Don Satz declared that he is:
>ready for a complete set of the symphonies.
and asked:
>Kubelik has a full set on DG, and I think that's received much acclaim.
>Are there any other full sets of merit? I could also buy on a one by one
>basis. Reading the archives, it appeared that Szell was considered a great
>buy for the latter symphonies. How about Gunzenhauser on Naxos?
Regrettably, the Gunzenhauser versions I've heard are no more than
adequate. There are several aternatives. Witold Rowicki's LSO versions of
the first six symphonies are on two Philips Duos (446 527-2 (Nos 1-3) and
446 530-2 (Nos 4-6 and a couple of overtures). These are very enjoyable
versions, IMHO, for all sorts of reasons, not least some fabulous horn
playing. My favourite CD store advertised the Kubelik set (463 158-2)
on special but are still waiting for their stock so I can only comment on
the very strong impression those I've heard on the radio have made, enough
to order the set. The Jarvi versions I've heard are good but a bit
perfunctory for my taste in places: I don't usually mind faster tempos
than I'm used to, but I find he overdoes it. There are always the Kertesz
versions, well recorded, the LSO again in top form and in many ways, you
won't do better. I realise I've done no more than muddy the water, but the
Dvorak symphonies have been extraordinarily well-served. I must mention my
favourite Dvorak symphony CD - Antal Dorati's Mercury version (434 312-2)
of Nos 7 and 8.
Less troublesome for choice are the symphonic poems which are also
essential Dvorak. Kubelik has done four of them with the Bavarian Radio
Symphony on DG Galleria (435 074-2, 2 CDs) with a clutch of overtures and
the underrated Symphonic Variations, all of which run 157:10. For some
reason, the last symphonic poem, A Hero's Song, rarely gets recorded and is
not part of the Kubelik set but it's on a very good Naxos CD by the Polish
RSO under the dependable Antoni Wit with the Czech Suite (8.553005), and
two shorter works.
Richard Pennycuick
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