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Dvorak: Symphonies, Overtures / Rowicki, London Symphony Orchestra [6-CD Collector's Edition]


Release Date: 03/30/2010 
Label:  Decca   Catalog #: 001407102  
Composer:  Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Number of Discs: 6 
Recorded in: Stereo 
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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 Read more 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

1.
Symphony no 1 in C minor, B 9 "The Bells of Zlonice" by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1869; Bohemia 
2.
Symphony no 2 in B flat major, Op. 4/B 12 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1865; Bohemia 
3.
Symphony no 3 in E flat major, Op. 10/B 34 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1873; Bohemia 
4.
Symphony no 4 in D minor, Op. 13/B 41 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1874; Bohemia 
5.
Symphony no 5 in F major, Op. 76/B 54 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1875; Bohemia 
6.
Symphony no 6 in D major, Op. 60/B 112 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1880; Bohemia 
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 
9.
Symphony no 7 in D minor, Op. 70/B 141 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1884-1885; Bohemia 
10.
Symphony no 8 in G major, Op. 88/B 163 by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1889; Bohemia 
11.
Symphony no 9 in E minor, Op. 95/B 178 "From the New World" by Antonín Dvorák
Conductor:  Witold Rowicki
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1893; USA 
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 

Sound Samples

Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.3 - "The Bells of Zlonice": 1. Maestoso - Allegro
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.3 - "The Bells of Zlonice": 2. Adagio di molto
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.3 - "The Bells of Zlonice": 3. Allegretto
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op.3 - "The Bells of Zlonice": 4. Finale (Allegro animato)
Carnival Overture, Op.92
Muj Domov Overture, Op.62 (My Country)
Symphony No.6 in D, Op.60: 1. Allegro non tanto
Symphony No.6 in D, Op.60: 2. Adagio
Symphony No.6 in D, Op.60: 3. Scherzo (Furiant: Presto)
Symphony No.6 in D, Op.60: 4. Finale (Allegro con spirito)
Symphony No.2 in B flat, Op.4: 1. Allegro con moto
Symphony No.2 in B flat, Op.4: 2. Poco adagio

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 3 Customer Reviews )
 Yowza! December 20, 2015 By Olin Williams (Portland , OR) See All My Reviews "Simply put, this is the set to own!" Report Abuse
 Superior Dvorak January 23, 2015 By owen r. (lakewood, CA) See All My Reviews "Istvan Kertesz's Dvorak Symphonies were probably held up as the standard due to his time as conductor with the LSO and his recording with Decca. Witold Rowicki was relatively unknown being from Poland-- behind the Iron Curtain. Rowicki recorded his Dvorak with the LSO on Phillips during the same time period as Kertesz. Any similarities end there. Whereas Kertesz was in a more lyrical style reminiscent of Schubert, Rowicki had a more driven dramatic style closer to Beethoven. His is truer to the Czech Nationalist style than the Viennese influenced Kertesz. In this set only the Second Symphony is spread out on 2 discs. The Phillips' recording is first rate; the music jumps out and grabs you. This is exciting stuff and I strongly recommend it. If you are a real Dvorak nut like me you'll probably want both Kertesz and Rowicki." Report Abuse
 Stellar Performances by the LSO March 10, 2013 By M. Bishop (Clackamas, OR) See All My Reviews "Rowicki and the LSO do a stellar job of interpreting these symphonies by Dvorak. Their performance of the Ninth Symphony is worthy of note, along with their outstanding renditions of the other eight symphonies, which probably aren't so well-known. I recommend these selections to those seeking to round out their Dvorak library, as well as to those who are ardent fans of the LSO." Report Abuse
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