Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 & The Noonday Witch, Op. 108

Claudio Abbado (Artist, Conductor), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (May 18, 2011)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classical
• ASIN: B000002A4Z
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,924 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 & The Noonday Witch, Op. 108 by Claudio Abbado

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good performance with superlative playing, , but the standards are high, February 16, 2007

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 & The Noonday Witch, Op. 108 (Audio CD)

Being the greatest of Czech composers, and a lovable melodist, Dvorak has won any number of great eprformances for his last three symphonies. Abbado is up against Kubelik, Kertesz, Szell, Bruno Walter, Giulini, and Harnoncourt, just to mention outstanding conductors whose versions I have loved over the years. So it's really a matter of personal taste. The most Czech versions come from native-born conductors like Kubelik, Talich, and Ancerl. What Abbado has going for him, pure and simple, is the ravishing playing of the Berlin Phil. None of the versions mentioned above has quite the limpid clarity and effortless virtuosity of the Berliners.

But don't expect the earthy smell of Czech soil. This is an 'international' (i.e., faceless) performing style devoted to beautiful expression. Abbado himself is lyrical and sensitive (to a fault, perhaps) in keeping with that style. But he's not fussy, and he provides just enough starch to keep everything moving vigorously. His great predecessor, Karajan, missed Dvorak's style entirely in a reading for EMI that's almost grating despite the splendor of the playing. One is grateful for the lilting, melodic filler, The Noon Witch, a late, melliflous tone poem that turns mysterious halfway through, but at 13 min. it doesn't make for a generous CD in toto.

In all, I'd be tempted to demote Abbado's effort to 3 stars if it weren't for the dazzling playing.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nicely done...!, June 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 & The Noonday Witch, Op. 108 (Audio CD)

The lyric approach to Dvorak 8th from Abbado is the main thesis of this performance. where other conductors miss the mark is where Abbado succeeds. Phrasing and balances are incredibly well done with very posished string playing throughout. A must for a serius Dvorak fan!