Search - Dvorak, Ormandy, Lso :: Symphony 9 / Serenade for Strings

Fantastic, vivid, powerful, tremendously enjoyable.

schlosser@hotmail.com | Boston Massachusetts | 12/24/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this CD, partly on recommendation from a friend, in hopes of finding a melody or two that I'd heard before. I did find one of those melodies, truly soothing, in the second movement of "Serenade for Strings", but that was only the beginning of my enjoyment. On first listening of Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", my friend questioned me as the piece seemed to pass in one ear and out the other. But the subsequent several listenings drove my appreciation skyward, making me marvel at the energy, imagery, and feeling. I also found that the second movement of "Serenade for Strings" (that I'd been so happy to find) was even more enjoyable after the stage was set by the first (and equally wonderfully enjoyable) movement. Alltogether, this CD has two fantastic pieces for any audience, has wonderful clean clear sound quality, and a price that should prevent nobody from owning it."

Power , Passion and Beauty

J. Moffatt | Chesapeake VA | 04/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just received this CD last night and I'm very pleased. Ormandy never disappoints. The percussion and brass are crisp and powerful. The strings which Ormandy seems to always bring the best out in an orchestra shines with London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). Dvorak's From The New World Symphony (9th) will remind you of Beethoven's great 9th Symphony with the timpani and music structure in certain sections. The work itself, constantly changes moods and pace. Invigorating would be the perfect word to describe this outstanding opus. The players of the LSO(especially the french horn,trombone and timpani) are inspired. The production is well ballanced and even. For example, when the brass section is playing at its highest volume during climaxes you can hear all the other instruments clearly.
The second work, Serenade For Strings is breathtaking. Similar to Tchaikovsky's Serenade For Strings, Dvorak paints a landscape of strings with the earth shaking Double bass to the soaring army of violins. It really shows the strings in an orchestra have limitless tones, sounds and texture. This work is also sound engineered very well. In conclusion, if you enjoy powerful classical music and enjoy listening to as well as feeling the music, put this CD in your stereo turn up the volume sit back and brace yourself a rewarding fascinating ride!"

The Best

Roger W. Wood | Jacksonville, Florida | 07/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to the the "New World" for over 50 years and, of course, can remember even the numbering change from #5 to #9. In all that time, I have heard some great performances live and via lp/cd. There are a lot of them. But this is the best of them.



Ormandy does not miss a beat with the superb musicians of the London Symphony. His direction is precise and provides a clinic on tempo changes. The orchestra gets it, and the playing is phenomenal. All together, the conductor and the orchestra are in top form, and the result is the best recorded "New World" Symphony # 9 that I have ever encountered anywhere anytime.



Ormandy did a lot of everything in Philadelphia. He did so much stuff that one wonders how he did it all. He was not the greatest at everything -- though professional in everything, but he was truly great at some things (R. Strauss, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, etc.)leaving us great memories, and more than adequate on all the others. Few conducted as much, or as varied an amount of, stuff as he did. He also has my complete admiration also for the eloquent orchestra he put together for so many years. He left his imprint in Philadelphia and in the USA. And this performance with the LSO caps a great legacy he has left behind in the variety of things he did.



How many times in his lifetime did Ormandy do the New World? In this performance he makes me jealous that I did not hear all the others, because to me this is the best there is. Bar none. Get it and thrill over it. Szell's is close behind though behind, and Giulini's (3) is in there too. Everybody who is anybody has recorded the New World, but this is the one to get if you only have one. Or 50. Get it."