Customer Reviews

Smetana: Má Vlast; Dvorák: Czech Suite; Symphony No. 4

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the first (Smetana) disc, I must very agree with mr. Evan Wilson. I tried to ask maestro Pesek, what went wrong in the time of recording (illnesses of key orchestra player, pressure from Virgin, or something like this), but friend of me, whose far uncle mr. Pesek is, hasn't been in contact with him up to now.
I wanted this recording very much, but major disappointment came over me after couple of listenings of Smetana's disc. The most critical problem is orchestra's performance during Allegro (or faster) tempos of all the compositions - especially in Vysehrad and Vlava, orchestra seems very hasty a unsychronized, the same could be said about Presto at the end of "Z ceskych luhu a haju", which is completely lacking details, loosing notes and is very shoddy (makeshift). The other problem is the brass section ; in Sarka, they play very well and is apparent, that they are excellent players, but - sometimes, and it is no rare, they falter and no one knows, why. In the other words, performance of brass section is very unsatisfied.
The second disc is contrary ; all pieces are performed very well, the sound of recording is much clearer than the Liverpool RPO one, and also the orchestra seems more concentrated to its playing.
I am giving three stars, because first disc is below-average and the second one above-average. For the price, it is good buy, if you wouldn't listen to performance of "Ma Vlast". Go for rare but perfect Smetacek / Czech PO from 1980 if you can, or for some of top Kubelik's recordings. This one will only harm you love for "Ma Vlast", if there's any.

Had this two-CD set cost the price of most similar sets (say [$$]) I would have had a hard time recommending it because the Smetana is a dreadfully dull performance. The English orchestra doesn't seem to have any feel for the idiom, and Maestro Pesek sounds bored with a piece that requires fiery leadership to carry it through some occasionally dry longeurs. If you're looking for a great "Ma Vlast" stick with Ancerl, Talich or Kubelik (try the mid-priced DG recording) even if the older sound on those recordings can't match Virgin's recording.

This disc gets 4 stars from me, however, because it only costs [$$] and it contains the single most lovely recording of Dvorak's sorely neglected, rather Wagnerian 4th symphony. Pesek doesn't quite match Kertesz's fire in this symphony, but here the difference in sound easily makes up the difference. Just listen to the constantly weaving melodies of the slow movement and try not to be seduced. Or wallow when the second theme of the finale arrives.

Getting the Czech Suite and My Home overture are a substantial bonus and both performances are solid and feature more of Virgin's incredible sound. If you don't know Dvorak's 4th, here's a mid-priced way to acquaint yourself with a wonderfully rich and beautiful piece. And because of the price, you don't have to feel guilty if you want to give away the Smetana.

It's unusual to find an inexpensive release that fills two CDs with impeccably matched classics that are as beautifully recorded as they are performed. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Czech Philharmonic, both under the baton of Libor Pesek, play superbly here, rendering the pieces with an energy and precision that is deeply moving and always appropriate. The recordings are digital, done in 1989 and 1995; the sound is clear, balanced, and dynamic, capturing the ambience of the concert halls without muddiness. Only aficionados of older analog recordings should pass this one up. An excellent buy.

The deduction of 0.01 stars only for the somewhat boring interpretation of the prelude in the Czech Suite (CD2/track 2). All other pieces on both CD's are simply outstanding and can hardly be done better. In particular the Romance (Andante con moto; CD2/track 5) deserves special attention: listen and you can't help gently swaying along with the tender rythm. What a difference vs. Antal Dorati's previous reading with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra where this piece sounded rather sad whilst this here seems to be floating in the air... Excellent sound quality and clarity add to the listening pleasure, and last but not least the price is more than competitive.