Search - Antonin Dvorak, Myung-Whun Chung, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Dvorák: Serenades

Splendid Performances Of Dvorak's Serenades From VPO

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 08/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Admittedly this is an expensive CD to acquire, but it is still worth having simply for the elegant, warm playing from the Vienna Philharmonic's string and wind sections, aided by the warm, rich acoustics of the Musikverein, the Vienna Philharmonic's concert hall. Conductor Myung-Whun Chung leads both sections of the orchestra in vibrant, distinguished performances of both serenades; among Antonin Dvorak's lesser known orchestral works. The sound quality is impeccable, due to Deutsche Grammophon's state-of-the-art recording."

A Beautiful Delight

Christopher McKoy | La Canada Flintridge, CA United States | 02/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this CD is some of the most pleasant classical chamber music ever written. I find that of the hundreds of classical CDs I own, it is one of those I listen to the most. Though both pieces are good, the String Serenade in E is the real gem - it is surely one of the most melodic, charming, and delightful pieces for strings after Mozart's popular Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. The opening moderato movement will undoubtedly cheer you up, whatever your mood. If all you know of Dvorak is the "New World symphony, these wonderful chamber pieces are from a wholly different sound world. There is certainly none of the 9th symphony's pathos and grandeur here, just beautiful and charming melody, but without sinking into triviality and banality.



Chung and the Vienna Philharmonic establish the perfect tempos for these pieces, which lose something of their charm if played too slowly and lose their melodic spell if played too fast.

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