Dvorak Symphonic Poems

[Barbirollians]

I feel that these works are rather underrated and after listening to the Kertesz recording following on hearing the Golden Spinning Wheel with the Halle last week they strike me as immensely inventive enjoyable works .

Which is your favourite?

[Petrushka]

Rattle's 2 CD set of these was an absolute revelation when I first heard it, not having heard them at all until then, and I couldn't understand how music this good was pretty much ignored in the concert hall. They are indeed 'immensely, inventive enjoyable works'. I listened to the Kubelik recording of The Noonday Witch only the other night and I suppose that's currently my favourite.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Rattle's 2 CD set of these was an absolute revelation when I first heard it, not having heard them at all until then, and I couldn't understand how music this good was pretty much ignored in the concert hall. They are indeed 'immensely, inventive enjoyable works'. I listened to the Kubelik recording of The Noonday Witch only the other night and I suppose that's currently my favourite.

The old Decca Kertesz recordings still stand up pretty well IMHO. I never owned all of them, and went for the Rattle complete set when it came out. Extremely good, but I think a head-to-head BaL-type contest wouldn't be a foregone conclusion.

[Barbirollians]

The old Decca Kertesz recordings still stand up pretty well IMHO. I never owned all of them, and went for the Rattle complete set when it came out. Extremely good, but I think a head-to-head BaL-type contest wouldn't be a foregone conclusion.

Yes I have the Kertesz set

[BBMmk2]

I have Kertesz's and Kubelik's cycles and a smattering of others, oh yes and Sir Charles Mackerrass!! One of my favourites Barbs is The Golden Spinning Wheel, too, although I do have a penchant for The Czech Suite.

[hafod]

Rattle's 2 CD set of these was an absolute revelation when I first heard it, not having heard them at all until then, and I couldn't understand how music this good was pretty much ignored in the concert hall. They are indeed 'immensely, inventive enjoyable works'. I listened to the Kubelik recording of The Noonday Witch only the other night and I suppose that's currently my favourite.

This is a very fine set and I would not have associated this music with Rattle. Harnoncourt is also well worth seeking out.
Incidentally, the Rattle set is available for £1.20 + the usual delivery.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0009U55Z6/

[Pianorak]

the Rattle set is available for £1.20 + the usual delivery.

It was - thanks hafod.

[Acavus]

I have always treasured a two-disc Supraphon set of the Concert Overtures and Symphonic Poems with the Czech Philharmonic conducted by Bohumil Gregor. Wondefully idiomatic performances, beautifully recorded in 1987, and, in my copy at least, with a booklet including the text (plus English translations) of the four ballads by Erben upon which the symphonic poems were based. The set seems to be available from Japan at a very modest price and is well worth investigating.

[DublinJimbo]

The Rattle set certainly is very fine, as is Harnoncourt.

The Water Goblin is my favourite.

[Pulcinella]

For me, one of the good things about the BBC Music Magazine CDs is that they introduce me to works that I would not necessarily otherwise buy or listen to, these Dvorak pieces being prime examples.

A quick skim through them reveals the following.

The Water Goblin: BBCPO/Sinaisky
The Golden Spinning Wheel: BBCPO/Noseda
The Wood Dove: BBCSSO/Volkov
The Noonday Witch: BBCSSO/Titov

Perhaps not up to the standard of Rattle or Kertesz, but they are good enough for me.
Has anyone else got them and would care to comment?

[HighlandDougie]

is well worth investigating.

With that recommendation, duly ordered (although not, alas, in its Denon Japanese pressing guise). Thanks for the tip.

[HighlandDougie]

Following the acquisition of the Bohumil Gregor and the Rattle, I've just received the new Decca set of the Kertész Dvorák recordings, as in:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/lso-dvorak-kertesz-recordings-decca-hardback-book-9cds-blu-ray-audio.html

The recordings have been newly remastered (by the excellent team at Abbey Road) and sound even better than ever; there is a Blu-ray which I haven't yet explored. The CDs come in a very handsome bound volume. There is also a slim hardback with notes and the Blu-ray, with both being contained in a stout box. A real treat as Kertész's symphonic poems in particular are so engrained in my musical consciousness that no other performances - not even the admirable Harnoncourt set or Kubelik - seem to me to quite as good (I found the Rattle to be rather mannered).