Karel Ancerl Conducts the Czech Philharmonic [Import, Original recording remastered]

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), Bedrich Smetana (Composer), Karel Ancerl (Conductor), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Karel Ancerl
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak, Modest Mussorgsky, Bedrich Smetana
• Audio CD (February 6, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Aura Classics
• ASIN: B000059M4K
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,611 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Prodaná nevesta (The Bartered Bride), overture to the opera

2. Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): Adagio...Allegro molto

3. Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): Largo

4. Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): Molto vivace...Poco sostenuto

5. Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): Allegro con fuoco

6. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade

7. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Gnomus

8. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade

9. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Il vecchio castello

10. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade

11. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Tuileries (Dispute d'enfants aprčs jeux)

12. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Bydlo

13. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade

14. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Ballet des poussins dans leurs coques

15. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle

16. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Limoges, le marché (La grande nouvelle)

17. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Catacombæ (Sepulchrum Romanum)

18. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Cum mortuis in lingua mortua

19. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: La Cabane sur des pattes de poule (Baba Yaga)

20. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vīstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: La grande porte de Kiev

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb performances of Dvorak, Mussorgsky, and Smetana, November 15, 2008

By 

LJM (Earth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Karel Ancerl Conducts the Czech Philharmonic (Audio CD)

Occasionally, as a collector, you may come across old recordings that strike you as nothing but amazing, while being completely ignored or critized by the professional reviewers.

The present CD is a case of this. Musicweb reviewed it in 2002, but they didn't take it to be a "buried treasure". By contrast, I do.

This is a 1958 Lugano recording of Karel Ancerl conducting the Czech Philharmonic on tour. It's a live performace. The programme is as follows:

1. B. Smetana, Ouverture to The Barterned Bride.

2. A. Dvorak, Symphony No. 9 in E minor.

3. M. Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel), Pictures at an Exhibition.

All these works are getting riveting, explosive but at the same time perfectly consistent interpretations, which strike me as more or less unsurpassed. The sound from the mono recording is also outstanding, with a lot of detail, depth and presence. The orchestral playing is second to none.

Now there are other Ancerl recordings of these works, i.e.,

Smetana: Ancerl Gold Edition 29: Famous Overtures (WEBER, SHOSTAKOVICH, MOZART, BEETHOVEN, WAGNER, SMETANA, GLINKA, BERLIOZ, ROSSINI).

Dvorak: Dvorak: Symphony no. 9.

Mussorgsky: Ancerl Gold Edition 4: Pictures at an Exhibition.

These studio performances are also outstanding, and belong to every collection. But the 1958 Lugano adds the extra frisson of a live performance, which sometimes makes a great difference even with an excellent orchestra. The present recording is such a case. There are no dull moments here, every note sparkle and shine. So this is a recording to return to, many times. In particular, I take the present performance of Dvorak 9 to be ranked among the very best on record.

Warmly recommended!

0 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ermitage, January 14, 2006

By 

Geers "1503pharos" (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Karel Ancerl Conducts the Czech Philharmonic (Audio CD)

ermitage is the label. Excellent music only the cover of this recording featuring an ancerl that must have just returned form the shower is ugly.