sure to become a benchmark standard for a long time to come.

To sum everything up, I can safely say that the monaural recording still sounds good, and this thrilling recording of Ma Vlast is sure to find a happy home in the libraries of everyone who loves soul-stirring Czech orchestral music.

SOME MONO RECORDINGS SOUND BETTER THAN SOME STEREO.......2000-06-23

Rafael Kubelik, that careful craftsman who did such a great job on works by Dvorak (New World Symphony) and Mahler (Symphony No. 1), presents his homeland in wonderful musical fashion. Listen very carefully to the 4th section (From Bohemia's Forests and Meadows): echoes of the land, whispering and yearning... so well rendered in its minute detail. The whole work is articulated and played with great precision. It is surely a credit to Kubelik, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Mercury sound engineers that this mono recording sounds better than a lot of stereo recordings. Sound quality: 10 out of 10. Performance: 10 also.

A very fine recording.......2000-02-18

This is a very fine performance of Ma Vlast, with state of the art sound (for its time). The CSO plays with much character and idiomatic feeling, and let's face it, nobody ever conducted this work better than Kubelik. The Czech personality of the piece comes through very strongly. It is a pity that Kubelik's finest recording of this work is quite difficult to find, his live digital recording of this piece shortly before he died with the Czech Philharmonic on the Supraphon label. If you find it grab it! Otherwise this Chicago version will certainly bring much listening pleasure.

Dvorák / Smetana: Symphony No. 7 / Bartered Bride / Moldau

Average customer rating:

A miss on the Seventh, a medium-good Eighth
Inspiring Czech Symphonic Music
Bernstein the Czech?
Gotta Love It!

Dvorák / Smetana: Symphony No. 7 / Bartered Bride / Moldau

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Smetana: Moldau/From Bohemia's Meadows and Forests/Dvorák: Slavonic Dances Op.46 & Op.72
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 / Overtures
Dvorak: Symphony No9; Carnival Overture Op92
Bizet: Symphony No. 1; Offenbach: Gaite Parisienne
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol

ASIN: B000009CYD
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: I. Allegro Maestoso
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: II. Poco Adagio
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: III. Scherzo Vivace-Poco Meno Mosso
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: IV. Finale. Allegro
Overture To The Bartered Bride
Three Dances From The Bartered Bride: Polka
Three Dances From The Bartered Bride: Furiant
Three Dances From The Bartered Bride: Dance Of The Comedians
The Moldau (Vltava): Symphonic Poem No.2 From MA Vlast: The Moldau

Amazon.com

This is the first release on CD of a symphony that most music lovers don't even know that Leonard Bernstein recorded! It's a marvelous performance, with a finale that positively smokes, and just one more example of the treasures that lie buried in the back catalogs of the major labels. One of the oddities of the classical music market is the fact that many of the best releases today are reissues, and not new performances. Go figure. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A miss on the Seventh, a medium-good Eighth.......2005-10-01

The good news isn't the main works on offer here, the two Dvorak symphonies. Instead, the Bartered Bride Over. and other short pieces that fill out this CD are vintage Bernstein, exuberant and full of life.

The Dovrak Sym. #7 isn't. I own dozens of Bernstein recordings and consider myself a devotee. But he was a variable conductor in some standard repertoire, and here he doesn't seem involved. Everything goes along well enough, but there is no insight and not much exuberance. The Eigth Sym. comes off consierably better, but both works are in coarse sound and arouse little joy in me. Strange, considering that Bernstein's Dvorak Ninth is among the best on CD.

Inspiring Czech Symphonic Music.......2004-08-06

Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic provide a passionate and thrilling performance of two Bohemian giant composers, Dvorak and Smetana.

Just finishing a biography of Smetana, I now understand the connection more between Dvorak and Smetana, especially in the national opera setting that Smetana languished for and even aided Dvorak along this path.

These renditions are magical in their grace and power, the nationalistic sounds of march and tension and strife are played with gusto and fine tempo, while the Moldau and Dances from Bartered Bride are light and airy in the appropriate places.

Fine brass and string efforts. All in all, magical performances of both major composers. Fine grouping of compositions. Excellent value. To be enjoyed.

Bernstein the Czech?.......2000-07-27

I bought this cd on the weight of the Amazon review and have not been disappointed. In fact, I am struck by the excellent remastering job done by Sony and the marvellous sound from 1963. Besides that the performance of the Seventh shows off to great effect the nationalistic melodies Dvorak was inclined to put in his music. They can be easily picked out here, and the dynamic contrasts Bernstein is able to draw out of the NYPO is striking indeed. Notice the last few bars of both the first and second movements played with great attention to detail and volume. The third movement Scherzo bounces along nicely, and the final movement brings it all to an appropriate climax. The Smetana pieces are no less admirable and if you haven't heard the pieces from the Bartered Bride, I urge you to hear this. Of course the Moldau is a nice bonus too. An enjoyable disc.

Gotta Love It!.......2000-02-24

On this particular CD, we find Leonard Bernstein giving his interpretations to Dvorak's 7th Symphony (my personal favorite). This performance is fine indeed. The tempos seem to be a hair slower than many versions I have heard but this allows a fresh perspective to the work. It allows the work to develop and blossom better. Bernstein brings out details in the score you haven't heard before. Particularly in the first movement there is a wonderful trill on the french horns that had previously escaped my ear. As the Amazon.com reviewer said, the final movement cooks. Dvorak had a talent for composing beautiful energetic and great melodies, and the 7th symphony is full of them. Bernstein and the orchestra show us this. Along with this symphony, you get a great performance of the Bartered Bride Overture, the dances which are great fun, and the Moldau.....well I just love this one.

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