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Epicurus.com - Dvorak: Symphony No9; Carnival Overture Op92
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List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $10.99
Your Save: $ 0.99 ( 8% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sony
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0074646056325
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: 1998-09-29
Studio: Sony
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Editorial Reviews:
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This, the first of Leonard Bernstein's two recordings of this symphony, is vastly superior to his remake on DG. It's a vital, impulsive performance, with a daringly fast tempo in the Scherzo, and a very satisfying culmination in the closing pages. It's simply another reminder of what a reliable, and above all musical, conductor Bernstein was. This mid-price series, called "Bernstein Century," is a real collectors' edition. Great stuff. --David Hurwitz
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Comment: This performance of the classic "New World" symphony, in my opinion, is the best available. First of all, the remastering is outstanding, the performance is absolutely complete (following all the composer's 'repeat' indications in the score (something rarely heard or adhered to). The only thing I find to be somewhat disappointing (although really not a complaint) is Bernstein's breakneck tempi; this is a pet-peeve of mine applicable to almost every present-day or recent conductor. Slow it down man! This recording is so far the only one I'd recommend to new listeners. BRAVO
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best one Edition of Dvorak Symphony No.9
Comment: This record is so particularly than any other records of Dvorak Symphony No.9, especially its cello and double bass part. WOW! It's so clear and powerful.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Not as much as I expected, but fairly descent enough.
Comment: Bernstein has been one of my favorite conductor of all times, but as for many famed conductors, some performances, genre to genre, composer to composer, are quite outstanding, and others not so impressive. In the CBS/Sony Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, and much of Copland's pieces and his own are among his highlights. I was quite disgusted, on the other hand by the poor somewhat empty performance (and some really 50's cinematic sound quality... quite shoddy), such as Respighi's Pines of Rome.
As for this album, I would categorize this performance of Dvorak's "New World Symphony" somewhere in between. There are some parts quite off the edge; many of Bernstein's recordings have somewhat unique interpretations, but I personally don't like some exposed in this piece. In the fourth movement especially, the instant change of tempo from fast to slow, and visa versa was a bit distracting. Other than than it's okay.
My ups, on the other hand, would be the ever-nailbiting first movement, the high tempo really prompts us for a eleven minute trek through the ocean... that was what I was imagining. The scherzo was quite fast too.
As for the "Going Home" theme, it is well-played, even though I still prefer Solti's and Karajan's which seems to touch me more, and Lenny's bit-slug-paced DG recording with the Isreal Phil, 18 minutes of a musical meditation.
Thumbs way up for the Carnival Overture! Packs quite a punch... my favorite performance of the piece, along with Zubie's (Zubin Mehta) collaboration with the same orchestra.
The selected Slovanic Dances are good, but Szell's complete set would be the one to look for.
Some ups and few downs, but that's only my taste. Listen to find out what you think.
Customer Rating:
Summary: For Bernstein Fans
Comment: This is a very good recording of Dvorak 9. It is not the best that I have heard (I can recall a late Karajan and especially the late 50s Szell/Cleavland SO) but Berntsein, the quintessential American conductor, very aptly caputres the spirit of this, a quintessential American symphony. I simply don't feel that Bernstein dedicated his whole self into making this the perfect recording. I can say this honestly because I've heard him come as close to perfection as is possible in several other recordings however I simply do not feel that energy here.This is a very good recording, top 10 percentile, but it is neither the best example of Dvorak's work nor the best example of Bernstein's work.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A CD full of ups and downs
Comment: Dvorak's 9th is easily one of the most famous pieces of classical music, and certainly I share in the love that many have for this piece. I know it very well, and thus it's been hard to find a recording that truly agrees with me.
I hate to give such a difference of opinion here, but I really do not have the same opinion as most people seem to with this recording of Dvorak's 9th. The reason for this is mainly the second movement; for whatever reason, many conductors take this piece at a tempo that to my ears just seems very slow and pondering. Yes, it is an adagio, but it is also a very song-like melody that needs to flow, and Bernstein here simply does not put forth the forward movement that to me is needed here. In the 4th movement, also, he seems to slow and speed a bit too eclecticly that grates on me, though the music is marvelously played with wonderful brass.
On the flip side, there are the first and third movements. Simply put, this is the finest rendition of the first movement I've ever heard. It contains all the enegery needed, and what is possibly my favorite musical moment ever -- the spot where there is a low flute solo at the end of the exposition -- is so beautiful I want to melt. So to the third movement is great, though perhaps a bit TOO fast (better too fast than too slow in this case, though), and if it weren't for the second movement's problems I'd say that these two movements make this a must buy.
As for the rest of the CD, it too has ups and downs. On the up is the Carnival Overture, given a fine performance full of excitement and vigor. On the down, however, are the Slavonic Dances, which lack excitement and vigor, and like other parts of the CD are just too slow. Of course, I also think that the dances need to be heard in at least the set of 8 if not all 16.
So I really can't recommend this CD, though I see that many people seem to enjoy it. My advice is that if you are like me and like the 2nd movement of the New World on the faster side, then stay far away.
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