Dvorák: Symphony No. 1; Legends Op. 59, Nos. 1-5

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1 in C minor ("The Bells of Zlonice"), B9
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Stephen Gunzenhauser

2. Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59) Nos.1-5
Composed by Antonin Dvorak
Performed by Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Stephen Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 in C minor: Allegro
Adagio Molto
Allegretto
Finale: Allegretto
Allegretto
Molto Moderato
Allegro Giusto
Molto Maestoso
Allegro Giusto

Customer Reviews:

Superb, riveting performance.......2007-06-14

Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor. Performed by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, dir. by Stephen Gunzenhauser. Recorded in May 1990 at the Reduta Concert Hall in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Legends Op. 59,1-5. Performed by the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, dir. Stephen Gunzenhauser. Recorded in May 1991 at the Concert Hall of Slovakian Radio in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Released in 1991 as Naxos 8.550266. Total playing time: 69'13".

This recording was given a three-star top rating in the "Penguin Guide", and having listened to it intently I can understand why. Although I still think that Naxos's recording equipment was, back in those days, not up to the standard of the majors, this CD proves that superior engineering is not the only key to success. Stephen Gunzenhauser leads the Slovakians in a superb, riveting performance of these too-little-known masterpieces, and a session in front of the loudspeakers is rewarded with any number of delights, from the bell-like forte chords at the beginning right through to the last of the five Legends. Dvorak's first symphony was, apparently, not played during his lifetime and was nearly lost. What a tragedy that would have been! The music is not as good as his mature works (he was only 24 when he wrote this), but it shows a good deal more than just promise - no wonder that Brahms soon made Dvorak his protége! - The Legends were written some 15 years later, originally as pieces for piano duet. Dvorak orchestrated them himself, however, and I agree with the reviewer who thinks they sound similar to the Slavonic Dances, although I would add that the music is more intricate and the tempi generally not as fast.

So, congratulations to Naxos for this Dvorak 1 - and congratulations to anyone who has the wisdom to purchase this CD!

Maybe the Best Dvorak First Around.......2003-05-16

Dvorak's First Symphony gives evidence that early in his career (1865) the composer might have become a Czech Bruckner, before he threw in with the Brahms-Hanslick camp. While the first and last movements are more headlong than Bruckner almost ever is in his symphonies (except in the scherzi), the symphonic argument seems similar, with long-breathed melodies and monumental architecture that recalls the approach of Bruckner's symphonic antecedent, Schubert. But then there are evidences that Dvorak was hammering out his own distinctive idiom: the treatment of the wind choirs at the opening of the slow movement is pure Dvorak, a pre-echo of the slow movements of the later symphonies such as the Seventh. Altogether, though Dvorak has a tendency to go on (and on) in his First Symphony, it's an auspicious start to a grand career.

The Legends, written fifteen years later, are vintage Dvorak, though some of them breathe the thin air of the salon, as far as I'm concerned. But this disc contains the best of the lot, No. 3, No. 5, and best of all, No. 4, a majestic march elevated by some noble sentiments from the brass and timpani, which don't get much play in the rest of the Legends.

Despite my fondness for Istvan Kertesz's way with the early symphonies, this performance by Gunzenhauser and the Slovak Philharmonic clearly supersedes that near-classic rendition. The current performance is wonderfully athletic and, where it needs be, touching (as in the lovely chamber-music-like sections for the strings in the scherzo or those compelling woodwind passages at the start of the slow movement). And Naxos provides some of its most natural and wide-ranging orchestral sound, rivaling its generally fine work in England and Scotland. Highly recommended.

great performances of underrated works.......2001-12-25

Dvorak's early symphonies are highly and wrongfully neglected works. Though his first symphony is an immature work, one can already notice Dvorak's style emerging, and the melodies are already wonderfully memorable. Here Gunzenhauser conducts a wonderful performance of this symphony. The first movement is dramatic and sweet at the same time with the tempi just right, while the second movement is wonderfully relaxed and atmospheric. In this movement, the woodwinds need to be commended for playing with such perfection and clarity. The third movement again demonstrates the skills of the woodwind section and has plenty of flair. The fourth movement is majestic and the final minutes are played with fire to close out a crisp and wonderful overall performance. The sound is bright and clear, though it slightly lacks depth. Nonetheless, this recording would be strongly recommended even if the price were much higher. To make the disc even more attractive is the inclusion of the first five of Dvorak's legends, short pieces with melodies reminiscent (especially the third Legend) of his famous Slavonic Dances. These are beautiful performances and are not matched by any other conductor, not even Kubelik. The solo horn performer simply produces magical sounds here. Again the sound is bright and clear, and this disc is an overall top recommendation for these works.

Slavic, youthful and profound..............2001-02-11

Wow! The most striking of moments on this disc is the first movement because although one can notice some immaturity in Dvorak's first symphonic effort, Gunzenhauser and these Slovaks pace the music extremely well, not embellishing too much but not underplaying either. Followed by a delicately played and naive second movement, the third movement is quite energetic and the last movement grand!

The Legends, Op.59 1-5 are sumptuous and very colorful, especially the third, and a wonderful coupling with the first symphony.

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in c: Allegro - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.1 in c: Adagio Molto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.1 in c: Allegretto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.1 in c: Finale: Allegretto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends, Op.59, Nos.1-5: Allegretto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends, Op.59, Nos.1-5: Molto Moderato - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends, Op.59, Nos.1-5: Allegro Giusto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends, Op.59, Nos.1-5: Molto Maestoso - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends, Op.59, Nos.1-5: Allegro Giusto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Sym No.2 in B, Op.4: Allegro Con Moto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.2 in B, Op.4: Poco Adagio - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.2 in B, Op.4: Scherzo: Allegro Con Brio - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.2 in B, Op.4: Finale: Allegro Con Fuoco - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends Op.59, Nos.6-10: Allegro Con Moto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends Op.59, Nos.6-10: Allegretto Grazioso - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends Op.59, Nos.6-10: Un Poco Allegretto E Grazioso - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends Op.59, Nos.6-10: Andante Con Moto - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Legends Op.59, Nos.6-10: Andante - Slovak PO/Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.10: Allegro Moderato - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.10: Adagio Molto, Tempo Di Marcia - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.10: Allegro Vivace - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: Allegro Non Tanto - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: Adagio - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: Scherzo: Furiant: Presto - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.6 in D, Op.60: Finale: Allegro Con Spirito - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: Allegro - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: Andante Sostenuto E Molto Cantabile - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: Scherzo: Allegro Feroce - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.4 in d, Op.13: Finale: Allegro Con Brio - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.8 in G, Op.33: Allegro Con Brio - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.8 in G, Op.33: Adagio - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.8 in G, Op.33: Allegretto Grazioso-Molto Vivace - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.8 in G, Op.33: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: Andante Con Moto - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: Andante Con Moto, Quasi L'istesso Tempo-Allegro scherzando - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.5 in F, Op.76: Finale: Allegro Molto - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: Allegro Maestoso - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: Poco Adagio - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: Scherzo: Vivace-Poco Meno Mosso - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser
Sym No.7 in d, Op.70: Finale: Allegro - Slovak PO/Gunzenhauser

Tracks:

Sym No.9 'From the New World': Adagio-Allegro Molto - Slovak PO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.9 'From the New World': Largo - Slovak PO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.9 'From the New World': Molto Vivace - Slovak PO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Sym No.9 'From the New World': Allegro Con Fuoco - Slovak PO/Stephen Gunzenhauser
Symphonic Variations, Op. 78: Theme/Variations 1-27/Finale - Slovak PO/Stephen Gunzenhauser

Customer Reviews:

Dvorak Symphonies, a wonderful bargain!.......2002-03-09

Naxos is undoubtedly contributing more to the popularity and perpetuity of Classical Music more than any other label. They do so by providing the recorded equivalent of "cheap" seats, those that are generally found in the balcony or back rows of the orchestra section in your local concert hall. Naxos provides accommodations that are often among the best in the house, and that are always a great value.

This complete set of Dvorak's nine symphonies would be a wonderful addition to anyone's collection, especially that of a collector on a budget. Though you can find better performances of the later symphonies, particularly the Symphony #9, aka "New World". (I particularly like performances by Kondrashin, on Decca and Reiner, on RCA). However before one can appreciate the subtle differences of a great performance, versus a good or adequate rendering, one needs to be exposed to the music and become familiar with it. With this collection, Naxos has provided a wonderful opportunity for a listener who is not familiar with Dvorak's symphonies to get his or her feet wet. Both the performances and sound quality are good and the price can't be beat. ...

Cliff Coleman

Music Review: