|
|
|
|
|
|
HomeMusicClassicalSymphoniesDvorák: Symphony No. 9 [SACD] |
|
|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Reference Recording Jan 06, 2009
Its special qualities haven't dimmed a bit in the four decades since it was recorded, and every interpretive decision comes across with the inevitability of fate itself. First, you get the first-movement exposition repeat (very unusual for its time), then there's the very slow (but still very flowing) Largo, gorgeously played and far from the trudge-fest. The scherzo goes like the wind, the fastest ever, and the finale offers simply the last word in excitement. There's no such thing as a "definitive" recording, but if there were, this one would come close to that imagined ideal - brighter, more present, with a sharper rhythmic kick.
14 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 Why Was This Issued? Dec 15, 2001
I simply cannot understand why this SACD was released. I have many recordings of Dvoark's 9th, on both LP and CD -- all different from each other, most delightful in their own way. And while conductors are entitled to their interpretations, I think that Bernstein was smoking something serious when he recorded this disk. It is, in my view, a travesty-- unless Bernstein meant to be silly, in which case he succeeded. As to the sonics, one has the impression that Sony is trying to do to SACD what it did to Beta, which is to torpedo the better format. This 9th was clearly recorded with a forest of mikes, and with "hot strings" that were the fashion of the day. Simply awful -- particularly when contrasted with other SACD releases that are entirely breathtaking. If Antonin was alive, he'd drop dead on the spot listening to this. In fact, I visited his grave about a decade ago. If I ever go back, I'll let you know if he rolled over.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Awesome SACD Oct 30, 2001
This is Leonard Bernstein and the NY symphony orchestra in top form. Mr. Bernstein's reading is interesting and the third movement of this symphony is among the fastest, most dramatic playing I have ever heard.The sound of this SACD is very big and bold that will kick you out of your listening chair.Also, you can hear the sense of the hall's acoustic, the breath of the orchestra and the hall's vibration which is fantastic. It is a demonstration quality.
3 of 7 found the following review helpful:
STUNNING!!! Oct 24, 2001
The sound of this SACD is very HUGE.. Stunning recording in everyway.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
There is a difference Jun 24, 2001
This is my first SACD (except for the demo that ships with the Sony player). I already own a CD of this piece (not by Bernstein) that I had only lukewarm feelings about so I was using this new SACD as a test of both Bernstein and the new media.This experiment has taught me two things. Both Bernstein and the SACD format make a difference, but it is the SACD format that surprised me (I already expected great things of Bernstein). I must admit that when I originally bought my SACD player I really did not think this new format would be that audibly different, after all CD enthusiasts always claimed that the human ear could not hear the subtleties of the extra detail that was missing. Well, I am here to say that they are wrong. This SACD was a revelation especially in the more dramatic portions of the piece. To put it simply, a CD cannot capture the essence of fingernails on blackboard, SACDs can. The violins and brass drill into your skull in a way the a CD never can. Bernstein's interpretation was marvelous. It has a very up tempo edgy quality that was astonishing. I especially loved the brass in the 4th movement.
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
![Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 [SACD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415X3EP5BCL._SL160_.jpg "Dvorák: Symphony No. 9 [SACD]")
