Symphony 9 New World / Symphony in D Minor [Original recording remastered]

Antonin Dvorak (Artist, Composer), Cesar Franck (Artist, Composer), Mengelberg (Artist, Conductor), Concertgebouw Orch (Artist, Performer), Willem Mengelberg (Artist), Concertgebouw Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Concertgebouw Orch
• Conductor: Mengelberg
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak, Cesar Franck
• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000059QUR
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,089 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sym in d: I. Lento-Allegro Non Troppo

2. Sym in d: II. Allegretto, Ma Non Troppo

3. Sym in d: III. Allegro Non Troppo

4. Sym No.9 in e, B178 (Op.95) 'From The New World': I. Adagio-Allegro Molto

5. Sym No.9 in e, B178 (Op.95) 'From The New World': II. Largo

6. Sym No.9 in e, B178 (Op.95) 'From The New World': III. Scherzo. Molto Vivace

7. Sym No.9 in e, B178 (Op.95) 'From The New World': IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Willem Mengelberg was the prototypical arch-Romantic conductor, taking freedoms more common to an earlier age. In part, that accounts for the enduring fascination of his interpretations, which, however odd-sounding to modern ears, can often result in compelling performances that make listeners hear familiar works anew. The Franck, with its own Romantic excesses, doesn't always respond well to an approach full of arbitrary tempo changes, but Mengelberg tempers the work's lushness with a hard-driving performance that generates excitement. The Dvorák is also driven hard, but there are luscious pauses to smell the flowers. Bryan Crimp's transfers of the mediocre original recordings from 1940-1941, are first-rate, helping to make this release attractive to Mengelberg's many fans and collectors of historical recordings. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars When an 'engineer' ruins everything..., August 13, 2011

By 

Lucio G. S. Soares - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Symphony 9 New World / Symphony in D Minor (Audio CD)

What do "engineers" have in their heads to treat such masterpieces the way Mr. Crimp did with these Mengelberg recordings? They're 'overfiltered' and with serious problems of balance in the Franck Symphony. As a result, one does not hear the clicks and noises present in the original, but high frequencies are not present either. IMO Mr. Crimp made the "mediocre" originals sound even more mediocre.

As for the performances, if you appreciate Mengelberg's abilities as a colorist (like I do) and if you're, just like me, a fan of his surprising and funny rubati, these performances are for you. But, for God's sake, try to purchase the earlier Teldec reissue of the Dvorak (Symphony 9 " New World ") and the Opus Kura edition of the Franck (Franck: Symphony in D; French Music). With all the clicks and noises/hiss there's much more music in these alternative releases.

The performances deserve 5 stars, but the "remastering"...

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning performance, March 5, 2008

By 

Devoted reader (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphony 9 New World / Symphony in D Minor (Audio CD)

Recording during a live performance after the Germans occupied Amsterdam, Dvorak's "New World" Symphony throbs with emotion (Mengelberg was involved in sheltering the Jewish members of the orchestra and helping them to escape). Did the orchestra and conductor collectively look beyond the Nazis in the audience, toward the freedom represented by the United States?