Customer Reviews

Dvorák's New World Symphony and Other Orchestral Masterworks [Hybrid SACD]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have several CD's of Dvorak's 9th Symphony but it's unlikely I will play them again. The performance is the best I've heard and the recording is outstanding. My wife, who doesn't even particularly like classical music, came into the room when I played this recording the first time and actually sat down and listened to the whole CD. That might be a first for her and the fact that she was impressed, impresses me.

I've been buying a number of the RCA Living Stereo SACD's recently and I'm more impressed every time I listen to them. I also have a few of the Mercury Living Presence CD's and SACD's which are also outstanding (although the Living Presence SACD's are premium priced). Considering more recent recordings of the same works, the performances and the sound are both better on the 45-50 year old recordings than on the current DDD's.

To those who want to buy recordings of the most popular classical works, I would highly recommend Living Stereo and Living Presence CD's and SACD's. Of the Dvorak's "From The New World" Symphony recordings available, I consider this a first choice.

RCA has a vast and incredible library of classical music recordings, particularly in its LIVING STEREO series, and over the years has re-released some of its great titles. One of the more popular and enduring recordings in this series is Fritz Reiner's recording of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. People familiar with the LP version will instantly recognize it distinctive cover with a photograph of the Statue of Liberty, the same monument which would have greeted Dvorak when he first visited the United States and where he was inspired to write this great work.

The showpiece of the recording is Dvorak's 9th. Recorded in 1957, the orchestra has a hearty sound. Both Reiner and the orchestra seem familiar with the work. Reiner moves the work along, and is particularly vigorous in his conducting of the fourth movement, which may not be to everyone's liking, but works well with this recording. The CD also contains three other works that are in keeping with Dvorak's 9th. Two are overtures: a robust version of Dvorak's "Carnival Overture," and a lively recording of Smetena's overture to "The Bartered Bride." The third piece is Weinberger's Polka and Fugue from "Schwanda the Bagpiper." Interestingly, while he conducts the Dvorak's pieces with energy, the Weinberger piece is conducted a bit slower than other recordings of the work.

One bonus of the re-release of the "Living Stereo" recordings is that they contain the original liner notes from the LP. Since this CD is a compilation from two different LP's, the liner notes from both are included in this set. RCA has not re-released as many of the titles as they promised ten years ago when they first opened the vaults. Let's hope some of the other great titles will be released in the near future.

A well thought out and impassioned classic performance of Dvorak's 9th from Reiner and the CSO, who are both in excellent form here.
The SACD transfer allows you to really hear all of the little details in the score/recording with stunning clarity. Woodwind and horn solos come out firmly placed and well defined rather than lost in the mix. The rich sound produced by these musicians is well served, faithfully reproduced.
The Bartered Bride Overture is given a lively and striking performance, string sections digging in ferociously, and it is nice to have the Weinberger piece, more of a rarity, given such high quality treatment.

I got the impression that these particular recordings are showing their age a bit more than some of the other Living Stereo master tapes, but the sound is still incredible all things considered. The symphony is presented in its original three-track multichannel, and it is well worth hearing it in that format.
All in all, another fine addition to this series of remasterings.

As good as it gets. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the "old days."
I cannot speak for the other titles, but Dvorak's 9th was very good indeed...

Be sure you get the Hybrid SACD version and not an SACD unless you have an SACD player...

Has there ever been a better, tighter, cleaner, more brilliant, consise, exciting, thoughtful, and thoroughly enjoyable perforance of this old war-horse? I surely doubt it. This is classical music at it's best and one of Reiner's most spectactular recordings. For anyone wanting an introduction to classical music or even those who have jaded ears listening to other recordings of this great masterpiece, the is THE recording to own.

Thoroughly enjoy this classic rendition by maestro Fritz Reiner. Even without a SACD player, this CD has sonic brilliance, highly recommend.

This is by far the best recording of the New World Symphony. Regardless of its age, there is not question that this recording has stood the test of time. There is not a more meticulous and passionate recording of this piece. The famous Reiner Sound can be heard loud and clear in the first and fourth movements. The famous second movement reflects the mastery of dynamic control that Reiner wielded. While the other pieces were intended as mostly filler to justify the price, they're definitely quality recordings.

I've been enthralled with the works of Antonin Dvorak since I first heard his Slavonic Dances. Symphony No. 9 Represents his most famous work, inspired by American folk melodies. Most will find Op. 96 to be eerily familiar and think of it as being American in origin, but it's not. This work represents a series of sweeping, majestic melodies that range from serious as in Op. 95 to whimsical, as with Scherzo Capriccioso. This CD is a must for classical music lovers.

Dvorak's "New World" has always been a favorite of mine. Over the years my music collection has become all CDs. I sold or gave away my hundreds of records and have replaced most of the favorites on records with the CD version. This recording of New World proved to be one excellent replacement choice. The sound is incredible.

For a recording from the 50's, this remastering as an SACD is an auditory experience that may astound the listener. The dynamic range and presence rivals SACDs that I have from present day recordings with the technologies available to create a digital representation from the sound board to the final consumer product. This is a superb recording, and I don't know of any extant peer.