Which Dvorak 9th?
Posted by: DrMark on 12 October 2013
Open to suggestions for this his most famous symphony, especially in conjunction with other works to flesh out my Dvorak (right now I only have his 7th by Monteaux & the LSO.) But I want to find good recordings of good performances.
And thanks in advance.
I know this may not be a 'popular' version, but I've always loved this. Sound quality is very good,too, to my ears :
This is the one we have. Quite good, I think.
This is my favourite:
Pro: Great performance, despite the conductor and orchestra not perhaps being the most famous. Penguin Guide like it: '...ensemble in both works is first rate, readily matching the finest rival versions. The quality of the playing, warmly idiomatic both in Martinu and Dvorak, is enhanced by the refinement and clarity of the brilliant Telarc recording'. It's an SACD, if that's of interest.
Con: The coupling isn't Dvorak, as the OP would prefer, but nothing otherwise as far as I'm concerned.
I know this may not be a 'popular' version, but I've always loved this. Sound quality is very good,too, to my ears :
This is a wonderful recommendation along with Fricsay and Kubelik. All are great in their own way, so you have some good choices here.
Cheers,
BBM
Don't forget the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra when considering Dvorak or Smetana. Vaclav Neumann wasn't the most famous director of the Czech Philharmonic, but he's pretty good and he was fortunate to be there when the digital age started (which for Supraphon proved a huge boost to SQ). These are very good performances of the last three symphonies, with the eighth unfortunately spread over two discs.
Cheers,
EJ