Kubelik's Apollonian and Dionysian Aspects (Preview to His 10 Best Recordings on ClassicsToday.com)

Rafael Kubelik's was a very complex personality. Exiled from his native Czechoslovakia, he embodied the role of the homeless wanderer, and it took him several decades to grow into that role and turn it into music gold--but that's exactly what he did. This chat introduces his 10 best recordings, an eclectic selection that you can view on ClassicsToday.com. If you're not an Insider Subscriber, please consider signing up here: www.classicsto...

[@henryfate7170]

Finally. One of the most underrated conductors.I remember him conducting a Bruckner 7th. The best scherzo ever.

[@ulrikskouenborg7041]

Wonderful description of Kubelik's uniqueness! Please let me add that Kubelik's opera recordings are distinguished by his ability to suggest the visual side though the recording, of course, gives only the sound. The scenery in Pfitzner's Palestrina is complicated, but it becomes so obvious when listening that you don't even have to read the score to follow the action! The same goes for his Wagner recordings. 😊

[@joosroets5533]

He conducted the very best Meistersinger ánd Parsifal (both on ArtsArchives) - bar none - an unusual feat.

[@petterw5318]

And the best Rigoletto!

[@ernestrobles1510]

I would add the Dvorak Legends to the list. He brings a warmth to the performances of these works that remains unmatched.

[@kenschellberg1776]

Thanks!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank you very much! That's so kind of you!

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

His recordings on disc and a YT of symphonies by Hartmann are superb.

[@feskoegaffney9177]

I recall that after leinsdorf left the Boston symphony in 1968 kubelik was seriously considered as the replacement

[@edopetti]

Your overview is dead on! I'm just surprised you didn't indicate Kubelik's recordings of Furtwangler's Symphonic Concerto and Busoni's Piano Concerto as ultimate evidence of how broad his taste could be... Also I now hope that you should give us a talk on that famous "international" Beethoven cycle, as a post-script to the 10-best video.

[@gartenkauz2152]

Talking of Bavarian Radio Orchestra: Bavarian TV is going to show Herbert Blomstedt conducting the Eroica in the night Tuesday to Wednesday.

[@swimmad456]

Can I just give a shout out or Kubelik's outstanding performance of Martinu's 4th Symphony with the Czech Philharmonic released in the Great Conductors of the 20th Century series. Its a perfomance of enormous verve and intensity and to me unmatched by any later recording. Perhaps there are more Martinu recordings from Kubelik but I have missed them.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

There are a few--the 5th Piano Concerto and The Frescoes of Pierro della Francesca most obviously.

[@grantparsons6205]

Kubelik was seriously underrated but also (on disc at least) somewhat inconsistent. There are some forgettable performances out there (eg, his Bavarian Brahms cycle) but also many glowing gems. His 10 best, though, unquestionably are reference recordings.