Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 - Mácal
Exton OVCL-00250
Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid
Classical - Orchestral
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", Novák: Slovak Suite
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Zdeněk Mácal (conductor)
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Review by John Broggio - January 28, 2009
An enjoyable but undistinguished Dvorak 9th.
As ever, with this orchestra, there is a sensibility about the music making that is rarely matched let alone bettered in Dvorak. However the same cannot be said of Macal's direction and too often the playing sounds a little lacklustre despite the delicious pointing of the orchestra. The tonal contribution is just "right" for the composer yet there is no tension or narrative flow in their account of the Largo. Nor in the scherzo or finale is there the articulation that makes Dvořák: Symphonies 8 & 9 - Fischer so very thrilling. Nothing is really wrong but this account just doesn't have the personality that can be heard (having heard this team in this music on tour, it is a shame they didn't wait a little while to tape this repertoire when it was far more compelling).
The filler is Novak's Slovak Suite which is frequently used by the orchestra as a source for encores when touring. That this is derived from concert performances tells immediately with the extra engagement of the orchestra audible to the listener.
The sound, despite being recorded a few months apart and the symphony in studio conditions, is consistently good, allowing all details to be conveyed in an entirely natural manner without a hint of spotlighting.
As a monument to the Czech PO's way with Dvorak there are better documents on SACD (the same is true for Macal) but if the Novak is particularly appealing there are worse ways of spending money.
Copyright © 2009 John Broggio and HRAudio.net
Performance:
Sonics (Multichannel):
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