Search - Antonin Dvorak, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Dvorák: Symphony No. 1; Legends Nos. 1-5

Great performances of underrated works

dvorakfan | USA | 12/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dvorak's early symphonies are highly and wrongfully neglected works. Though his first symphony is an immature work, one can already notice Dvorak's style emerging, and the melodies are already wonderfully memorable. Here Gunzenhauser conducts a wonderful performance of this symphony. The first movement is dramatic and sweet at the same time with the tempi just right, while the second movement is wonderfully relaxed and atmospheric. In this movement, the woodwinds need to be commended for playing with such perfection and clarity. The third movement again demonstrates the skills of the woodwind section and has plenty of flair. The fourth movement is majestic and the final minutes are played with fire to close out a crisp and wonderful overall performance. The sound is bright and clear, though it slightly lacks depth. Nonetheless, this recording would be strongly recommended even if the price were much higher. To make the disc even more attractive is the inclusion of the first five of Dvorak's legends, short pieces with melodies reminiscent (especially the third Legend) of his famous Slavonic Dances. These are beautiful performances and are not matched by any other conductor, not even Kubelik. The solo horn performer simply produces magical sounds here. Again the sound is bright and clear, and this disc is an overall top recommendation for these works."

Maybe the Best Dvorak First Around

dvorakfan | 05/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dvorak's First Symphony gives evidence that early in his career (1865) the composer might have become a Czech Bruckner, before he threw in with the Brahms-Hanslick camp. While the first and last movements are more headlong than Bruckner almost ever is in his symphonies (except in the scherzi), the symphonic argument seems similar, with long-breathed melodies and monumental architecture that recalls the approach of Bruckner's symphonic antecedent, Schubert. But then there are evidences that Dvorak was hammering out his own distinctive idiom: the treatment of the wind choirs at the opening of the slow movement is pure Dvorak, a pre-echo of the slow movements of the later symphonies such as the Seventh. Altogether, though Dvorak has a tendency to go on (and on) in his First Symphony, it's an auspicious start to a grand career.The Legends, written fifteen years later, are vintage Dvorak, though some of them breathe the thin air of the salon, as far as I'm concerned. But this disc contains the best of the lot, No. 3, No. 5, and best of all, No. 4, a majestic march elevated by some noble sentiments from the brass and timpani, which don't get much play in the rest of the Legends.Despite my fondness for Istvan Kertesz's way with the early symphonies, this performance by Gunzenhauser and the Slovak Philharmonic clearly supersedes that near-classic rendition. The current performance is wonderfully athletic and, where it needs be, touching (as in the lovely chamber-music-like sections for the strings in the scherzo or those compelling woodwind passages at the start of the slow movement). And Naxos provides some of its most natural and wide-ranging orchestral sound, rivaling its generally fine work in England and Scotland. Highly recommended."

Gunzenhauser does great Dvorak.

Emil A. Franzi | Tucson, AZ, USA | 12/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"American conductor Stephan Gunzenhauser, like Rico Saccani, is one of the more under-rated of today's recording artists. His Dvorak cycle is superb and brings out inner voices never before heard by this listener and is competetive with Kertesz and Kubelik. The Slovak PO and the radio band fron Bratislava perform well and have the advantage of more rehearsal time which allows conductors to more heavily imprint their own interpretations. With the first and second symphonies you also get the hard to find Legends complete. Naxos not only offers good value but a superb performance. ALso try Gunzenhauser's Taniev 4th if you can find it - it was once on Marco Polo. Only complaint I have with Naxos is I've never seen a complete catalog that stayed put.



Emil Franzi, Tucson"