Antonin Dvorak Stephen Gunzenhauser CzechoSlovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - Dvork Symphony No 2 Legends Nos 610 (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

More outstanding performances of underrated works

dvorakfan | USA | 12/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dvorak's second symphony is better than his first in terms of overall structure, and again the melodies are very memorable in this highly neglected early work. Gunzenhauser already gave us a splendid performance of Dvorak's First, and he does it again here. The first movement is energetic and the woodwinds once again demonstrate their excellence, showing why this work deserves more attention than it gets. The second movement is dark and lonely and Gunzenhauser elicits wonderfully evocative playing from his orchestra, particularly the woodwinds again. The third movement is graceful and Gunzenhauser keeps the music flowing along most naturally, and the strings are absolutely gorgeous. The finale is not one of Dvorak's best, though there are some nice musical ideas. Once again, the orchestra turns in a fine performance of this movement, and like the First, the performers play with a lot of energy in the final moments to bring a satisfying close to the work. Also like the previous performance of the First, the couplings are some of Dvorak's attractive Legends. Here his last five Legends are given, once again with beautiful playing from the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. The sound throughout is excellent and makes you feel as though you're right in the concert hall. Indeed, this disc is a top recommendation, irrespective of its super bargain price."

Well Played; Excellent Melodies

E. Clinton | Chicago, IL USA | 04/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Dvorak Second Symphony is rarely performed, but it is an interesting work. It is upbeat and filled with memorable melodies. It works as background music or as music to relax too. At this price, you can't go wrong."

Wonderfully slavic performances!

Timothy Mikolay | Pittsburgh, PA | 02/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am simply amazed at how consistently well the Slovak Philharmonic performs. The performance of the second symphony is quite evident of this. With a solid woodwind section and a superbly balanced brass section, the string compliment executes this youthful score with ease and with taste. Dvorak's second attempt at a symphony is more intelligent than his first, but with Gunzenhauser, this performance is just as energetic and insightful as his offering of the first.The Op.59 Legends, 6-10 on this disc, are wonderfully played. I don't know who plays the horn in the ensemble, but listen for the solos. They're exquisite.Another excellent disc!"

Enthralling

Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 06/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Antonin Dvorak(1841 - 1904): Symphony No. 2 in B Major, Op. 4. Performed by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, dir. by Stephen Gunzenhauser. Recorded in May 1990 at the Reduta Concert Hall in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Legends Op. 59,1-5. Performed by the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, dir. Stephen Gunzenhauser. Recorded in May 1991 at the Concert Hall of Slovakian Radio in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Released in 1991 as Naxos 8.550267. Total playing time: 73'06".

Just a few weeks ago all I knew of Dvorak's music was his "New World" symphony (No. 9) and his "Slavonic Dances". Stephen Gunzenhauser's interpretation of Symphony No. 9 was good enough, combined with the Penguin Good CD Guide 3-star award for several other volumes in his Dvorak series, for me to start buying and listening to the whole set. And up to now I have certainly not been disappointed. Following on from a fascinating Symphony No. 1 by the 24-year-old Czech composer is his magnificent Symphony No. 2, written in the same year and only performed once, as far as we know, during Dvorak's lifetime. In his notes, the ubiquitous Keith Anderson makes certain comparisons with Beethoven, Wagner and Chopin, but what immediately struck me was how much this sounds like ... Dvorak! Superb combinations of strings and winds and some ear-catching melodies makes this symphony a real winner despite its length (around 53 minutes - some would no doubt speak of "longueurs"), with, to my mind, the second half of the spacious second movement (poco adagio) and the whole of the fourth movement (allegro con fuoco) being enthralling listening. I have no means of comparing this recording with any other of the same repertoire, but I heard nothing in any way untoward here - and that is true not only of the Slovak orchestra with its excellent brass section but also of the engineering, which, while not perhaps perfect, is at the upper end of the Naxos spectrum and offers a clear and accurate picture of what is happening in the orchestra, the listener being seated just a little further back down the hall than in similar recordings by the majors. If, like me, you are beginning to explore Dvorak, don't hesitate to go for this CD, it is well worth its paltry price."

Search - Antonin Dvorak, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Dvorák: Symphony No. 2; Legends Nos. 6-10

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