Dvorák: Symphony No. 6; The Wood Dove

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Jirí Belohlávek (Conductor), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Jirí Belohlávek
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (July 26, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000ARW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,617 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Music critics love to say that this symphony resembles Brahms's Second, which in some ways it does. What they neglect to point out, however, is that Dvorák wrote five symphonies before Brahms wrote one, so it's just as fair to say that the reason it resembles Brahms is because Brahms resembles Dvorák! It's certainly as fine as anything by Brahms, and for those who haven't heard it yet, this performance will win it many new friends. This version of the The Wood Dove, the greatest of Dvorák's late symphonic poems, is also stunning. A lovely disc. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dvorák's 6th Symphony: A Reminder of its Beauty, December 8, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorák: Symphony No. 6; The Wood Dove (Audio CD)

Antonin Dvorák works are staples in the orchestral repertoire and his admirers are legion. Though his 8th and 9th symphonies appear regularly on all major orchestra programs, the 6th is relatively unknown. Strange, as this symphony is the first of Dvorák's 'mature' works. It is beautifully if fitfully constructed and savors all of the factors that make Dvorák unique - driving rhythms, bohemian folksongs and dances, languorous melodies, and frenetic presto movements. It calls for an orchestra of great skill to pull it off and a conductor sensitive to all of the innuendoes of Dvorák's writing to make it the convincing work it most assuredly is.

On this fine recording Jirí Belohlávek (currently the conductor of the BBC symphony) leads his Orchestr Ceská Filharmonie in a brisk and bright performance. Jirí Belohlávek conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a performance that featured this symphony and with that powerful ensemble and brilliant acoustic of the Disney Hall created a magic the audience will not soon forget. Belohlávek is an under-appreciated conductor able to draw magic from ensembles. And this recording, including the very popular and inordinately beautiful tone poem 'The Wood Dove' deserves more attention than it has received. A perfect introduction to a neglected Dvorák masterpiece. Grady Harp, December 06

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great piece to follow the 9th., December 30, 1999

By 

"cabernet" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dvorák: Symphony No. 6; The Wood Dove (Audio CD)

If you're new to classical music, you've probably already heard Dvorak's 9th "New World" Symphony. If you want to expand your Dvorak collection, the 6th Symphony is a good choice. It shares many lyrical traits of the 9th. The recording itself is fine and makes a great addition to any classical library.