Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

These performances still sound as fresh and lively as any available. The first movement of the Eighth in particular has striking vitality, and Talich's characterful treatment of the finale, which waits until the coda before really taking off, continues to serve as a model of how the music can be played most effectively. The New World Symphony has similar passion and fire, and a Largo to die for, though in this work there's very strong competition from Ancerl on this same label, in very good stereo. Throughout both performances the playing of the Czech Philharmonic is, as expected, magnificently idiomatic, and the early 1950s mono recordings sound perfectly fine in these latest transfers, perhaps a bit brighter than in their previous incarnation. If for some reason you don't know these performances, then by all means get this latest release, and treasure it.

--David Hurwitz

This release features the esteemed conductor Antonio Pedrotti conducting the Czech Philharmonic in the Rudolfinum, Prague. All of the recordings on this three-disc set were taken between 1953 and 1971. Famous for conducting batonless, Pedrotti conducts Respighi, Ravel, De Falla, Brahms, Mussorgsky, Debussy, and Mendelssohn in this recording.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Not only violinists are eternally grateful to Antonio Vivaldi for the sheer abundance of concert works he bequeathed. The instrument he wrote for with the second greatest frequency is the bassoon, for which he created about forty concertos. Two of the most celebrated bookend Václav Vonášek’s debut recording and are supplemented by pieces by other 18th-century masters.

Classical Music

Ilja Hurník’s highly acclaimed recordings of Debussy and Ravel are released here for the first time on CD in a carefully remastered version. When listening to these recordings one will indeed be hard pressed to believe that they were made a full half-century ago. Hurník’s ninetieth birthday is an appropriate opportunity to recall them.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music