Dvorak - Symphony No.9 / Carnival Overture

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), André Previn (Conductor), Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: André Previn
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (July 23, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003CWO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,127 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting., April 27, 2002

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D. Seymour "snadmus" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak - Symphony No.9 / Carnival Overture (Audio CD)

I have to say that I do love the Carnival Overture and that it is a great way to begin this CD. The colors are splashy and bold and burst from an infectious rythmic structure that typifies excitement. The Carnival Overture makes a great introduction for the New World Symphony by presenting you with something light and joyful before being plunged into 40 minutes of serious business. I do agree with the previous reviewer in that this recording of Dvorak's 9th Symphony lacks some of the emotional punch that other recordings have. However, Previn's languid direction makes for very atmospheric listening. It is a very warm and relaxing version of the 9th - almost as if Dvorak's rugged turmoil is being passed through the softer prism of Saint-Saens.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Carnival Overture, May 1, 2001

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Trevor Gillespie "sol_man" (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak - Symphony No.9 / Carnival Overture (Audio CD)

The highlight of this disc is the Carnival Overture, one of Dvorak's most melodic and happy overtures. There are a number of recordings of this overture on record, but Andre Previn's account is one of the most exciting and satisfying versions I've heard to date. The playing by the orchestra is very clean and crisp (and caught wonderfully by Telarc).

The reason that I give this disc a 4 star rating instead of 5 is the performance of Dvorak's 9th Symphony. As one of the most recognizable and popular symphonies in the orchestral repetoire, the competition is fierce for making a record that really stands out above the crowd. In my opinion, this performance fails to do so. Although, not a horrible performance by any means, Previn leads a performance that just isn't up to par with my favorites (which include Bernstein's recording from the 60's, Karajan's recording from the 70s, Dohnanyi's recording from the 80's, and Kertesz's recording from the 60's).

There are two main problems with this recording. One, the tempos in the first, third, and fourth movement seem a little sluggish. While a slower tempo can be effective in some situations, this symphony doesn't fare well from sluggish tempos. As you listen you feel that the symphony is just plodding along. The second thing that I don't like is the lack of accents in the strings. My favorite recordings of the 9th symphony all use the string sections to great effect with strong emphasis on the accents Dvorak wrote. Previn's performance sounds like he has told the string players to disregard any accents, which makes the performance sound less invigorating and too polished.

Having stated my qualms with this recording, I would like to note that the recording is still a good one. As I said before, by no means is it a bad recording of this incredible work. It's just not at the top of my list. It's been in Telarc's catalogue for almost 15 years which stands as a testament not only to it being a quality recording but also a testament to the popularity of the piece. Also, you won't be displeased with the Carnival Overture. I don't regret buying this CD just because the overture is so good.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Electrifying Performance, May 1, 2010

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Christopher Smith (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dvorak - Symphony No.9 / Carnival Overture (Audio CD)

I'm puzzled by the negative reviews here. I've always been a fan of Previn, ever since I bought the still definitive Previn-Ashkenazy Rachmaninoff piano concertos many years ago, and his Sibelius violin concerto with Perlman is one of the best choices available in that competitive field. Even though this is such a well-known and oft-recorded symphony, and I have heard many recordings (besides Previn, I have copies of Von Dohnanyi and Szell) and performances of it, Previn's stands out for the dynamic, propulsive energy of the opening movement and the countervailing lyricism of the largo. The first movement conveys all the excitement and the European's consciousness of the vitality and natural grandeur of the Americas; it takes you up by the scruff of the neck and never lets go. As for the largo, it's appropriately lush, lyrical, gorgeous and melancholy, and the wind and horn sections of the LAPO certainly earned their keep on this occasion. Taken as a whole, you have here a deeply satisfying performance. So, there are many choices out there that are equally satisfying, but I feel that this 1990 effort from Previn is up there with the best of them.