Ever since I first discovered Dvorak there was this infusion of positivity and joy interjected into my life. I have never tired of hearing his music. It’s so rich with melodies and that irresistible Check verve. You’re so right on that his music performed without the inert JOY is simply unacceptable! Much later, after I became a Dvorak fanatic I learned about his personal tragedies. It amazes me that after all that he could still bring such joy to the music.
I'm glad you had an authentic pasta carbonara in Italy. It didn't have cream in it, I can guarantee you. (And I know the way to keep the sauce from going sideways.)
Pentatone is no longer committed to outstanding recorded sound. So don't expect great sound just because it carries the Pentatone logo. They've all but abandoned SACD entirely, and don't even record a lot of what they release anymore. They're distributing a lot of stuff from local symphony productions, local radio station studio sessions, etc. It's a shame to see what's happened to this label.
Great description of the coda of the 8th Symphony. Immediately got me re-visiting that particular bit, which is indeed surprisingly underwhelming here.
I love what Beecham does with it in his live 1959 RPO recording. That last burst of speed, like a runner, arms raised, breaking through the tape at the finish line. And all more effective for the loving, detailed, lyrical shaping of what went before.
Why on earth was this released?!?!!? We don’t need another Czech Phil Dvorak cycle, the Mahler cycle just had one of the best firsts of the last 30 years, an excellent 4th, and a solid 2nd. So disappointing that they bumped the rest of this cycle for another meh Dvorak 7-9.
As another commenter mentioned, he’s also recently done a Ma Vlast. I’d be very curious to hear your take on it. I’ve not heard it except for an excerpt played on BBC Record Review. It seemed to suffer from similar afflictions to the ones you described. It’s also been praised to the sky “in certain circles.”
As always, superb and succinct, Dave. Interesting you mention Dvorak with joy, organic, etc..... exactly how Dvorak shoud be, so a sauce-enriched version is always going to 'drown' the pasta! I wonder if you'll review Bychkov's 'Ma Vlast?' I'd be very keen to hear how you feel it fares after this (unnecessary?) recording.
Shame - you would have definitely thought Bychov would park the dodgy interpretive hubris (he has a track record for this kind of thing though), particularly in such reportiare with the Czech Phil. I heard them live at this year's Proms, in Suk's 'Asrael' with Jakub Hrůša conducting. Now whilst it's less familiar fare than the Dvorak, it's well known to this orchestra; and boy oh boy when you have someone who energises them, yet stays out of the way and just lets them play (as Hrůša did), it's amazing. I've rarely been so impressed - it was fantastic.
I just listened to the 7th. It is obvious that things did not work out in this case. The sonics, even the strings... At times I had the feeling I was listening to an average recording from the 60s .
Fortuitously, I listened to Karajan's VPO 8th last night. What a superb performance and recording, on 1965 vinyl too. It sounds like it's the antithesis of Bychov.
That's my dinner sorted; got to make carbonara now; freshly made pasta in Italy is a thing of joy, with no comparison to the dried up and overcooked stuff that normally appears here. Glad to hear I am not alone re this conductor; did not enjoy playing for him at all, sadly.
I was expecting it, after his Ma Vlast earlier this year. No life, no energy, just run-of-the-mill playing by apparently bored musicians. Pentatone has really been going downhill in recent times. The only stuff from them I am interested in is the recordings by the OSM and Payare, but that's mostly to support the local band.
I heard them life (in Belgium) with IX, and was indeed underwhelmed. A pity this is released, after the good Mahler releases and the also good Shostakovich XI I heard them do live. Didn't check the Smetana release yet.
Ever since I first discovered Dvorak there was this infusion of positivity and joy interjected into my life. I have never tired of hearing his music. It’s so rich with melodies and that irresistible Check verve. You’re so right on that his music performed without the inert JOY is simply unacceptable! Much later, after I became a Dvorak fanatic I learned about his personal tragedies. It amazes me that after all that he could still bring such joy to the music.
I'm glad you had an authentic pasta carbonara in Italy. It didn't have cream in it, I can guarantee you. (And I know the way to keep the sauce from going sideways.)
Pentatone is no longer committed to outstanding recorded sound. So don't expect great sound just because it carries the Pentatone logo. They've all but abandoned SACD entirely, and don't even record a lot of what they release anymore. They're distributing a lot of stuff from local symphony productions, local radio station studio sessions, etc. It's a shame to see what's happened to this label.
Great description of the coda of the 8th Symphony. Immediately got me re-visiting that particular bit, which is indeed surprisingly underwhelming here.
I love what Beecham does with it in his live 1959 RPO recording. That last burst of speed, like a runner, arms raised, breaking through the tape at the finish line. And all more effective for the loving, detailed, lyrical shaping of what went before.
Dave I prefer the Kubelik version of the 8th and 9th on DG. It's like pasta alla agli, anchovi e olio. Lovely roasted almond music.
I'd like to put in a request for a review of Barenboim's new Franck symphony with the Berlin Phil.
Why on earth was this released?!?!!?
We don’t need another Czech Phil Dvorak cycle, the Mahler cycle just had one of the best firsts of the last 30 years, an excellent 4th, and a solid 2nd.
So disappointing that they bumped the rest of this cycle for another meh Dvorak 7-9.
Sounds like the Czech Phil playing quality is not the problem, but the conductor’s and the recording engineer’s!
For exciting Dvorak, why look in Europe when you can get Dohnanyi and Szell doing these pieces better in Cleveland?
As another commenter mentioned, he’s also recently done a Ma Vlast. I’d be very curious to hear your take on it. I’ve not heard it except for an excerpt played on BBC Record Review. It seemed to suffer from similar afflictions to the ones you described. It’s also been praised to the sky “in certain circles.”
As always, superb and succinct, Dave. Interesting you mention Dvorak with joy, organic, etc..... exactly how Dvorak shoud be, so a sauce-enriched version is always going to 'drown' the pasta! I wonder if you'll review Bychkov's 'Ma Vlast?' I'd be very keen to hear how you feel it fares after this (unnecessary?) recording.
Shame - you would have definitely thought Bychov would park the dodgy interpretive hubris (he has a track record for this kind of thing though), particularly in such reportiare with the Czech Phil. I heard them live at this year's Proms, in Suk's 'Asrael' with Jakub Hrůša conducting. Now whilst it's less familiar fare than the Dvorak, it's well known to this orchestra; and boy oh boy when you have someone who energises them, yet stays out of the way and just lets them play (as Hrůša did), it's amazing. I've rarely been so impressed - it was fantastic.
I just listened to the 7th. It is obvious that things did not work out in this case. The sonics, even the strings... At times I had the feeling I was listening to an average recording from the 60s .
Fortuitously, I listened to Karajan's VPO 8th last night. What a superb performance and recording, on 1965 vinyl too. It sounds like it's the antithesis of Bychov.
It is.
You'll be coming to the RCA Ormandy 7 & 8 soon, Dave. It may be a cheesesteak, but it's a superb one.
That's my dinner sorted; got to make carbonara now; freshly made pasta in Italy is a thing of joy, with no comparison to the dried up and overcooked stuff that normally appears here. Glad to hear I am not alone re this conductor; did not enjoy playing for him at all, sadly.
I was expecting it, after his Ma Vlast earlier this year. No life, no energy, just run-of-the-mill playing by apparently bored musicians. Pentatone has really been going downhill in recent times. The only stuff from them I am interested in is the recordings by the OSM and Payare, but that's mostly to support the local band.
I heard them life (in Belgium) with IX, and was indeed underwhelmed.
A pity this is released, after the good Mahler releases and the also good Shostakovich XI I heard them do live.
Didn't check the Smetana release yet.
Is this now titled: "The Greatest Recordings EVER! Rameau: Overtures", or is it me?
I'll have a look, but I didn't change anything.
@@DavesClassicalGuide Sorry Dave, must be my laptop. I blame the Chinese ;-)
I make my carbonara with Chorizo. I know, sue me! But cream? Never! Just a dollop of creme fraiche, baby.