Symphony No. 9; Slavonic Dances

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Kurt Masur (Conductor), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Conductor: Kurt Masur
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (March 10, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000SEJ
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,330 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 9 In E minor, op 95: Adagio - Allegro Molto

2. Symphony No. 9 In E minor, op 95: Largo

3. Symphony No. 9 In E minor, op 95: Molto vivace

4. Symphony No. 9 In E minor, op 95: Allegro con fuoco

5. Slavonic Dances: Dumka, op. 72,2

6. Slavonic Dances: Sousedská, op. 46,6

7. Slavonic Dances: Furiant, op. 46,8

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This sizzling performance of Dvorák's last symphony came as something of a surprise. Kurt Masur is usually a solid but unexciting conductor. It seems that he really loves this symphony, for his performance is as dynamic and passionate as any in the catalog. What's less controversial is the fact that he has the New York Philharmonic playing magnificently, making this also one of the best versions around from the technical point of view. It's up there with the select few, no doubt about it. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, moving... a masterpiece., October 13, 1998

By 

Lucas Westcott-baker (Goleta, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Symphony No. 9; Slavonic Dances (Audio CD)

Definitely the best performance of Dvorak's 9th I have ever heard. Besides mere technical expertise (flawless!), it has an emotional element that is lacking in many other renditions. Much stronger in the tenor and bass ranges than other performances of his 9th, this album is incredibly powerful.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Going Home" Greatness, May 23, 2001

By 

Jay W. Kvale (Albert Lea, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphony No. 9; Slavonic Dances (Audio CD)

Of the 100 or so recordings of Dvorak's last and best known symphony, this one goes to the top of the list. Maestro Masur and his superb orchestra play with precision and passion, breathing both drama and poetry into this great work. The opening movement begins slowly but then sweeps the listener along with rich string playing and exquisite flute solos, culminating in a truly awesome trombone entrance at the end. Thomas Stacy's playing of the famous "going home" theme in the Largo will melt your heart, and again the brass choirs open the gates of heaven in awesome fashion near the end, followed by a magical transition to the serene coda. The third movement is taken at a leisurely pace, allowing the woodwind solos to breathe and sing, but the drama returns with a powerfully played finale. The three lively Slavonic Dances are also well-played but anticlimactic after the magnificent performance of the symphony. Taken from a live performance, the recording has a few unobtrusive noises and a couple of overly loud horn entrances, but the sense of almost "being there" and participating in the grand sweep, power, and beauty of a special occasion, along with the near-perfection of the playing, completely overcome any reservations. The Teldec engineers have captured it in rich and spacious sound, which displays Dvorak's Slavic sound and wonderful orchestral effects in marvelous detail. This recording is a must for all those who appreciate great music and great orchestral playing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the New York Philharmonic's best in the Masur era, March 30, 2001

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Symphony No. 9; Slavonic Dances (Audio CD)

Kurt Masur is often criticized for being a gifted technician, but emotionally uninspiring, at the podium. Such criticism isn't valid here. This is one of the most emotionally stirring performances I have heard of Dvorak's "New World" 9th Symphony, ably recorded by Teldec's sound engineers. Masur pours his heart and soul into his conducting, and the result is a splendid, technically superb, yet vibrant, performance by the New York Philharmonic. The winds, brass and string sections play with much exuberant warmth, without missing Masur's cues for technical perfection. As usual, Teldec's engineers have produced a well-balanced recording which captures all the subtle textures in this monumental work of late 19th Century classical music. When Kurt Masur finally leaves the podium as the New York Philharmonic's music director next spring, this recording will be long remembered as one of his finest artistic triumphs.