Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This CD is without a doubt one of the best in my collection. It couples the two greatest of Dvorak's symphonies together on one midpriced CD, and not just any performanced of these symphonies, but the best currently available. The greatest of the romantic, emotional, and nationalistic elements that are found in Dvorak's music are present in these performances, led by Kubelik's amazing baton. Though Karajan refined this orchestra to make it the best in the world, his performances of these symphonies does not compare to those of Kubelik with the BPO. Kubelik shares a common ethnic background with Dvorak, thus he get's a better feel for the "slavic" feelings that permeate the music. The strings whine in the most emotionally stirring of ways. The brass and percussion boom and bang, in perfect balance with each other and the strings. And not only is the performance great, but so is the remastered sound. Though it is a 60's recording, and the quality is not up to par with new digital ones, it is still very good. The best performance of the famous New World symphony coupled with an amazing 8th make this CD a definite can't miss. One listen and you'll be hooked

I think these are two of the best performances you can get of these two great works. Rafael Kubelik's performances are always underrated for some reason, and these this recording makes a strong case for this trend being reversed. I think two of they standout movements. Are the finale of The Eighth Symphony and The Opening Movement of The Ninth. In both these movements a precise amount of playing is mixed with almost flawless attacks to make it very thrilling. The Ninth Symphony First movement has one of the most exciting openings (next to Mahler 5) and It is played very musically with a good amount of rebate. The Largo is very beautiful and of course the finale is hair raising. I would highly recommend getting this disc especially at such a nice price.

Whatever imp lurking in Mr. Hurwitz makes him invent new and ridiculous things to say, it was being especially mischievous here. Kubelik's Dvorak recordings with the Berlin Phil. were notoriously shrill and hard when first transferred to CD, and even now, with evidence of remastering, the sound hasn't lost all of its hardness. It is more listenable than before, however, which is gratifying.

As for the performances, I've had my say while covering the complete Dvorak cycles from Kertesz and Kubelik. Just to recap: Kubelik's "New World" catches fire in the Scherzo but is otherwise less extraordinary than its reputation holds, while Kertesz shows much more flexibility, vivacity, and power, not to mention better sound. In Sym. #8 the sonic impovements in the Kubelik are very noticeable, but I'd still put the inspired Kertesz ahead (noting that a knowledgable commenter below has problems with its sound).

While Rafael Kubelik's reading of the Dvorak Ninth is a pretty good one, there has never been a finer interpretation, I feel, than his superbly characterized portrayal of the glowing G Major Eighth. I would place only Istvan Kertesz with the London Symphony on equal footing here, followed very closely by Barbirolli/Halle Orchestra, Munch/Boston Symphony and the mono Talich with the Czech Philharmonic. At the next level are two other fine accounts, both by George Szell---one with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw (mono, from the early '50s) and the other with the Cleveland Orchestra (his late 1950s stereo recording originally issued on Epic lp, now on Sony cd, not the one he made for EMI/Angel shortly before his passing.) Bruno Walter's otherwise excellent performance with the Columbia Symphony is, I feel, compromised somewhat by his less than zestful final movement. For the Ninth or "New World", my top choices are the dynamic and sensitive Kertesz/Vienna Philharmonic conception (NOT his later one with the London Symphony), Bruno Walter's picturesque, sympathetic Columbia Symphony reading on Sony, the tuneful, very well presented Horenstein/Royal Philharmonic and the taut, exciting version with Leopold Ludwig and the London Symphony. I offer more extended comments on Kubelik's Eighth and Ninth in my review of DGG's double set which includes Dvorak's Seventh Symphony and works by Smetana, though I do not deal with the latter.

I have several recordings of the 9th and have played it several times. I rarely listen to classical on the radio anymore, apart from some opera because I have been so involved with it. But... a few days ago, as I was driving home and flipping through the stations, I stopped at the sound of this interpretation of Dvorak #9 and was immediately hooked!

The Kubelik version is so interesting- it retains the searing, lyrical qualities of the melodies, yet your could hear the most minute details of the score. This is not an 'orthodox' recording, and I mean this in a good way- I sometimes felt as though the orchestra was singing to me. The flow was very melodic with lots of sensitive utilization of dynamics. A perfect balance of passion and musicality. Yes, there may be equally fine recordings, but this is as good as it gets!

Only three stars, not to belittle this obviously loved and excellent recording. I HIGHLY recommend that you also check out other great recordings as the differences are enormous. The great Reiner CSO version from the fifties has been in my head for 40 plus years. Upon hearing the Kubelik version I was shocked at the great difference in tempo. The Kubelik is MUCH slower than the Reiner! Seriously, the first minute of the Kubelik is covered in 40 seconds of the Reiner. I am no music professor and I am not trying to say what is superior, ultimately it is a question of taste and preference, (and probably a little bias in my case) but with this level of variety in performances, please check out the other major recordings available of this great work.

The Eighth Symphony maybe considered a work with accented resemblance in what spirit concerns, to Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony or Schuman's Renana. Somehow this humble and honest artwork prefigures (specially in the second half of the Adagio) Mahler. It owns manifold and lovable moments. And it keeps a musical solidity supported by a clear chamber work atmosphere; smart device to cram the multiple bucolic atmosphere and in the meantime to underline the peacefulness in the first three movements. Dvorak wish's was and we cite: "To write a work which is different from my other symphonies, with individual ideas worked out in a new way". New way meant the new musical horizons seen by Dvorak. This is one of my beloved symphonies of this Czech composer and if you want to be winner conducting it , you need not only a first class orchestra but a whole gaze about the work. For instance you must avoid the tempting crescendos in the First Movement to allow the work doesn't miss the intimate character. Later, you will have the chance to exhibit the tonal musculature in the passage previous to the Coda. In the visibly reflective second Movement the journey takes a breath and the flute emerges as Wagner's device in Sigfried, representing the role of a bird, the sudden and unexpected second theme must spout organically as the nature by itself. It's very easy to fall in a cloying approach but that's the clue: to avoid it, specially in that charming Third Movement.
There are to my mind, just only four superb and overwhelming versions that detach far above the others: In first term the prodigious and never equaled to date exuberant performance given by the Alsatian Maestro Charles Munch with the one million carats orchestra: the Boston Symphony in 1960, the memorable reading of Istvan Kertesz and the London Symphony, the impressive reading of Rafael Kubelik with the Berlin Philharmonic dated on 1966. Kubelik was fifty two years old and the Berlin sound was in those ages simply bombastically effective, and finally a fabulous version of Vaclav Tallich with the Czech Philharmonic in the middle fifties.
In what the Ninth concerns nobody has been able to overpass until now the impressive and splendid performance given by Ferenc Fricsay and the Berlin Philharmonic in the early fifties.