Antonin Dvorak Stephen Gunzenhauser Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvork Symphonies Nos 3 6 (7 tracks) +Album Reviews

More underrated masterpieces

dvorakfan | USA | 12/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dvorak's Third is rather unconventional in that it contains only three movements rather than the usual four. However, it is still an early masterpiece and is perhaps the most frequently played of Dvorak's early symphonies. One can notice influences from Wagner in this work, and once again Dvorak provides us with great listening with his never-ending outpouring of melody. Gunzenhauser once again gives us a fabulous performance. The first movement brings outstanding playing from the woodwinds and the balance between each section of the orchestra is perfect. Indeed, from the opening notes of the symphony, one can tell that this is going to be a performance to remember. The second movement is solemn but has an uplifting middle section. However, the climax seems to be slightly reserved. The final movement is heroic and the Slovak Philharmonic plays with a lot of flair and excitement to bring this work to a close. Dvorak's Sixth is undoubtedly a masterpiece, and it's a shame that it's rarely ever heard in the concert hall nowadays. Every movement of this work radiates with highly memorable and joyful tunes, and the Slovak Philharmonic once again brings everything it can to this masterpiece. The first movement is exciting and the second is quite peaceful and relaxed. Once again, the woodwinds are exquisite. The third movement is one of Dvorak's finest Furiants, and Gunzenhauser brings a lot of Slavic flair in performing it, though one could argue that had it been taken at a slightly faster tempo, it would have been perfect. Still, this is an exciting performance, and the woodwinds in the Trio section are an absolute joy to listen to. The fourth movement is played with much joy, and one can sense that the performers really enjoyed playing this work. The sound throughout is outstanding (hard to believe when NAXOS is involved), with a natural concert hall ambience. Overall, this disc is fantastic and is once again a top recommendation for these two neglected masterpieces, even if the price may lead you to think otherwise."

Good work, ok performance, poor sonics

Dennis Brandt | Red Lion, PA United States | 08/27/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've never heard the Dvorak 3rd until this recording and have to wonder why. While it doesn't rank in stature with Dvorak's last three symphonies, it is a listenable work from the pen of a musical genius. The last movement is fun - more fun, I suspect, than Stephen Guzenhauser's rather restrained performance elicits. I fail to understand two other reviewers here who claim great sonics for this recording. Some of Naxos's output is sonically acceptable - even good - but not this one. Microphones are distant - that's good - but they sound misplaced, creating a muddy texture that is shrill at the same time. If this is an accurate rendering of an acoustically miserable concert hall, I apologize, but I doubt that is the case. Keep the volume down or play it in your car. Still, the price is right, and you can enjoy two overlooked Dvorak symphonies played pretty darn well. The sonics aren't Telarc or Delos, but neither is the price."

Two unknown masterworks, two master performances.....

Timothy Mikolay | Pittsburgh, PA | 02/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe Dvorak's third symphony was pivotal in his conception of this genre. Upon comparing it to his first and second, one can hear differences in virtuosity and melodic scope but one also hears a first rate account given by this Slovak orchestra. The three movements radiate with texture, complex voicing and rustic fervor. A terrific offering!The sixth is amazing. Very rarely heard anymore in any concert hall, this symphony is one of Dvorak's finest ever, only comparable to his seventh. The performance here is just as amazing. The woodwinds' work in this Dvorak cycle are unsurpassed as well as Gunzenhauser's ability to balance the orchestral voices. Although he seems to have kept the third movement somewhat reserved, there isn't a single intimate moment lost throughout. The spirit of the score is conveyed quite heartily which makes for enjoyable listening. Great CD!"

More Than Acceptable

Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 06/24/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Antonin Dvorak, Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op. 10; Symphony No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60. Performed by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Stephen Gunzenhauser. Recorded at the Concert Hall of the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava, Slovakia, in May 1990. Released in 1991 as Naxos 8.550268. Total playing time: 78'00".

This is an excellent disc of some exquisite music at an unbelievably low price. As another reviewer has already said what needs to be said about the music and the performance, I don't really need to add anything except that I agree with all that has been said in praise of this disc. Where the other reviewers have a difference of opinion is about the sonics, and I should like to suggest that this is a matter of the equipment used to play the disc and of the expectations the listener brings to the music. This is one of the better Naxos recordings I have heard with a natural acoustic and very little indeed of the "cavernous" sound from some of their earlier discs. It is true that you will find a more sensational, close-up recorded sound on discs from some of the majors (Deutsche Grammophon, RCA Living Stereo, Sony Vivarte), and sound at this level is not to be expected from a 1990 Naxos CD. But I felt that the sound was, nonetheless, more than acceptable, certainly not "muddy" as one reviewer has complained. It is like sitting several rows back in a concert - you are not quite in the front row, but from your seat you still have a good panorama and can hear every instrument clearly. That is the Naxos ideal, and I felt it had been achieved here rather well. The disc was given three stars in the Penguin Good CD Guide, too, which is usually reason enough to believe it is good!

[Pontificating on the "sound" of a recording is always risky because of the differences between various kinds of hifi. Therefore here is a description of my listening equipment: NAD C 542 CD player; digital signal passed by coaxial cable Oehlbach XXL to a Benchmark DAC 1 digital/analogue converter, from whence the music signal goes by cinch (NF) cable Kimber PBJ or Van den Hul The Name directly to the "Main In" connections of my NAD C 350 amplifier and from there via Kimber loudspeaker cable to my Dynaudio Contour 1.1 compact speakers. Alternatively, I listen on AKG 701 headphones attached either directly to the Benchmark DAC 1 or to a Lehmann Audio Black Cube Linear headphone amp.]"

Search - Antonin Dvorak, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra :: Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6

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