Customer Reviews

Dvorák: Symphony No.9/ Schubert: Symphony No.8

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This DG recording is a product of Giulini's years as Principal Guest Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Recorded in the 1970s, these performances are good examples of a comment on Giulini's work that came from one Chicago orchestra member who was quoted as saying, "...with Solti we play out of respect....with Giulini we play with love..." Both the Dvorak New World Symphony, with the first movement repeat included and the Schubert Unfinished are performed with refinement, beauty, and tenderness. Very, very warmly recommended.

If only for Schubert's symphony and there are not enough stars for this CD. I looked a long time for a version of this symphony that will sound different every time I listen to it (the way Bruno Walter said). Listening to this CD was the revelation I expected. A wonderfull orchestra in the hands of a master. An ever fresh sound, beatufully blended and right at the heart of Schubert. Arrau said that Schubert's latest works suggest the composer's feeling of fatality. You can understand this if you listen to Arrau's recordings of the latest Schubert Sonatas (especially no21) and Giulini's version of the "Unfinished" symphony. Dvorak's 9th is also a very fine version even though I consider Celibidache's version with Munchner Philharmoniker the last word "From New World". But make time to listen Giulini. His orchestra has always something to say that you never heard.

Carlo Maria Giulini may not be as well known as many glamorous jet-set conductors, but he was one of the half dozen or so greatest conductors of the 20th century, nevertheless. And he had a special affinity for both the symphonies on this CD. Giulini's performance of Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony is simply sublime. No other conductor can match him in this work. His performance of the "New World" symphony is also outstanding. It is, I must admit, a bit more Brahmsian than idiomatically Czechish -- but it is, nevertheless, magnificent. I beg you to listen to it.

Carlo Maria Giulini recorded Dvorak's 9th symphony several times, but this recording is truly special. He leads the Chicago Symphony in a spellbinding performance noted for the clarity of its brass and the rich sonority of its strings. Regrettably, this is often overlooked as one of the great recordings of Dvorak's 9th Symphony with respect to his earlier recordings as well as those from the likes of Kubelik. Nevertheless, it is an excellent testament to the splendid music Giulini produced from the CSO during his tenure as its principal guest conductor. The performance of Schubert's 8th symphony is fine too.

Giulini leads the Chicago with great force and majesty in these very familiar works. The Chicago orchestra is just wonderful, and Giulini brings far greater depth to the Schubert than other contemporary conductors, who seem to back away from 'overplaying" the more grandiose Romantic aspects.

This Chicago DG CD sounds better than one reviewer claims - I have thousands of vinyl records, so I understand what he is trying to say: I just don't think this is nearly as bad an example as he suggests. As many people apparently have complained about the sound on this particular DG series I will be reasonable and wonder if all CD series are issued unchanged - on my copy things are not as bad as his sounded. Indeed, it's much, much easier to listen to the sound on this DG than several of the highly rated Montreal Decca CDs, which to my ears display many of the worst digital problems with sound so shrill any musical pleasure becomes increasingly negated as you try to listen.

SO - if these Giulini performances are remastered then everyone will be happy, for the newer DG remasterings have been exceptional, along with the RCA Hybrids, The Mercury reissues and some of the earlier reissues on digital of analog EMIs and Deccas.