BaL 15.03.25 - Dvořák: Symphony 8

[Pulcinella]

I'm reliably informed that the subject for this edition is Dvořák's Symphony 8, and that the reviewer is our own makropulos, Nigel Simeone.
I'll update with the R3 website blurb when they sort all the episodes out!


1500
Building a Library
Nigel Simeone chooses his favourite recording of Dvořák’s 8th Symphony

Dvořák’s lyrical 8th Symphony, infused with the spirit of Bohemian folk music, was written between August and November 1889 and first performed on 2 Feb 1890 to mark Dvořák’s admission to the Czech Academy of Arts and Sciences. It has a very original symphonic structure, appearing to be in the usual four movements, but Dvořák said he wanted to handle themes in a ‘different way’ in this piece.


Presto listing here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/69098--dvo-ak-symphony-no-8-in-g-major-op-88/browse

The BBC MM release (Volume 10, Number 11) is with the BBC PO under Gianandrea Noseda, recorded in (at?) New Broadcasting House, Manchester, in December 2001.

First choice:
Prague Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)
Supraphon SU38482

[Barbirollians]

Halle/Barbirolli - now that was easy . Though that late 1940s live Walter from New York is stupendous.

[Petrushka]

Tough job! There are so many good ones out there but my favourites are VPO/Karajan (Decca) and Cleveland Orchestra/Szell.

[Mandryka]

. I like Christoph von Dohnanyi and Yakov Kreizberg most in this symphony I think.

[Alison]

Last covered in October 2011; Rob Cowan selecting, somewhat controversially at the time, LSO/Davis.

[Pulcinella]

Last covered in October 2011; Rob Cowan selecting, somewhat controversially at the time, LSO/Davis.

Oops.....seeing your name reminded me that standards have slipped.
In my rush and confusion I've forgotten to mention the BBC MM CD release here and in the Bruckner thread!

About to be remedied!

[Darloboy]

Last covered in October 2011; Rob Cowan selecting, somewhat controversially at the time, LSO/Davis.

Yes, and prior to that Anthony Burton chose LPO/Mackerras in June 03

[Wolfram]

Yes, and prior to that Anthony Burton chose LPO/Mackerras in June 03

I think Mackerras’ 2005 live recording with the Prague Symphony Orchestra is better. I have a huge soft spot for Kertesz though.

[silvestrione]

I listened to VPO/Karajan, and thought it impressive, but a little heavy-handed.
My favourite has always been Kubelik with the BPO, idiomatic (in my probably ignorant opinion!) and with wonderful playing...that burnished brass!
I suspect Nigel will steer us towards some orchestra with stronger Czech credentials.

[Wolfram]

My favourite has always been Kubelik with the BPO, idiomatic (in my probably ignorant opinion!) and with wonderful playing...that burnished brass!

Not ignorant at all! I agree, it’s a marvellous, heartfelt recording, for me it probably just pips Mackerras and Kertesz.

[cloughie]

Kertesz and Kubelik have both stood the test of time for many years!

[akiralx]

Budapest FO/Fischer for me.

[oliver sudden]

The BBC legends disc with the rightly legendary live Beecham Sibelius 2 also has a live Beecham Dvořák 8 which is not quite as unmissable but nonetheless jolly fine and no swash remains unbuckled. Shouldn’t be anyone’s first Dvořák 8 but should certainly be considered for anyone’s second.

[Barbirollians]

Kertesz for me out of the classic cycles - ahead of Kubelik and Rowicki . I have never really got the latter all a bit worthy for me.

[Petrushka]

I don't envy our own makropulos in choosing his favoured version!

In our BaL discussions, opinion often seems to settle on one or two recordings that most of us recognise as being worthy of 'winning' but in this case the same recording has hardly been mentioned twice in our comments!

Interesting, too, that no Czech Philharmonic recordings are being mentioned in what is probably Dvorak's most 'Czech' symphony. I've only got the Vaclav Neumann recording with them and it's perfectly OK.

Two other versions that deserve a mention are Harnoncourt and Sir Colin Davis both with the Concertgebouw.