Customer Reviews

Dvorak: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 8

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I fell in love with the sixth symphony when I bought the Dvorak symphony cycle by Kubelik. I loved it even more when I bought the Kertesz set on London. I also bought another recording of it, but with each performance I felt that the conductor was restraining the orchestra and not allowing the symphony to fully expand. This is not the case with the performance by the Vienna Philharmonic with Myung-Whun Chung at the helm. Chung leads this symphony just like it is one of the last three Dvorak symphonies. The result is an experience leaving you with the confusion as to why this symphony is not in the regular repetoire alongside 7, 8, and 9. As usual, the Vienna strings are gorgeous. The sound is crisp and detailed (although recorded at a slightly lower volume than most DG records). Tempi are well judged and the climaxes are allowed full breathing room which in my opinion really lets the symphony shine like it hasn't before.

The 8th Symphony has always been a very favorite of mine in the symphonic repetoire. With its very hummable melodies and terrific finale, it never ceases to impress me as one of the truly fun and great symphonies. Owning six different recordings of this symphony has helped me discern what I like in this symphony over what I don't like. This recording ranks up among my favorites. Particularly, the finale. The french horns are allowed to shine in this movement and they are some of the finest french horn players you'll hear on record.

Myung-Whun Chung may not be the first conductor's name that comes to mind for devotees of Dvorak's symphonies, but this recording with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra should change that. Rarely has a conductor found the sunniness and refreshing folk rhythms inherent in Dvorak as has Chung.

The Symphony No. 6 in D major was first published as No. 1 and in many ways it is the most luminous of the cycle. Here Chung uncovers all of the joy and lilting romanticism the '6th' contains. It is a joyous reading. And the same can be said of the Symphony No. 8 first published as No. 4. This is mature Dvorak fully in control of his orchestral language, finding the balance between lyricism and folk melodies that make this one of Dvorak's most popular works.

And so it is a welcome addition to the Dvorak recordings to discover Myung-Whun Chung's masterly approach to these works. Recommended for the standard library of classics! Grady Harp, March 06

This blisteringly good release crackles with musical excitement. Sometimes we get so familiar with the music of Dvorak that we tend to take it for granted, but Chung's exciting performance reminds us just what a wonderful composer Dvorak was. If you can listen to the finale of the 8th without jumping up from your chair either to dance or to conduct, then you must have been strapped down. The warm sound of the Vienna Philharmonic is well suited to this music, and their sound is captured well by the DG recording team.

When you buy a cd of a specific pop singer, or R&B or country group, usually you know before hand if you like it or not. With classical music is different. Every time is a bet, you really don't know what you are going to get (if you haven't heard the cd). So many distinct approaches to the same piece. I must say I won this bet. I bought this cd because there was no other version available, but I was impressed with its quality. The right combination of strength and passion. Myung-Whun Chung makes the melodies stroll smoothly over the harmony, like the perfect walk in a park. He seems to understand that virtuosity is unnecessary, the piece speaks by itself. The Sixth Symphony first movement alone worth the buy.

I have not heard any other performance but find this work very energetic and vibrant.

The playing if beautiful and clear. If there is a better recording I would love to know because it would have to be amazing! IHO