Smetana: String Quartet No. 1 & No. 2

On this CD:

1. String Quartet No. 2 in D minor, JB 1:124
Composed by Bedrich Smetana

2. String quartet No 1 in D minor
Composed by Vladimir Sommer

Tracks:

Orchestra Tune-Up
Bartered Bride Overture
Symphony 5, 1st Movement
The Four Seasons, Autumn, RV293, 1st Movement
Divertimento In F, K.138, 1st Movement
March Militaire
Symphony 5, 4th Movement
Annen Polka
Capriccio Espagnol, Alborada
Trish-Trash Polka
Concerto In C, RV537, 3rd Movement
Capriccio Espagnol, Fandango
The Four Seasons, Spring, RV269, 1st Movement
Serenade For Strings, Waltz
The Bartered Bride, Polka
Symphony 100, 'Military' 2nd Movement
Piano Sonata 15, Op.28, 4th Movement
Waltz In G Flat Op.70, No.1
Symphony 101, 'Clock' 2nd Movement
6 Children Pieces, Op.72, 2nd Movement
Lullaby

Customer Reviews:

Selection is not good.......2006-07-27

This tape is short and the melodies are not engaging for kids. It was waste of money.

Baby Einstein: Traveling Melodies .......2006-02-23

Hello everyone,
This CD is great!
My son has ADD & when we are out & he gets Anxious I put this CD in his portibale CD player.
It seems to help him calm down & better cope with things.
I think that every parent should have this CD that has a special needs child.
Thanks so much for putting it online for people to buy.
Thanks Again,
A Greatfull Mom

Saved My Sanity.......2005-11-03

My husband and I are musicians so I inwardly groaned when we were given this CD as a gift--I'd rather play the originals rather than some synthesized kiddie version. However, on a recent road trip we got desperate when our colicky son would not stop screaming. We popped this in the CD player and it calmed him down immediately. I swear, it's like aural crack for babies. We now play it at bedtime to help calm him down and it still works. You may not love this CD, but your baby will.

A Very Pleasant CD for Little Ones in the Car.......2005-11-01

I picked this up for driving around music and was very pleasantly surprised. Quite enjoyable (and my son seems to like it too!) and perfect for exactly what it says--traveling around. Easy listening and could possibly make your child smarter, great!

Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9

Average customer rating:

Good Lord, just buy it.
Virtuosic
Emotionally flat
poor audio quality
Wonderful

Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5; Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
Pictures at an Exhibition/Capriccio Espagnol
Grieg, Schumann: Piano Concertos
Mozart: Concerto Nos. 21 & 24

ASIN: B000007QCH
Release Date: 1998-06-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: I. Allegro maestoso
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: II. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: III. Scherzo. Vivace -- Poco meno mosso
Symphony No. 7 In D Minor Op. 70: IV. Finale. Allegro
Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Overture To The Bartered Bride
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': I. Allegro vivo appassionato
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': II. Allegro moderato alla Polka
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': III. Largo sostenuto
Quartet In E Minor 'From My Life': IV. Vivace -- Meno mosso

Tracks:

Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: I. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: II. Adagio
Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: III. Allegretto grazioso - Molto vivace
Symphony No. 8 In G, Op. 88: IV. Allegro, ma non troopo
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: I. Adagio. Allegro Molto
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: II. Largo
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: III. Scherzo, Molto vivace
Symphony No. 9, In E Minor Op. 95: IV. Allegro con fuoco

Amazon.com

George Szell's great musical hero was Toscanini, but the truth is that on any given day Szell was probably the better conductor. Of course, comparisons like this aren't fair, especially when so much of Szell's musical prime has been preserved in really good sound, which certainly isn't true of the great Italian conductor. But it's worth pointing out all the same, because all of Toscanini's best qualities are here. The razor-sharp rhythms, perfect orchestral balances, and, where required, stunning power of the orchestra are all placed in the service of Dvorák's magnificent music. The result is that the "interpretation" as such simply vanishes; you experience an inevitable, organic musical discourse. It's what all great conductors aspire to- -but for Szell, it was all in a day's work. Essential. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Good Lord, just buy it........2007-05-29

Not only is this the most passionately and perfectly played Dvorak and Smetana I've ever heard, it is sonically head and shoulders above the Columbia/Sony reissues we had to suffer through for so many years.

The Cleveland Orchestra is quite simply on fire here, Szell is inspired, one of the great musicians of the century, and the sound reflects the bright, spacious feeling of Severance Hall.

Let's just hope that Sony continues to clean up the scores of remaining Szell/Cleveland recordings they have in their vault for digital release. Music making of this caliber is of historical importance.

Postscript--After several more listenings I notice that in the wildly intense mono recording of Smetana's Bartered Bride overture there are moments where Szell can be heard driving the string section attack by singing the parts in a mad voice reminescent of Glenn Gould or Bernstein in their wackiest moments of musical transport. And his orchestration and performance of "From My Life".... Szell an Ice Cube? Stereotypes and reportage from third rate journalists die hard. This is music making of such barely contained passion and frenzy that even after thirty years of listening to it I still find new things to marvel at...

Virtuosic.......2006-02-17

This set contains the most technically accomplished performances of these works. Just listen to the hair-raising coda of the 8th symphony's last mvt. Truly virtuosic.

Emotionally flat.......2006-01-08

These recordings, though aurally quite good (including the 1949 Smetana quartet orchestration, in spite of its mono vintage) present the Szell/Cleveland collaboration that I remember hearing live in Carnegie Hall: everything beautifully, even gorgeously, played, balances perfect, everything well-done...but emotionally flat as a pancake, totally lacking in excitement or verve. Now, this wasn't ALWAYS the case, on record or live; witness the Smetana overture here, and the "quartet". But the symphonies are all that way, gorgeous but unmoving.

One reviewer compares Szell to Toscanini, citing the perfection of execution of both of these artists and saying that Szell, and Toscanini, are out of favor now. Well, Toscanini's performances, whatever you say about them, cannot EVER be called emotionally cold or flat, as these are!

I am still searching for the Szell/Cleveland Dvorak 8th, recorded by EMI in 1970, which presented an entirely different view, a performance with real passion and verve, even excitement, added to the perfect execution in evidence here. But it seems to be out of print!

poor audio quality.......2005-09-03

The performances are good, but the background hiss is overwhelming if you have a good audio system. Especially during soft, lyrical passages such as in the Adagio movement of Symphony no. 8.

Wonderful.......2004-05-08

All the other reviewers have said basically summed up what needs to be said about these recordings - the razor sharp precision, the amazing orchestral balance, the powerful dynamics. The Cleveland Orchestra under Szell was something unlike anything else in the world of music. Highly Recommended.

Average customer rating:

FABULOUS SELECTION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Classics for Relaxation and Meditation

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Box Set)
Most Relaxing Classical Piano Music in the Universe
Bach for Relaxation
Rachmaninoff for Relaxation
Chopin For Relaxation

ASIN: B000000LOH
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

BWV 992: Jeusus Is Always My Gladness
Concerto In B Flat Major: Adagio
Organ Concerto In G Major: Largo
Moonlight Sonata In C Sharp Minor Op. 27-2: Quasi Una Fantasia (Adagio Sostenuto)
Mass In E Minor: Kyre Eleyson
Piano Concerto No. 26 In D Minor K537: Larghetto
Symphony No. 8 In Minor D 759: Andante Con Moto
Fantasy Op. 73: Tender And With Expression
The Moldau: Sympohic Poem
Valse Triste: Op. 44, 1 From 'Kuolema'
Oboe Concerto In C Major K314: Adagio - Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major K467 'Elvira Madigan': Andante

Tracks:

Souvenir De Florence In D Minor Op. 70: Adagio Cantibile - Tchaikovsky
Raindrop Prelude In D Flat Major Op. 28 - 15
Symphony No. 4 In A Major Op. 90 'Italian': Andante con molto
Love Dream No. 3 In A Flat Major Op. 62
Lullaby - Berceuse Op. 105
Berceuse: Lullaby Op. 57 - Chopin
Wind Quartet In E Flat Major Op. 88-2: Andante grazioso
Cello Concerto In G Major: Romance
Concerto For Flute, Harp And Orchestra In C Major K299: Andantino - Mozart
Sonata In C Minor Op. 13 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile - Beethoven
Divertimento No. 1 In B Flat Major 'Chorale St. Antoni': Andante - Haydn _

Tracks:

Stabat Mater Op.58: Virgo Virginium Praeclara - Dvorak
Divertimento No. 1 In B Flat Major: Chorale - Haydn _
Consolation In E Major - Liszt
Symphony No. 5 In D Major, Op.107 'Reformation': Finale
Execution Transcendante: Evening Harmony - Liszt
Overture In D Major: Air BWV 1068 - Bach
Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - Gluck
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major Op. 15: Largo - Beethoven
String Quartet No. 62 In C Major, Op.76, 3 'Emperor': Adagiop cantabile - Haydn _

Customer Reviews:

FABULOUS SELECTION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC.......2001-05-16

Whether or not you are a fan of classical music, the truth is that everyone enjoys a few hours of peace and relaxation. This CD provides a wide selection of music from famous composers like Mozart to lesser known classical composers, which makes it the perfect CD to play on your stereo during those rare moments of peace. Play it while reading a favorite novel, or just simply sit down and meditate with the help of this classical CD. Beethoven's widely popular "Moonlight Sonata" for the piano and Chopin's extraordinary "Raindrop" are just two examples of musical pieces that will not only calm but enrich your life. With a total of three discs included at a phenomenal value, this is one CD that you cannot afford to pass up.

Smetana: The Bartered Bride / From My Life

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Smetana: The Bartered Bride / From My Life

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Smetana: Má Vlast

ASIN: B000000ADK
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

The Bartered Bride - Overture And Dances: I Overture
The Bartered Bride - Overture And Dances: II Dance Of The Villagers
The Bartered Bride - Overture And Dances: III Polka
The Bartered Bride - Overture And Dances: IV Furiant
The Bartered Bride - Overture And Dances: V Fanfare
The Bartered Bride - Overture And Dances: VI Dance Of The Comedians
From My Life - String Quartet In E Minor: I Allegro vivo appassionato
From My Life - String Quartet In E Minor: II Alla polka
From My Life - String Quartet In E Minor: III Largo sostenuto
From My Life - String Quartet In E Minor: IV Vivace - meno mosso

Amadeus Quartet Plays Bruckner, Smetana, Verdi

Average customer rating:

RARE BRUCKNER...

Amadeus Quartet Plays Bruckner, Smetana, Verdi

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haydn: String Quartets, Opp. 51, 54, 55, 64, 71, 74
Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets

ASIN: B0009ND438
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Customer Reviews:

RARE BRUCKNER..........2007-05-03

.
We have a new winner in the Best Bruckner contest: the Amadeus' reading of the Quintet is very clear and episodic, thus rendering the musical architectonics vividly.

In honor of Norbert Brainin--1st violin of the Amadeus--DGG has issued for the first time on CD the Amadeus' readings of Bruckner, Verdi, and Tchaikovsky. Nice!--especially the Bruckner.

cf. Bruckner: String Quintet F major/String Quartet C minor
.

Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Average customer rating:

Superb!

Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Franz Joseph Haydn , Felix Mendelssohn , Ludwig van Beethoven , Johannes Brahms , Antonin Dvorak , Bedrich Smetana , Leos Janacek , Eva Bernathova , Janacek Quartet , and Smetana Quartet
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Janacek / Novak: String Quartets
Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon
The 1950s Concerto Recordings
The Complete 1950s Chopin Recordings
Igor Markevitch

ASIN: B00007EB9S
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Tracks:

Cd 1 Mozart: String Quartet K.387 / Haydn: String Quartet Op.33 No.3
Cd 2 Haydn: String Quartets Op.33 No.2 / Op.3 No.5 Op.76 No.2
Cd 3 Mendelssohn: Octet Op.20 With Smetana Quartet / Beethoven : String Quartet Op.59 No.2
Cd 4 Brahms: Piano Quintet Op.34 / Dvorak: Piano Quartet Op.81 With Eva Bernathova, Piano
Cd 5 Dvorak: String Quartets Opp.34 & 96
Cd 6 Dvorak: String Quartets Opp.51 No.105
Cd 7 Smetana: String Quartet No.1 / Janacek: String Quartet No.2

Customer Reviews:

Superb!.......2003-03-04

Back in "Iron Curtain" times it was by no means easy to hear Soviet-bloc artists in the U.S., and recordings really established international reputations over here. And based on available recordings it was generally conceded that the two great Czechoslovak string quartets were the Janacek and the Smetana, the former based in Moravia (Brno), the latter in Bohemia (Prague). The heyday of the Janacek Quartet was the 1950s and 1960s when these recordings were made for Deutsche Grammophon, British Decca and Westminster. About half were recorded in mono, the rest are stereo; but all are, technically speaking, very decently produced and wear their years lightly. Performance highlights for me are the Decca recordings of Dvorak and Haydn quartets; the DG recording of the Brahms piano quintet (with Eva Bernathova); and the stunning Westminster performance of the Mendelssohn Octet (where the Smetana Quartet joins in!). The great conductor Karl Bohm once declared that the Czech lands were the home of great string playing, and when you hear these recordings you sense the justness of that remark. These players produce an ineffable sweetness of sound that never cloys, and they phrase with an easy naturalness that, on every re-hearing, discloses new subtleties. No, this is not high-powered American string playing ala the Julliard Quartet; what the Janacek Quartet offers is a style and sound that is almost lost in today's internationalized musical performance world. Catch this set while you can; it's billed as a limited edition and many of the performances have been unavailable (in the U.S., at least) since the early 1960s. Space-saving soft box format and price are additional inducements, but these priceless recordings would be a bargain at twice the price DG is charging. Final note: no collection of the Janacek Quartet's work is complete without their stunning stereo recording of the two great quartets written by their namesake, currently available on a midprice Supraphon CD. Although an earlier, mono recording of the second Janacek quartet is included in the DG box, spend a little extra for the Supraphon CD just to get the Janacek Quartet's equally stunning performance of Janacek No. 1 ("Kreutzer Sonata" quartet). You won't regret the minor duplication, plus the Supraphon CD also includes a pleasant, "off the beaten path" quartet by 19th century Czech Romantic Vtislav Nowak as a substantial bonus. But for heaven's sake, don't hesitate to buy the DG collection right now!

Borodin: Quartet No. 2; Smetana: Quartet No. 1 "From My Life"

Average customer rating:

Classic Delights.
Romantic String Quartet of Two Great Composers
Forget the Borodin, it's all about Smetana!
Beautiful and Romantic Mush

Borodin: Quartet No. 2; Smetana: Quartet No. 1 "From My Life"

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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String Quartets No. 1 ("From My Life") & No. 2
Borodin: Symphony No.2/In The Steppes Of Central Asia/Prince Igor

ASIN: B000003CV4
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato
II. Scherzo
III. Notturno
IV. Finale
I. Allegro Vivo Appassionato
II. Allegro Moderato A La Polka
III. Largo Sostenuto
IV. Vivace

Amazon.com

Playing on the matched set of Paganini Strads form the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C., the Cleveland Quartet shows that Americans can do the music proudly, too. Their reading is well-paced and thoughtfully phrased, and while their sound is lighter than that of the Borodin ensemble, it is handsomely captured in Telarc's 1988 recording. Smetana's E Minor Quartet (From My Life) makes for a desirable coupling. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Classic Delights........2002-03-28

The Borodin begins the program with an awkwardly cascading melody that eventually weaves its way among all the parts swelling like a creek until it reaches a serenly quiet pool. Robert Wright and George Forrest manipulated the Scherzo and Notturno into "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" & "And This Is My Beloved" for their 1953 musical Kismet. Borodin's gifted melodies are just as stellar in their original form. The romantic and lilting Scherzo is like a champagne toast. The yearning Notturno develops a perfectly balanced echo before the emphatic finale. Smetana's quartet is by far more polished than the Borodin in both arrangement and technical prowess. The plaintive opening leads into the "serious" second movement polka. The weighty Largo finally concedes to the unison joys of the Vivace finale. The two quartets complement each other marvelously. Don't let the dreary cover illustration fool you, these romantic quartets would be comfortable at any black-tie gathering.

Romantic String Quartet of Two Great Composers.......2001-07-06

This is 57 minutes of beautiful, flowing string music composed by one Russian and the other Czech.

Wanting more of Borodin after long love affair with his Nocturne, I searched for a quality recording of the Quartet in No. 2. This Cleveland Quartet recording is clear and played on a matched set of Stradivarius instruments once belonging to Paganini.

Borodin is remarkable individual, who worked productively in both fields of chemistry and music. This quartet no. 2 was dedicated to his wife in honor of their 20th anniversary. No wonder many of us find this music no hauntingly romantic.

Smetana has long been of interest to me, now I enjoy this quartet as well. He supposedly composed this as his personal response to life's tragedy for him, which declined to deafness and insanity. It was a programmatic movement, from the opening youthful mood to the second (a polka) of youthful dancing, to the largo of first love, to the haunting Finale, a lengthy holding high pitched note, which reminded him of the oncoming deafness. Interesting that in first private performance, Dvorak performed the viola part.

Will get much play from me. Delightful stuff!

Forget the Borodin, it's all about Smetana!.......2001-05-28

I'm sorry to say, but I absolutely cannot stand Borodin's music, particularly his chamber music. THat aside, the Cleveland Quartet does a beautiful interpretation of this awful quartet; they actually make that piece tolerable.

However, for those of you who like the Borodin (I'm unsure why :-)...you'll love it.

Bad bit aside, the Smetana is absolutely brilliant. It is a wonderful programmatic piece of chamber music written by an amazing (yet underrated) composer - it really is a little known gem. And the performance of it is spectacular - they truly do bring out the rich Romanticism that is present in all of Smetana's works.

So, buy this for the Smetana - you will not regret it!

Beautiful and Romantic Mush.......2001-03-07

For anyone seeking the very romantic string quartet music, this is the perfect CD-- romantic almost to the brink of schmaltz, yet irresistibly lyrical. The Borodin is a fluffy soufflé, rich and sugary. You may know the Nocturne as "And This is My Beloved" from Kismet. Certainly, it may be over-the-top romanticism, and my better half says, "resist!" yet I find myself indulging it in again and again.

Smetana's quartet is one of the few programmatic sting quartets. In it, he musically depicts various events from his life-- his romantic moods, his love of dancing (embodied in the polka of the second movement), his first love, and, in the finale, the deafness which began to appear when he was 50 years old.

Tracks:

Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': I. Allegro Vivo Appassionato
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': II. Allegro Moderato Alla Polka
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': III. Largo Sostenuto
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': IV. Vivace
Str Qt No.2 in d: I. Allegro - Lindsay Str Qt L
Str Qt No.2 in d: II. Allegro Moderato-Andante Cantabile
Str Qt No.2 in d: III. Allegro Non Piu Moderato, Ma Agitato E Con Fuoco
Str Qt No.2 in d: IV. Finale: Presto-Allegro-Moderato Allegro-Con Fuoco
Romance: Andante Con Moto Quasi Allegretto-2nd Movement From Str Qt No.5 in f, Op.9
Two Waltzes: No.1 in A, Op.54 No.1-Moderato
Two Waltzes: No.2 in D, Op.54 No.4-Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Essential Recording.......2005-09-06

The Lindsays are not as well known in the US as in Europe. They are one of the best String Quartets ever! Comparable to Busch,Vegh,Hungarian and Amadeus. Their ensemble is impeccable and ALL their recordings are worth every cent!

This one in particular has been a favorite for many years and anyone thinking of the Smetana Quartets should not hesitate. This is one of their series of "Bohemian" Quartets and all of them are 5 stars.

They have now retired and their like is not playing anymore.

Get any of their CD's ( and the Beethoven is especially fine) and I assure you, you will not regret it!

Average customer rating:

Great Melodies Of The Classics

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Fanfare (Masterpiece Theater Theme)
Orchestral Suite No.3 in D Major, BWV 1068: Air For The G String
Canon In D Major
The Spring In E Major, Op.8, No.1: Allegro
The Spring In E Major, Op.8, No.1: Largo e pianissimo sempre
The Spring In E Major, Op.8, No.1: Allegro: Rustic Dance
Water Music Suite: Allegro
Water Music Suite: Air
Water Music Suite: Bouree - Handel_
Water Music Suite: Hornpipe - Handel_
Water Music Suite: Andante expressivo - Handel_
Water Music Suite: Hornpipe - Handel_
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV1047: (Allegro) - Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV1047: Andante - Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV1047: Allegro assai - Bach
Table Music Overture - Telemann
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV565 - Bach

Tracks:

Symphony No.5 In C Minor, Op.67: Allegro Con Brio
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Allegro
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Romanze: Andante
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Menuetto: Allegretto
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Rondo: Allegro
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Adagio: Vivace Assai
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Andante
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Menuet: Allegro Molto
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Symphony no.5 In B-Flat Major: Allegro Vivace - Schubert
Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467: Andante - Mozart
Beethoven: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Beethoven

Tracks:

Light Cavalry Overture
Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64: Valse: Allegro moderato
William Tell: Overture
Bolero
Die Fledermaus (The Bat): Overture
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Overture
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Scherzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Nocturne
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Wedding March - Mendelssohn
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Puck's Dance - Mendelssohn

Tracks:

The Valkyrie: Ride Of The Valkyries
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Dawn
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Death Of Ase
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Anitra's Dance
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: In The Hall Of The Moutain King
Les Preludes
Orpheus In The Underworld: Overture
My Country: The Moldau
The Afternoon Of A Faun: Prelude
Carmen: The Toreadors
Carmen: Habanera
Carmen: March Of The Smugglers

The Hollywood String Quartet Plays Kodály, Smetana & Dvorák

Average customer rating:

They're better than good!

The Hollywood String Quartet Plays Kodály, Smetana & Dvorák

Manufacturer: Testament
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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The Hollywood String Quartet
The Hollywood String Quartet plays Tchaikovsky, Borodin, & Glazunov
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht; Schubert: Quintet
The Hollywood String Quartet
The Hollywood String Quartet Plays Prokofiev, Hindemith, Walton

ASIN: B000003XJD
Release Date: 1996-04-10

Tracks:

Str Qt No.2, Op.10: I. Allegro
Str Qt No.2, Op.10: II. Andante-Allegro Giocoso
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': I. Allegro Vivo Appassionato
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': II. Allegro Moderato A La Polka
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': III. Largo Sostenuto
Str Qt No.1 in e, 'From My Life': IV. Vivace
Str Qt No.12 in f, Op.96, 'American': I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Str Qt No.12 in f, Op.96, 'American': II. Lento
Str Qt No.12 in f, Op.96, 'American': III. Molto Vivace
Str Qt No.12 in f, Op. 96, 'American': IV. Finale (Vivace Ma Non Troppo)

Amazon.com

The Hollywood String Quartet is still revered among many collectors and music lovers for the tonal suavity and urbanity of its performances. Those qualities aren't the best for performances of these Romantic and early 20th-century pieces. In particular, I find the Smetana, a heartbreakingly powerful piece at its best, lacking in passion and much too well-behaved for its own good. Dvořák's popular Quartet comes off better, but the moving Lento slow movement is still too restrained. And the fiery Kodály isn't nearly as exciting as the version by the Kodály Quartet on Hungaroton HCD 12362. I would have placed the Kodály, the only stereo recording, last on this disc instead of first. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

They're better than good!.......2000-01-25

I don't know who Mr./Ms. Gerber is, but perhaps they are one of those people who want to make a name for themselves by finding flaws in perfection or believe Van Gogh would have been better if he had been able to work in MS Windows Paint Box. That said, let me say these performances are very well-played and the commitment to exemplary music-making is obvious. Perhaps they are a bit restrained at times, but then again, the HSO were "film studio musicians" by trade. They didn't have time for such extemporaneous distractions. As it is, we are indeed lucky the Slatkins and their friends were kind enough to leave us this legacy, without any thought to monetary gain or fame, something that seems to be taken for weakness or a character defect in this post-American century. In addition, when the Pelican Guide to Classical Music on CD and Jim Svejda of The Insider's Guide to Classical Recordings give recordings like these great reviews, YOU KNOW they're better than good.

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