George, Szell, Dvorak: Three Great Symphonies ( Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9) [Original recording remastered]

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

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra
• Conductor: George Szell
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak, Bedrich Smetana
• Audio CD (June 16, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000007QCH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,454 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General
  • #64 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

George Szell's great musical hero was Toscanini, but the truth is that on any given day Szell was probably the better conductor. Of course, comparisons like this aren't fair, especially when so much of Szell's musical prime has been preserved in really good sound, which certainly isn't true of the great Italian conductor. But it's worth pointing out all the same, because all of Toscanini's best qualities are here. The razor-sharp rhythms, perfect orchestral balances, and, where required, stunning power of the orchestra are all placed in the service of Dvorák's magnificent music. The result is that the "interpretation" as such simply vanishes; you experience an inevitable, organic musical discourse. It's what all great conductors aspire to- -but for Szell, it was all in a day's work. Essential. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Heritage Release of Szell's Work, March 22, 2000

By 

Paul Bunkerr (New London, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: George, Szell, Dvorak: Three Great Symphonies ( Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9) (Audio CD)

While Szell was conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, his name was closely associated with the music of Dvorak. Szell's recordings of the Slavonic Dances and the three "great" symphonies have been part of everyone's classical record library since they were released. These performances are beautifully captured in these re-mastered discs and the packaging by Sony is wonderful as usual. The orchestration of Smetena's "From My Life" is an interesting and effective period piece that shows Szell's total mastery of writing for orchestra. A great recording you should have in your collection! Too bad Sony has not released Szell's old Columbia recording of Dvorak's Piano Concerto!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it., August 27, 2000

By 

bruce horner - See all my reviews

This review is from: George, Szell, Dvorak: Three Great Symphonies ( Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9) (Audio CD)

Though Sony doesn't give you a break on price, these two discs are well worth the money. Superb renditions of Dvorak's 7th, 8th, and 9th symphonies and some extras (the Carnival Overture, the Smetana) plus great packaging. Old fans of this music tell me that the engineers have worked sonic wonders here; all I know is that it sounds good. Hard to believe that this is the first time this 7th has seen the light of day on CD, but there you have it.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The DEFINITIVE Dvorak recordings, June 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: George, Szell, Dvorak: Three Great Symphonies ( Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9) (Audio CD)

Tremendous re-mastered sound, an unequalled caliber of orchestral talent and one of the greatest conductors of the century all combine to make this THE set of Dvorak 7-8-9 to have. There's none better.