Gotta Love It!
Trevor Gillespie | San Jose, California United States | 02/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On this particular CD, we find Leonard Bernstein giving his interpretations to Dvorak's 7th Symphony (my personal favorite). This performance is fine indeed. The tempos seem to be a hair slower than many versions I have heard but this allows a fresh perspective to the work. It allows the work to develop and blossom better. Bernstein brings out details in the score you haven't heard before. Particularly in the first movement there is a wonderful trill on the french horns that had previously escaped my ear. As the Amazon.com reviewer said, the final movement cooks. Dvorak had a talent for composing beautiful energetic and great melodies, and the 7th symphony is full of them. Bernstein and the orchestra show us this. Along with this symphony, you get a great performance of the Bartered Bride Overture, the dances which are great fun, and the Moldau.....well I just love this one."
Bernstein the Czech?
J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 07/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this cd on the weight of the Amazon review and have not been disappointed. In fact, I am struck by the excellent remastering job done by Sony and the marvellous sound from 1963. Besides that the performance of the Seventh shows off to great effect the nationalistic melodies Dvorak was inclined to put in his music. They can be easily picked out here, and the dynamic contrasts Bernstein is able to draw out of the NYPO is striking indeed. Notice the last few bars of both the first and second movements played with great attention to detail and volume. The third movement Scherzo bounces along nicely, and the final movement brings it all to an appropriate climax. The Smetana pieces are no less admirable and if you haven't heard the pieces from the Bartered Bride, I urge you to hear this. Of course the Moldau is a nice bonus too. An enjoyable disc."
Inspiring Czech Symphonic Music
rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 08/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic provide a passionate and thrilling performance of two Bohemian giant composers, Dvorak and Smetana.
Just finishing a biography of Smetana, I now understand the connection more between Dvorak and Smetana, especially in the national opera setting that Smetana languished for and even aided Dvorak along this path.
These renditions are magical in their grace and power, the nationalistic sounds of march and tension and strife are played with gusto and fine tempo, while the Moldau and Dances from Bartered Bride are light and airy in the appropriate places.
Fine brass and string efforts. All in all, magical performances of both major composers. Fine grouping of compositions. Excellent value. To be enjoyed."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1