Repertoire: The BEST Dvořák Symphony No. 8
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 พ.ค. 2024
- Among the most beloved and frequently performed of all of the Dvořák symphonies, the Eighth has a long and successful history of recorded performances. You don't have to look far to find the great ones.
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One of my handful of favourite symphonies, and it doesn't pretend to be "GREAT!". Really the brightest star in a fabulous galaxy of symphonic joy and pleasure. I believe that Dvorak's happy soul shines through here & so good to know that there is a serious sh*tload of great performances. To misquote, Anyone who is Tired of Dvorak is Tired of Life. I will never be that person 🙂
Thanks so much for your wonderful insightful videos about mainstream and lesser known repertoire, you're a great ambassador for the highest art form!!
My pleasure!
We are playing this work in our community orchestra now!
I'm a big fan of the Karajan/V.P.O. version as well.
There is also this old Beecham live recording with the RPO. The sound may not be very good, but the playing is so much alive and full of excitement! Oldie but goldie 😉
A late friend was at the Beecham concert, he said it was the single most exciting concert he ever went to. And he was in his radio days a BBC music producer, so went to a lot of concerts.
Imagine the sound of the real thing, it must have been overwhelming...
Thank you David. Because of this video I listened to the Dvorak 8th symphony for the first time, and I fell in love. I now have 2 of your recommended recordings: Kubelik and Dohnanyi, the latter being my favourite. Such clarity and life force.
Here is a perhaps oddball recording I recently found in a used clothing store for $2.00 (Australian)
Kurt Massur with the New York Philharmonic live from Avery Fisher Hall 1993. Nice clear sonics. No audience noise. A pleasant surprise.
Bruno Walter's Mono NYPO from his Complete Album collection is a true smoking hot performance. You'd never guess it's Bruno Walter
Probably better than his Columbia Symphony account (his 9th is ideal)
Very cleaver analysis. Thx.
I really thought the Eighth was the highlight of Neumann's set.
I'm going to check out that Karajan disc! Thanks!
Also, I can't remember why now, but I didn't much care for the Suitner set.
Munch was my first ever recording of the 8th and I still love it. Please review the 3rd. It is also a masterpiece. Suitner was by the way an Austrian who worked in East Berlin. Neutral country. Because of his awfull haircut the orchestra members called him“Noten Adolf.“ He was though a very kind man. Greetings from Berlin
Yes I love the 3rd symphony. Very moving Adagio.
Absolutely agree. Honeck and Pittsburgh have created a very very special Dvorzak 8th, definitely a must for Dvorzak lovers.
Dear Mr. Hurwitz: You are absolutely right concerning Honeck/Pittsburgh: I have just finished it in my Apple Music account and it's terrific! Among many details the horns in the Finale (and the trumpets "descending" figure in the coda) register marvellously!). I had to go to my copy of the Munch to find out the trumpet ascending note in the Finale you signalled: it's glorious! Thanks again! (By the way, with the exception of the Suitner and the Blomstedt I already have ALL your recommendations in my shelves).
Another hard-core Dvorak 8 collector! Love it! Thank you.
Love it! Waiting for Respighi Roman Tone Poems survey
Firstly, thank you David for all your efforts, I really appreciate the wealth of honest opinions you put out. I'm surprised you didn't mention the Davis/Concertgebouw reading though. Have you heard it? With thrust, intent, rollicking horns and sheer vitality from the Concertgebouw, it always holds a special place for me. In fact, Davis' 7th with the Concertgebouw is my favourite as well, and also my favourite of Dvorak's symphonies. Just noticed your round up on the 7ths in the margin - shall go and see what you say about that now!
Manfred Honeck brought this symphony to life with NYP in live concert last Friday. One of the most memorable performances. Then listened to the CD, equally fabulous.
My goodness, i cannot count the wonderful recordings i bought over the years just because of your reviews on classicstoday..such a pleasure to have you here on youtube, love this format! The Dvorak 8th is a masterpiece and i am glad to own the Suitner and the Blomstedt (both even on Eterna Vinyl), also the Honeck on CD, wonderful..Otmar Suitner made some really fantastic recordings, his Bruckner 1st, 4th and 8th, Stravinskys Sacre just to mention a few..Thank you David! Cheers from Germany
Thanks very much, and happy to hear from you.
Great videos! And I actually thought you'd mention Honeck in Mahler 4! Keep up the good work!
Thank you.
George Szell did a wonderful Dvorak 8th. I like his approach to the 3rd movement, when he slows it down for the middle part (I believe).
I hear that in the Manfred Honeck recording you can hear some audible breathing from the part of the conductor. I hope it's not too distracting.
Great to hear I am not the only one who thinks that Karajan's Vioenna recording of Dvorak's 8 is excellent. Outside of the complete sets (Rowicki, Kubelik and Kestesz) the once of recordings that I have are the mentioned Karajan and Munch (the 1st time I heard it I though this is somehing really special -great to hear you agree with that too) and lastly Bruno Walter - I am surprised that you omitted him. I think both his Dvorak 8th and 9th are truly very special as well indeed.
The 8th is interesting (both of them), but not, I think, among the best. The 9th is simply slack and rather dull, captured too late in Walter's career I think.
@@DavesClassicalGuide I agree, Walter's Dvorak 8 and 9 is certainly not first choices. None the less, I like what he does in both very much - we will have to agree to disagree regarding his 9th - I do not find it dull at all. I consider both valuable additions to my collection, giving me Dvorak in a different light compared to the other recordings I have. But thanks again for your talk on this symphony- as always I enjoyed it very much, even if I occasionally disagree with you say- but that's the wonder of music - we don't always need to like everything the same way. Many different recordings serving many different tastes in music. Be blessed.
@@ewaldsteyn469 Exactly!
Thank you David! Charles Munch comes as a surprise - he is best remembered above all for his wonderful performances of french repertoire...another Dvorak Eight which is very good also is Marin Alsop & Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Naxos. I like much her way in approaching this particular symphony - we haven't to forget that Dvorak's Eight had an important influence on Mahler ;) If I can make a recommendation: I don't know if it is still existing, but there's a recording by the Orchestra of the Teatro Lirico "Giuseppe Verdi" of Trieste under Julian Kovatchev, which is superbly recorded and very well done. Yes I know, the Orchestra of Trieste is maybe a sort of "provincial italian band", but this orchestra really give all the commitment to this precious score and the result is good...and is also a rare occasion to listen an italian orchestra playing this repertoire! Keep care and best regards from Italy
Thank you for the comments and suggestions. They are always welcome!
My go-to recording keeps being the live one with Ozawa and the Vienna Philharmonic. In some ways, it’s a bit warts-and-all, but the playing is wonderful, with much bravado and abandon. Thanks for mentioning that one piccolo note - Dvorák apparently knew about the beguilingly beautiful low register of the thing. And yes, in Ozawa-Vienna Phil you do hear the timpani in the end!
Looking forward to recommendations for Dvorak 6, my favorite of his symphonies.
Leinsdorf BSO fantastic
Kubelik the one on DG or the one on Orfro
I always blamed Dvorak for the too abrupt ending of this symphony until I read one of your reviews which pointed out that the rhythm of the final bars is not always conveyed correctly -the disc you were reviewing on that occasion by Claus Peter Flor and the Malaysian Philharmonic on BIS does get this right -it is my preferred version.
Mark Hangartner have this new will revisit.
Another terrific review David. I was a little disappointed Szell only got a passing mention, as his eighth has always been my favourite. Even so, in the spirit of 'keep on listening' I've decided to track down as many of the recommended recordings as possible. Already listened to the Karajan VPO which is marvellous. I didn't even know it existed. I think you're correct when you say it was more difficult for hvk to impose his style entirely onto the Vienna band. The finale of the Brahms coupling is incredibly powerful too, imo. Nothing routine going on there! Really not sure about the Pittsburgh disc, but that's just a first impression. Seems to lack beauty and drama to me. Keep them coming: though where you get your energy from, God only knows!
Be sure (about Pittsburgh). It couldn't hurt!
I’m totally satisfied with Kertez/LSO, but I’ll have to check out Honeck. 7 months later I finally listened to Honeck and think it’s great. But Kertez’s is still my favorite. I’ve heard the Rowicki and like that very much too. I’ll be checking out Dohnanyi, etc next.
Yes! The Honeck is incredible.
I have a sentimental attachment to the Scottish National Orchestra's recording with Neeme Jarvi. Will have to try out the others!
The Otmar Suitner version is also available in Apple Music.
Before you even start, I’m nominating Blomstedt/Dresden. (Also, he was conducting it in the first SFS concert I ever went to, in Flint Center.) It was also the first piece I played in orchestra on double bass at university, when I was just learning the instrument and could barely play anything. Lots of nostalgia for this piece!
You never forget your first time...
I’m late to the game here but I’m so glad you mentioned the added horns in the last bars of its finale. I have long wondered if this was just an artistic whim of the conductor or actually supported by the score.
Nope. It's a whim.
I agree so much about Suitner's Dvořák cycle. You can pick one or two other symphonies from other conductors but, overall, Suitner's cycle is a real winner to rank with Bělohlávek, Rowicki and Kertesz.
Can we hear your thoughts on Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Sibelius symphonies?
Notable absentees:
Silvestri/LPO
Dorati/LSO
Harnoncourt/RCO
Dorati's 7 and 8 from his time in London are superb. As are his early Tchaikovsky symphonies. The sound is amazing and the speeds are brisk and playing crisp!
Silvestri's account with the London Philharmonic is wonderful. Perfectly paced and a joy to listen to.
Harnoncourt's mini-cycle of the last three symphonies is interesting. It's different (as you'd expect from him doing this repertoire) but it is well worth a listen, brilliantly played by the Concertgebouw.
@@hectorberlioz1449 yes Harnoncourt's was acknowledged at the beginning. Personally feel that it deserves a bit more of a recommendation
What about Dudamel with Los Angeles Philharmonic? Any opinions?
Hey could you do a video on what makes a good symphony recordings/Performances vs bad ones. Things to listen for etc. I'm new to classical music and when listening I want to know what to listen for. Thanks😁
Please have a look at the "Videos for Beginners" playlist. There's a ton of material that will help you there--including the two recent "critical listening" videos.
@@DavesClassicalGuide ok thanks 😁
Some time ago I heard Carlo Maria Giulini's recording of the 8th. It is the SLOWEST Dvorak 8th I've ever heard! And he's Italian! Where's the Toscanini temperament? It wins the award for the best ploughing-through-the-mud performance!
Giulini never had Toscanini's temperament, based upon what I've heard. Even though Giulini was Italian.
have you review his only cello concerto op104 best recording thx
Done. Check the Dvorak playlist on my channel home page.
Most of my favorites got mentioned, with the exception of Barbirolli. Is this because you feel the playing of the Halle is substandard? I thought they sounded stronger than usual in this one.
There are innumerable very fine versions; if I don't mention a favorite it's because I felt I'd talked enough about plenty of them. That's really all there is to it. I'm not trying to be comprehensive--rather, representative.
At 11.29,you're video bombed by your cat, who is looking lovely
I know,
The first edition of this symphony has metronome marks. It would be interesting to review the different flavors of performances (exciting, moderate, sluggish) vs those speeds.
Assuming we can find out where those metronome marks come from--and even then, I don't put much store in them.
The Manfred Honeck CD from Reference Recordings that is your top pick is an SACD disc. Can this be played on all CDs or only those CD players specially equipped to decode SACD discs?
Yes
Munch didn't just retouch, he used a corrupt, wrong first edition. The most obvious problem is the oboe solo just before the Da Capo of the third movement. Didn't need to happen since the corrected parts were available at the time the recording was made - Walter doesn't suffer from this flaw. Munch seemed to do everything extremely well - so natural, exciting, and beautiful. But his Dvorak 8th shouldn't be anyone's only.
I find honeck's mannered and cannot listen to without raising eyebrows.
I'm going to add another 'sleeper'.
Enrique Batiz conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic on ASV Quicksilva at mid-price, coupled with the Carnival Overture.
I think my comments are becoming a bit obvious, insofar as I'll always prefer a well recorded modern digital version over a mono or a live off-air radio one. Mea Culpa! I also have Kubelik and the Berlin Philharmonic on DG Originals but the sound quality is just too 'thin' for repeated performances.
On the subject of price I've just seen my Enrique Batiz / Liverpool recommended recording offered for sale at $ 200 .
$ 200 !!!!!!!
I purchased my copy when available for £ 7.49 ( about $ 9 at current exchange rates ). No-one, but no-one could justify $ 200, not even for a version that's still sealed, not when CD's cost maybe $ 1 to manufacture. Most of the remaining $ 8 should go to the Artists, not to the vendor ( even the Artists own on- line stores wouldn't endorse a $ 200 price).
Motto is when the CD is available retail, buy it. Or regret it. But don't ever pay $ 200 for it.
On e-bay there are 3 copies currently for sale and the most expensive of those is £ 5.99 ( about $ 7 ).
Sounds like Amazon marketplace. I've often seen outrageous prices there. They hope a high price makes some people think it's something special.
You spoke ill of George Szell....the Gods will punish you 💥