Dvorák: Symphonies 8 & 9 / Kubelik, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Rafael Kubelik (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Rafael Kubelik
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (February 13, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GQ7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,775 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: DVORAK,A.
Title: SYM 8/9
Street Release Date: 02/13/1996
Domestic
Genre: CLASSICAL COMPOSERS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Eighth..., December 26, 1999

By 

Henry Mautner (Ludlow, KY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dvorák: Symphonies 8 & 9 / Kubelik, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

My first exposure (embarassingly, perhaps) to Dvorak's magnificent Eighth Symphony was not until graduate school, when I performed it with the Yale Philharmonia under Otto Werner-Mueller. Since that time more than 20 years ago, I have almost fanatically sought out every recording of it that I could find, and have discovered in the process that its transcendent beauty is very difficult to capture in a recording.

But not impossible. Kubelik's recording is not only beautiful sonically, but is one of the finest performances the work may ever receive. Kubelik, always a superb Dvorak conductor (hear the rerelease of his magnificent Chicago Symphony recording of the 9th from the early 50's) was at the height of his interpretive powers, and the Berlin Philharmonic sounds like the Czech Philharmonic on steroids. The results are absolutely glorious.

While there are finer recordings of the Ninth available individually, the coupling with this incredible Eighth makes this one of the truly great CD bargains. This is one of the finest CD's in my collection.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars legendary recordings paired for super disk, October 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dvorák: Symphonies 8 & 9 / Kubelik, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

Kubelik's Dvorak recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic were among the finest work DG released in the 60's, and continue to provide the same thrills on today's double-symphony CD. The Symphony No. 8 (formerly 4) and Symphony No. 9: The New World were originally separate LP's in the same series. The production shows the fine melodic sweep and technical mastery the Berlin Philharmonic brings to each, while Kubelik's leadership brings a warmth and attentiveness this orchestra rarely shows under other conductors. A superb bargain on a definitave CD. The only disappointment is the omission of the photo from the cover of the No. 8 LP, which was a charming Eurotown foil to the New World skyline used on No. 9 and also on the CD.

I bought these LP's as a kid with my allowance; I'm thrilled to be able to have them on CD now. Both on one CD is gravy.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling, hair-raising music-making! An incredible bargain, July 7, 2001

By 

Happy in NYC (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dvorák: Symphonies 8 & 9 / Kubelik, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

First, let me thank Mr. Mautner for his insightful review below. I had recently heard Dvorak's 8th for the first time in a concert by the London Symphony, Sir Colin Davis conducting, and was enthralled by this under-performed masterpiece. Reading the rave reviews here (Karajan-Hurwitz controversy notwithstanding!) coupled with the bargain price I decided it was worth a purchase. Well, I hesitate to say this, but DG could charge twice the price for this and it would be well worth it! These recordings were made 30-odd years ago but sound like they were made yesterday. I've heard few other recordings that approximate the visceral experience of a live orchestral concert as well as this one. And what performances! Kubelik "goes for the gusto" here. This is unashamed, passionate romanticism at its most electrifying. Berlin has never sounded better than here under his baton. If you love the "New World" symphony, you'll adore this -- and learn to adore the Eighth along with it.