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Notes and Editorial Reviews
There have been three unambiguously great Dvorák symphony cycles: Kertesz (Decca), Kubelik (DG), and this one (Philips, now Decca). Although it has traditionally received less attention than the other two, owing to the unfamiliarity of the conductor's name in the West, Witold Rowicki's remains arguably the finest set of them all. It has no weak performances. Like Kertesz, it features the LSO, observes all movement repeats, and makes no cuts in the First Symphony. Unlike the Kertesz recordings, the sonics are notably warmer and more flattering to the strings without in any way minimizing the critical contribution of the winds. Rowicki's interpretations are swift, energetic, and rhythmically snappy--all of a piece from one work to the
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next. Several performances, including Symphonies 3-5, never have been bettered, and these versions of the late works are uniformly excellent. So are the four overtures. It may be that Decca has released this set at budget price in order to keep the more famous Kertesz set as the "premium" option. So much the better for you. This is a mandatory acquisition for anyone who loves Dvorák.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
7.
Hussite Overture, Op. 67/B 132 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:
Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1883; Bohemia
8.
My Home Overture, Op. 62/B 125a by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:
Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1882; Bohemia
12.
Carnival Overture, Op. 92 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:
Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1891; USA
13.
Othello Overture, Op. 93 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:
Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1891-1892
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 5 Customer Reviews )
Of historical interest July 1, 2018
By Keith Anderson (Kingston, TAS) See All My Reviews
"I have the complete symphonies of Dvorak by: Belohlavek, Andrew Davis, Kertesz, Rowicki, Serebrier, Valek, and Gunzenhauser. I'm still searching for something worth five stars. The Rowicki is often highly regarded, but really shows its antiquity. The performance is probably quite good, but I think the recording engineers have aimed for safety, and they have probably succeeded. It is all quite pleasant, but I tend to think cucumber sandwiches, not Bohemian revelry. Sorry to be mean. So far, Davis and Serebrier are contenders for best available, and I keep searching for a complete set by Myung-Whun Chung whose 3, 7; 6, 8 are worth five stars."
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A truly fine Dvorak cycle April 4, 2018
By J. Tatnall (West Grove, PA) See All My Reviews
"Rowicki's Dvorak is all of a piece: it flows, dances, sings, surges, and wraps you in the folds of color, rhythm, melody, and harmony as no other set does. These symphonies are painted and sculpted, not beaten."
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