Search - Antonin Dvorak, Rafael Kubelik, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Dvorak: Symphonies 7 & 9 / Kubelik, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Not as good as the hype, interesting historical document

sphaerenklang | UK | 12/07/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For anyone looking for their first recording of Dvorak's 7th (which is what I bought this for) it is probably best to go to the DG 2-for-1 set of the last 3 symphonies, which has a later recording with better sound and in all probability a better orchestra (1960 Berlin Phil). This disc does have some special qualities, but compared to the "standard" Kubelik recording it is more of a historical record. Decca make a bit of a song and dance about the sound - notes on the type of microphones, 24-bit transfer etc., but none of that can improve the lack of body and warmth that the VPO appeared to have that day, or the bad balancing of certain sections of the orchestra. Strangely, John Culshaw, the recording engineer, in a passage from his memoirs quoted in the booklet, acknowledges that the orchestral sound was not up to what he expected - "diffuse" and "swimming" were the words he used. I might add, fuzzy and blustery in the loud sections. The booklet-writer then frantically tries to make excuses for this poor opinion of Decca's own engineer, for example the orchestra were not playing in their usual hall, the Musikvereinsaal, with its superb acoustic, or the lack of an audience, even quoting a newspaper reviewer who went to a live concert of the same players, to try to contradict Culshaw. Unfortunately we don't have a recording of this live concert (which may have been wonderful...), only this recording, made with experimental stereo in an unfamiliar hall, so this cuts no ice.With its narrow-bore horns and slightly tinny trumpets, sharp (in tone quality, not tuning!) reedy oboe sound and light, silvery strings, the VPO were not going to make a big, powerful, dark sound whatever the circumstances, but the distant recording and under-balancing of the woodwinds (you can scarcely hear the cor anglais solo in the 9th!) have made the ambiance even chillier, almost to the point of thinness. This is actually not so bad in the 7th, Dvorak's most dramatic and "craggy" symphony, but after a while you feel that you are missing some of the richness and warmth of the music and only hearing the "tough" aspects, a sort of postwar austerity Dvorak, compared to later versions.The interpretation, despite this, is rather exciting in many places, and moves along in a way that avoids heaviness and sentimentalising. Indeed the orchestra cannot quite keep together at times - "edge of their seats" is another way of putting it - and there is some unsteadiness of tempo. There are some genuinely lyrical moments, when the strings (in particular) get a chance to sing out and put their unique qualities to use, but one has to turn up the volume to get the full benefit of such passages.The early date of this recording is no reason for the lack of presence in the sound, with a year of this (1956-7) EMI was making some sensational stereo recordings (with Klemperer... though not of Dvorak!). To sum up, although there is a sense of gritty, hard-bitten drama, and a special atmosphere of post-war Vienna about this recording, it is probably not the best all-round choice for these works, and not of the "legendary" quality that Decca's publicity might suggest."

Elite performances

Sungu Okan | Istanbul, Istanbul Turkey | 10/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rafael Kubelik, who one of the greatest performer of Dvorak, and his Wiener Philharmoniker played these two masterful symphony with emotion, with great sensitiveness. The great musiquality of them is very impressive. The choices of tempi are very good and there are very disciplined, good balance of orchestra. The sound quality is excellent, in fact these records dates from 1956, but very succesful remastered. In other words: this CD is a must-have.



Dvorak's 7th Symphony is the most majestic, sombre and serious of all his 9 symphonies. The tonality is D minor, which the most titanic minor tonality, I think. Because it was written at composers' depressive period. Orchestration, as usual, is masterful. The tempestous 1st movement, Allegro maestoso has a Beethovenian symphonic quality, with somewhere beautiful melodies, somewhere furious passages. The 2nd movement, Poco adagio has a contemplative mood, peaceful atmosphere, which has a contrast to the angry mood of 1st mvt.. The Scherzo has a typic Slavonic character, like a Furiant dance (one of famous dance of Slav people). And the Finale is a very serious and energic conclusion. At the very end of this giant symphony, there is a powerful and heavenly D-Major conclusion, in Bach style (who usually finishes his minor works with major tonality).



The 9th "From the New World" Symphony is played marvellous, again. The 1st movement Allegro molto is typic Dvorakian flavour, with his sharp rhytms, but there are a Indian melodies, as you know. For example, one theme is reminds famous "Swing low, swing chariot" melody. The 2nd movement is the most famous mvt. has a beautiful, tearful meldoy, which played by English Horn. This mvt. tells a story about an Indian bury ceremony. The Scherzo, in fact has a certainly Slavonic blood. Of course, it is the most brilliant mvt. of the symphony. The Finale (wihch at the very beginning of mvt. there is a passage of strings and this prelude motif was used, even so stolen by John Williams for his soundtrack of "Jaws"! When you hear this mvt., you will see that!) is a serious and angry conclusion. There is a genius passage, at the very end of the symphony, the all main themes of the all movements are heard together, in fact they has a diferrent each other, but heard together splendid and has a wonderful harmonic surprise.



The perfromances of both symphony is excellent. The sound quality is very good. So, at this price, you can't go wrong with it.



Highly recommended!"

Inspired Kubelik

Tommy Nielsen | Kolding Denmark | 01/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 7th Symphony shows Kubelik at his most inspired. Its rythmic vitality is irresistible and the strings of the Vienna Philharmonic sound as if they are sitting on the edge of their chairs to keep up with their young conductor. This is the best recording of the 7th available - it is preferable even to Kubelik's much acclaimed re-make with the Berlin Philharmonic.The 9th is also wonderful. Without doubt better than any recent versions (Harnoncourt, Chailly etc.) - the crucial 2nd movement is executed with an eloquence rarely heard. This recording is at the level of Fricsay (DG) and Kubelik's own re-make. The best recording on the market though is Karel Ancerl's 1962 essay with the Czech Philharmonic on Supraphon. Because that band just has the music in its blood - a special timbre that distinguished them from all other orchestras in the world (and still does by the way - otherwise all orchestras sound the same nowadays). That particular CD makes you want to hear the music over and over and over again. But Kubelik is surely worth listening to for the Vienna Philharmonic.The Best recordings of the major Dvorak symphonies are: 6th: Ancerl, Czech PO, Supraphon. 7th: Kubelik, Vienna PO, Decca. 8th: Monteux, LSO, Philips. 9th: Ancerl, Czech PO, Supraphon."