Dvorak: Symphony Nos.7 & 8

Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Christoph von Dohnányi (Conductor), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra
• Conductor: Christoph von Dohnányi
• Composer: Antonin Dvorak
• Audio CD (April 14, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000041YV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,186 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( C ) > Cleveland Orchestra
  #23 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( D ) > Dvorák, Antonín
  #42 in	Music > Classical > Symphonies > Romantic

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This orchestra learned to play these symphonies under the legendary George Szell, whose Sony recordings have been reissued on CD and remain a prime recommendation in this music. For those seeking digital sound, however, these new versions are very distinguished, combining the Cleveland Orchestra's customary superb ensemble with a warmth and urgency of expression usually in short supply from this conductor. At mid-price, this is an excellent recommendation. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Better, December 19, 1999

By	Jonathan (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

I have long been a fan of The Cleveland Orchestra, but this recording of Dvorak's 7-8 is top of the line. The precision, expression, and energy present in the conducting, performance, and recording are unbeatable. This is the Cleveland Orchestra at the zenith of symphonic performance. It is not only the best recording of these two works, though there are many outstanding ones to be recommended, but it is a nearly flawless display by the Cleveland Orchestra and among the best of any symphonic recording ever produced! A must have!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent recorded sound, December 16, 1999

By	J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When I first purchased this disc, it was my first experience of Dvorak. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I fell in love with Dvorak's music because of this disc. The Cleveland Orchestra has a long history of performing Dvorak well, and it really shows in this disc. Also, it is immediately clear this is a digital recording because the sound is unusually clear and defined. The final movement of the 8th is particularly spine tingling. At mid price it is a great choice.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Bargain, May 23, 2006

By	M. C. Passarella "lpassarella" (Lawrenceville, GA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Initially, these recordings were no bargain at all despite the excellence of the performance and recording. They were stingily issued by Decca/London on two separate CDs. But as the LP went away and the industry grudgingly admitted a CD could successfully accommodate more music, two Dvorak symphonies on a disc became the norm. Hence this oxymoronic pairing--Dvorak's darkest and most dramatic symphony along with one of his sunniest and most refulgent. The Seventh must also be accounted his greatest symphony, with a finale that is obviously autobiographical: the hard-won semi-triumph of the turn from D minor to D major in the cadence is a portrait of Dvorak himself in his rise from obscure local musician to international figure. More, it reflects the stoic acceptance of tragedy that was the lot of nineteenth-century folk, ignorant of the boons of modern medicine. Dvorak, after all, knew the heartache attendant on the death of one's children.

That tragic sense, that great tension, are captured beautifully in this performance and recording. The Cleveland play with incredible intensity and provide a dark but beautiful sound top to bottom, as do the London engineers. I venture to say this is a great recording of a great symphony, one that will be treasured long into the future, I predict.

Then there is the sunny Eighth Symphony. The performance is just as apt, just as attuned to Dvorak's muse.

If this is the pairing of Dvorak symphonies that you're looking for, given the marriage of executant excellence and first-rate recording, certainly it must be the first choice regardless of price.