Serenade For String Orchestra In C Major, Op. 48: Pezzo in forma di Sonatina. Andante non troppo - Allegro moderato
Serenade For String Orchestra In C Major, Op. 48: Valse. Moderato. Tempo di Valse
Serenade For String Orchestra In C Major, Op. 48: Elegia. Larghetto elegiaco
Serenade For String Orchestra In C Major, Op. 48: Finale. Tema russo. Andante - Allegro con spirtito
Serenade For String Orchestra In E Major, Op. 22: Moderato
Serenade For String Orchestra In E Major, Op. 22: Menuetto. Allegro con moto - Trio
Serenade For String Orchestra In E Major, Op. 22: Scherzo. Vivace
Serenade For String Orchestra In E Major, Op. 22: Larghetto
Serenade For String Orchestra In E Major, Op. 22: Finale - Allegro vivace
There is little innocence in Herbert von Karajan's account of the piece, which emphasizes suavity and smoothness and can occasionally sound contrived rather than spontaneous. But there's lots of passion in the Larghetto,... more » and the sheer beauty of the Berliners' playing is ravishing. The recording, an early digital effort from DG released in 1981, offers good ambience and detail but is rather light in tonal weight. --Ted Libbey« less
There is little innocence in Herbert von Karajan's account of the piece, which emphasizes suavity and smoothness and can occasionally sound contrived rather than spontaneous. But there's lots of passion in the Larghetto, and the sheer beauty of the Berliners' playing is ravishing. The recording, an early digital effort from DG released in 1981, offers good ambience and detail but is rather light in tonal weight. --Ted Libbey
Daniel R. Adams | Seattle, WA United States | 12/02/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This disc reveals the luscious string serenades of Tchaikovsky and Dvorak in their most ravishing form. Karajan directs with authority and majesty here; the Tchaikovsky is bold, ebullient, while the Dvorak sensitive and delicate. I've heard no other recording that matches both the technical virtuosity and emotional range in these two works.In I and IV of Tch, the strings bathe you with a powerful heavenly force that can be quite exhilirating, in II there is a playfulness, and in III an almost hypnotic reserve. The Dvorak from start to finish exhibits the utmost in polished continuity. Karajan has a feel for the Slavic themes and transports one to the fields of Bohemia so effortlessly.It is true that there are extremely minor slips of the strings in these performances, but such flaws cannot possibly detract. I imagine being a fly on the wall in the hall while magic was being woven...moved by an entire ensemble committed to distilling the esssence of the music; a mistake or two only shows that the performers are people, not machines. The performances are so warm, human, and brilliant that I would never consider purchasing another recording of either work. I've heard a number of other interpretations (Marriner, Naxos, MacKerras etc.) but only this one catches the true fire of these pinnacles from the two masters' catalogues."
Two excellent Slavic Serenades
koream | Potomac, MD USA | 02/10/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Von Karajan gives these two works a straightforward reading. The Berliners play crisply, and DG's recording is excellent as usual.Repeated listenings do not reveal any major glitches in the orchestra's performance. To what one listener may be an appropriate use of dynamics is to another listener a mistake I suppose."
Karajan weaves magic in these string serenades!
Benjamin Bolival | The Peninsula of the Bay Area | 03/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is GREAT! If your a fan of Von Karajan, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak, get a copy before copies run out. The two serenades are very beautiful and I always enjoy listening to this CD from start to end. The sound is solid and the Berlin Philharmoniker gives out a strong orchestral performance. A cheaper alternative is the Titov-conducted Chamber Orchestra of the St. Petersburg Conservatory (infinity Digital, Sony Music Entertainment) performance of both serenades. The Titov version makes individual string instruments sing out whereas Karajan gives you a muscular orchestral version. Both are equally splendid and choosing which version to purchase really depends on your personal musical preferences."
Sublime
Jorge Bennett Limnio, composer. | 09/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD contains the best Dvorak Serenade for Strings recording I've ever heard, and there are many good ones. The Larghetto is specially touching, surpassing anything I've ever heard before in it's lyrical bittersweet character which Karajan grasped with perfection.
Both serenades are lovely compositions by composers who knew the strings intimately (Dvorak was a violin/viola player, Tchaikovsky knew the strings through his composition training and experiences with orchestras); I can't imagine anybody not able to appreciate the sheer appeal of these works. The Dvorak serenade is in my opinion one of the most beautiful pieces you will ever hear in the classical repertoire.
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
