Search - Antonin Dvorak, Andrew Davis, Michael Tilson Thomas :: Dvorak: Symphony No. 6/American Suite

Sony...Why?

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 08/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"David Hurwitz's fine editorial review more than adequately discusses the contents of this disc, so I will not add anything else other than I found it enjoyable as well. However, at this time I feel it is appropriate to ask the following question. Why is Sony deleting their "Essential Classics" budget line? If you haven't already noticed, many of these absolutely classic performances, by the likes of Szell, Ormandy, Fleisher, etc. are disappearing. Once widely available, inexpensive recordings are now fetching astronomical prices, sometimes more than five times their original value, in the Amazon Marketplace as rare collector's items. Is this just some grand scheme to reissue all of this material later at mid-line, or are these gems unfortunate victims of the corporate spread sheet, never to be heard from again? Even if it is only the former, shame on you Sony! You should remember that the next generation of classical music fans generally use the budget line as an entry point for this vast genre, in fact it was my road to discovery for this beautiful music. In your haste, don't forget that all of your next potential customers aren't music downloading teeny-boppers!"

Davis is a dud, but hold out for the delightful "American" S

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 03/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"How Sir Andrew Davis ever got knighted for his lackluster conducting is anyone's guess (did he tell the Queen jokes over tea?), and it's no surprise that this Dvorak sixth is proficient and faceless. It has neither Czech folk energy nor sophisticated polsih. We hear a professional orchestra going through its paces. The first and last movements lack sweep, the slow movemeent drags, the Scherzo is a run-through, albeit at high speed. I've heard duller versions (from Dohnanyi, for example) but also rousing ones from Istvan Kertesz, Vaclav Neumann, and Myun-Whun Chung.



Skipping over Davis's brisk and perfunctory version of the Scherzo Capriccioso, we get to the rarity on the program, the "American" Suite performed by Tilson Thomas and the Bavarian State Radio Orch. The music itwself is immediately winning, full of Dvorak's characteristic melodic inspiration. MTT conducts it affectionately, and the orchestral sound is full and warm. Ideally the style should be earthier, but MTT is always a white-glove conductor except in jazzy works. He summons up plenty of energy, and the final result is quite enjoyable.



So, a mixed bag, but the Davis portions are good enough, while Tilson Thomas delivers an unexpected delight. Four stars for his contribution."