Search - Dvorak, Fischer, Bfo :: Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9

Best recorded SACD I have heard - superb!

Alexander Leach | Shipley, West Yorkshire United Kingdom | 04/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's not often I give 5 stars, so let me tell you why.I have had the normal stereo CD for a few years and concur with nearly all reviewers that this is a quite outstanding version of the Eighth, played with superb style, power and elegance by the Budapest FO under Fischer.The Ninth is also excellent - not a first choice for me, but with so many fine versions of these symphonies from Talich, Kubelik, Szell, Karajan, Bernstein, Walter and others, there can't really be a top choice.What sets this SACD apart (and the reason I passed on the original CD and bought this new format) is the quite superb DSD 5 channel recording it enjoys, as the original recording was actually made in multi-channel format.I have played this CD to several people who might naturally be cynical about this new format, but all were stunned by the depth, range and realism of the soundstage. The sonority of string tone, the clarity and placement of wind solos, the sheer panoply of orchestral sound are presented to the listener in a way I have never heard other than in a fine concert hall. This SACD genuinely sounds like the orchestra are laid before you, playing these two great works. Phenomenal, there's no other word for it.Great performances, wonderful sound, on a hybrid SACD that will play on normal equipment like my car CD changer. Buying this disc is a no-brainer, really!"

Fine Dvorak

William Dodd | Castle Rock, WA USA | 05/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The bad news is that this disc has been discontinued by Universal Classics. The good news is that I'm told it has been licensed to Channel Classics, Fischer's current home, for a Hybrid SACD release later this year. I have the original, and it is a fine performance, beautifully recorded---maybe a tad too much "hall" in the multi-channel mix, but you get used to that quickly.



A fabulous disc-- and it will be again."