Ultimate Dvorák: The Essential Masterpieces [Box Set]
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overview
Ultimate Dvorak: The Essential Masterpieces. The title alone lends itself to all kinds of problems. Who decides which of Dvorák's compositions are indeed his "essential" ones? Are the performances of these masterpieces also the ultimate? This five-disc collection by Decca is certainly an adequate introduction to some of Dvorák's most popular works: the final three symphonies, the cello concerto, and the Serenade for Strings. What's more noticeable is what's missing; despite Dvorák's rather significant contribution to chamber music, this genre is passed up in favor of lesser-known works like the Op. 44 Wind Serenade or both the Op. 46 and Op. 72 Slavonic Dances. The actual performances throughout the five CDs are, again, adequate. The London Symphony Orchestra, heard performing the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth symphonies, suffers from some unusual and unexpected balance problems. Julian Lloyd Webber's interpretation of the Cello Concerto is neither remarkably in tune, nor musically enthralling. The highlight of the collection is the beautifully performed Serenade for Strings with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Apart from its bargain price, however, most listeners may do better shopping for Dvorák's "essential masterpieces" using the a la carte method: choose superior performances of fewer works rather than passable performances of more compositions. ~ Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide
tracks
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, B. 141 (Op. 70) (first published as No. 2): 1. Allegro maestoso
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, B. 141 (Op. 70) (first published as No. 2): 2. Poco Adagio
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, B. 141 (Op. 70) (first published as No. 2): 3. Scherzo
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, B. 141 (Op. 70) (first published as No. 2): 4. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): 1. Adagio - Allegro molto
Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): 2. Largo
Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): 3. Scherzo
Symphony No. 9 in E minor ('From the New World'), B. 178 (Op. 95) (first published as No. 5): 4. Allegro
Symphony No. 8 in G major, B. 163 (Op.88) (first published as No. 4): 1. Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 8 in G major, B. 163 (Op.88) (first published as No. 4): 2. Adagio
Symphony No. 8 in G major, B. 163 (Op.88) (first published as No. 4): 3. Scherzo
Symphony No. 8 in G major, B. 163 (Op.88) (first published as No. 4): 4. Allegro ma non troppo
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 1. Allegretto non troppo, quasi andantino
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 2. Molto moderato
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 3. Allegro giusto
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 4. Molto maestoso
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 5. Allegro giusto
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 6. Allegro con moto
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 7. Allegretto grazioso
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 8. Un poco allegretto
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 9. Andante con moto
Legends (10), for orchestra (arr. from, B. 117), B. 122 (Op. 59): 10. Andante
Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): 1. Allegro
Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): 2. Adagio ma non troppo
Cello Concerto in B minor, B. 191 (Op. 104): 3. Finale: Allegro moderato
Rusalka, opera, B. 203 (Op. 114): Polonaise
Carnival (Karneval), concert overture, B. 169 (Op. 92)
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 1 in C major: Presto
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 2 in E minor: Allegretto scherzando
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 3 in A flat major: Poco allegro
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 4 in F major: Tempo di minuetto
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 5 in A major: Allegro vivace
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 6 in D major: Allegretto scherzando
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 7 in C minor: Allegro assai
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 83 (Op. 46): No. 8 in G major: Presto
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 1 in B major: Molto vivace
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 2 in E minor: Allegretto grazioso
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 3 in F major: Allegro
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 4 in D flat major: Allegretto grazioso
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 5 in B flat minor: Poco adagio
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 6 in B flat major: Moderato, quasi minuetto
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 7 in C major: Allegro vivace
Slavonic Dances (8) for orchestra, B. 147 (Op. 72): No. 8 in A flat major: Lento grazioso, ma non troppo, quasi tempo di valse
Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): 1. Moderato
Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): 2. Tempo di valse
Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): 3. Scherzo: Vivace
Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): 4. Larghetto
Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): 5. Finale: Allegro vivace
Serenade for winds & strings in D minor, B. 77 (Op. 44): 1. Moderato, quasi marcia
Serenade for winds & strings in D minor, B. 77 (Op. 44): 2. Tempo di minuetto
Serenade for winds & strings in D minor, B. 77 (Op. 44): 3. Andante con moto
Serenade for winds & strings in D minor, B. 77 (Op. 44): 4. Allegro molto