Dvorak: Slavonic Dances

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), George Szell (Conductor), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra
• Conductor: George Szell
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (January 29, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005YD5H
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,051 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Dances

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A basic for every collection, August 31, 2005

By 

Presbyteros "This Is the Record of John" (Glassboro, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dvorak: Slavonic Dances (Audio CD)

I have owned almost every incarnation of this recording, including one where the producer took out the repeats to get it on one lp! There was even a CD with four dances of contrasting type and key to make up a kind of "suite" that works very well. This is simply the best performance of this piece, with the Cleveland Orchestra becoming a Czech orchestra under George Szell, who knew how to do it! Every little turn, every little lift is executed perfectly, with the Orchestra leaning into the dance rhythms, ala Reiner in Chicago with Bartok. It is the difference between reading rhythms, and FEELING them. Szell and Dvorak (on records) go back to the 1930's (check out the Dvorak concerto with Casals, coupled with the New World on Dutton). The only drawback is the 1960's Columbia recording technique. There is never a true pianissimo. But I think the performance is helped by the dryness. You don't want a wash of sound. Don't think that you'll trade up from this budget CD. This is a "keeper".

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slavonic Dances to listen to, October 27, 2002

By 

Bruce Gray "gurpsgm" (Shenandoah Valley, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak: Slavonic Dances (Audio CD)

It's hard to believe that I was the first to review this fine rendition of Dvorak's complete 16 Slavonic Dances.

The Cleveland Orchestra is at its best with Szell at the baton, and it has never been more obvious than on this release. Both discs are obviously played by people who love Dvorak and particularly his Slavonic Dances.

This wonderful two disc set would have rated a perfect five stars if it had better sonic balance. Some of the finer pianissimos are sadly lacking in ambience.

However, don't let this deter you from adding this wonderful set to your collection, especially at this price. The acoustics are nearly perfect, and enhances the orchestra's sound.

Highly recomnded to Dvorak fans, and recommended for classical music lovers everywhere.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Interpretations From Szell Of Dvorak's Scores, July 24, 2003

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak: Slavonic Dances (Audio CD)

George Szell did a fine job getting a rich, warm, almost Viennese tone, from his Cleveland Orchestra, and no where is it more apparent than in this still spellbinding set of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances. Admittedly the sound quality isn't up to par to recent recordings, but this is still an interpretation worth listening to, led by someone who truly had a great affinity for Dvorak's music. I doubt I have heard the Cleveland Orchestra's winds or strings play with such passion and lyricism. Without question, this was among the finest recordings made by the orchestra under the baton of Maestro Szell.