BaL 17.10.20 - Dvorák: Symphony no. 7 in D minor

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 07-10-20, 00:01

I'm not too certain about the historical accuracy of the BBC blurb. the Czech nation? I was under the impression that during the 19th century, there were two Czech regions in the Hapsburg Empire: Bohemia and Moravia, but no Czech nation as such.

**richardfinegold** · 07-10-20, 00:10

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

I'm not too certain about the historical accuracy of the BBC blurb. the Czech nation? I was under the impression that during the 19th century, there were two Czech regions in the Hapsburg Empire: Bohemia and Moravia, but no Czech nation as such.

Perhaps the word Nation is to describe a body of people, and not geographical boundaries

**LMcD** · 07-10-20, 07:37

The Gunzenhauser is coupled with the 5th, which is my favourite Dvorak symphony and deserves to be programmed and/or broadcast more often.

**BBMmk2** · 07-10-20, 08:07

I’ll have to look and see what I have!

**Barbirollians** · 07-10-20, 09:36

Kertesz,Barbirolli,Colin Davis and Monteux for me.

**rauschwerk** · 07-10-20, 09:37

I have had the Concertgebouw/Colin Davis version on my shelves for years and hardly played it. Having just listened to the first movement, I find the playing and recording excellent in every way. Kertesz is ok but not as good as this Davis recording.

**richardfinegold** · 07-10-20, 10:20

Szell was my only recording for many years, but now it’s Monteux that comes off the shelves.

**cloughie** · 07-10-20, 10:24

My first recording of this was from the days when it was called no2 by the BPO and Ferdinand Leitner. There was a good Supraphon CPO/Sejna and the the LSO Decca v Philips Kertesz v Rowicki and a powerful IPO/Mehta.

**Nick Armstrong** · 07-10-20, 10:26

Will have to listen to the 7th in the performance by LSO/Rowicki (which I don’t think I ever have), because imvvho they mopped the floor with everyone in a personal BAL of a couple of the earlier symphonies...

**cloughie** · 07-10-20, 10:42

Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post

Will have to listen to the 7th in the performance by LSO/Rowicki (which I don’t think I ever have), because imvvho they mopped the floor with everyone in a personal BAL of a couple of the earlier symphonies...

Not surprised Nick - on the LP issues for me the Kertesz set always scored over the Rowicki mainly on the sound from the Decca engineers (and the Breughel prints on the sleeves). However the Rowicki CDs improved the sound greatly but I would not be without both sets now.

**Petrushka** · 07-10-20, 10:54

It took me a fair while to get to grips with the 7th but it's probably now the Dvorak symphony I play most often. The only time I saw Vaclav Neumann and the Czech PO was in this very symphony back in 1977 and I therefore have a soft spot for his recording. Bernard Haitink made his very first recording with the Dvorak 7 and it is a fiery, dramatic reading, well recorded. Always surprised that Karajan never recorded or performed this work as I'd have thought it would have been perfect for him.

On my shelves are Neumann, Haitink, Colin Davis (x2), Monteux, Szell, Barbirolli, Giulini and Kubelik. There doesn't seem to be a duff performance amongst them but if pushed to choose one I'd go for Szell.

**Bryn** · 07-10-20, 10:59

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

It took me a fair while to get to grips with the 7th but it's probably now the Dvorak symphony I play most often. The only time I saw Vaclav Neumann and the Czech PO was in this very symphony back in 1977 and I therefore have a soft spot for his recording. Bernard Haitink made his very first recording with the Dvorak 7 and it is a fiery, dramatic reading, well recorded. Always surprised that Karajan never recorded or performed this work as I'd have thought it would have been perfect for him.

On my shelves are Neumann, Haitink, Colin Davis (x2), Monteux, Szell, Barbirolli, Giulini and Kubelik. There doesn't seem to be a duff performance amongst them but if pushed to choose one I'd go for Szell.

What, no Kertesz?

**Petrushka** · 07-10-20, 11:32

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

What, no Kertesz?

Not sure why I've never bought either the Kertesz or Rowicki sets. but I've been satisfied with those I have and so far haven't felt the need for more.

**Pulcinella** · 07-10-20, 11:48

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

Not sire why I've never bought either the Kertesz or Rowicki sets. but I've been satisfied with those I have and so far haven't felt the need for more.

At the risk of tons of opprobrium being heaped on me, I'm satisfied with the BBC MM offering (BBCPO/Sinaisky), as I am for the forthcoming Brahms Piano Quintet (two offerings in that case!). Indeed, one of the reasons I subscribed to the magazine was to get what are probably decent enough recordings of music that I'm not particularly attracted to, but am happy enough to have in my collection. And in my defence, I usually listen to the work being discussed before the broadcast, to at least familiarise myself with it. Indeed, I gave the Dvorak a spin this morning.

BaL 17.10.20 - Dvorák: Symphony no. 7 in D minor

BaL 17.10.20 - Dvorák: Symphony no. 7 in D minor

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