Not too long ago I picked up an cheap RCA box of Dvorak's symphonies from the Philharmonia under Andrew Davis. I'm pretty well served with recordings from no.6 onwards but have nothing at all before that, so I thought it would be a nice introduction.

However, for the most part I've found the set unbearably dull, the orchestra play well enough, but it sounds like Davis was asleep. Some of the readings are downright bizarre (one of the early symphonies, I forget which, suddenly became lively with just five minutes to go, perhaps they were all excited at the prospect of being done for the day and getting to the pub). His readings are slightly better for the late symphonies (i.e. they aren't bad, but not a patch on the likes of Mackerras and for the most part are still pretty boring).

All of which is a roundabout way of asking if anyone has any recommendations for symphonies 1-5. Sadly Mackerras hasn't recorded those.... I also quite enjoy Colin Davis's reading of the late symphonies and while it wasn't to everyone's taste, I rather liked Thomas Dausgaard's recent disc of 6&9, and say what you will, at least it wasn't dull.


regards, Tam

Dear Tam

I used to have the Decca recordings of Istvan Kertesz, with the LSO, and these were definitely not dull!

I eventually found it was not quite my cup of tea as music even in such wonderful and animated readings, but I can recommend them whole-heartedly if you love the music. The set with the BPO on DG from Rafal Kubelic are smoother and less exciting - possibly they were more poetic, and certainly warmer hearted. I had these as well. I gave both sets to the same good friend, who was horrified I was parting with them.

That was more than ten years ago, so my move away from some of the Romantics has been going on for a long time!

George

The Third and Fourth symphonies are both good enough to warrant repeated listens, but I confess that the first two don't do much for me. For me the great or near-great works start with the Fifth, where Kubelik delivers the best version I've heard.

For the most part complete cycles are the only way to hear the early works. Among the three sets I've heard, Rafael Kubelik is definitely the way to go. Also worth considering is the silly cheap Otmar Suitner set on Berlin Classics. Plenty of energy and drive and good sound. I never cared for the Kertesz set (so I sold it), but his approach is energetic.

--

Dear Todd,

I agree that Kubelic's readings were the more satisfying for me, compared to Kertesz, but as for actual playing, I prefer the LSO, as being more articulate and lucid in the balances of musical lines.

But of the Symphomies I still have - Six to Nine - I have one one recording apiece - from Vaclav Talich and the Czech Philharmonic, where the playing is fully up to the standards of the LSO and though the recordings date from 1936 to 1950, the whole issue of balances is well addressed.

The added benefit of these venerable recordings though, is the splendid musical style in the readings of Vaclav Talich, who time after time shows how to hold these works together whilst allowing the poetry to shine through. There is a strength to them as well as poetry.

The issues are Six, Seven, and Eight on two Koch CDs, from HMV recordings in London on tours of the orchestra, and the New World on a Suprafon CD, recorded in Prague in 1950 from completely silenyt surface 78s. Sadly the Koch transfers are not quite from the top draw.

George

Kubelik is very good indeed (his 9th with the BPO was one of the first LPs I ever bought) but for me, the Kertesz set is the one which gets played. I haven't heard Talich but he has a wonderful reputation.

I enjoy Mariss Janson"s 5th on an EMI budget release, and the 6th by Ancerl on the Supraphone Gold Ancerl series, also budget. Chung's 6th & 8th on DG with VPO is also a favorite. I also recommend Harnoncourt's 7-9 on Teldec with the RCO for modern versions

My favourite is still the Seventh! Talich and the Czech Phil literally make this serious symphony sizzle with tension, almost like Toscanini in Brahms, but match this trenchancy with the peotic insight only truly great musicians can muster. I cannot over-emphasis how wonderful this old recording is. If you see it, don't hesitate. It is also a truly authentic style of playing, some at least in the orchestra having played under the composer years before! It carries immense [Ancerl manages something similar] conviction!!

George

For the early symphonies, try Neeme Jarvi on the Chandos label -- especially #5.