Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
View the MP3 Album.
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Completed in 1878, Smetana's stirringly patriotic Má vlast ("My Country") comprises 6 tone-poems in all, including the much-loved and justly famous "Vltava" (which unforgettably charts the course of that eponymous Czech river). Most performances of Smetana's masterpiece (and there are plenty to choose from) last around 70 minutes, but Antoni Wit's unusually thoughtful interpretation approaches 80. Fortunately, this underrated Polish conductor directs with such likeable character and intelligence (and the orchestral playing in Katowice is so polished and responsive) that one's attention never wavers. True, Wit's imposingly broad "Vltava" may not be to all tastes (the peasant wedding some four-and-a-half minutes in is a rather less boisterous affair than usual), but generally speaking it's refreshing to encounter a Má vlast of such plentiful incident and engaging narrative flair. The sound is pleasingly atmospheric, if a wee bit short on sheer body and tonal lustre. So, if your budget won't extend to full price (where Rafael Kubelík's magnificent 1984 Orfeo account with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra continues to occupy a very special place of honour), Wit's notably individual version certainly offers striking value for money. --Andrew Achenbach
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I too had only heard Vltava -- an orchestra I play in is doing it this year -- before I was bought this. I hadn't realised how 'enchanting' (good word for it, really!) this was! If you've only heard one of the poems and want to listen around them, this is a wonderful edition. The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra is a brilliant orchestra - especially noted after I went to see them play Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique last year.
Utterly brilliant and highly recommended.
Utterly brilliant and highly recommended.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As good a way to judge a disc of Ma Vlast as I can think of is how well it manages to sustain my interest through all six tone-poems played without intermission. I have now undergone the experience twice, and that in close succession because I had enjoyed the first time through enormously. It comes to all but 80 minutes' playing time, and it was not a moment too long for me, even second time round.
I do not have recent performances in mind to use as comparisons, benchmarks, yardsticks or what have you. Many years ago there were three or four sets of Ma Vlast directed by Kubelik, and not surprisingly they were widely taken as a standard. My memory of them is fading, indeed well faded, but the impression that remains with me is that the tempi were in general faster than Wit's tempi here. I like Wit's tempi. There is plenty of energy when it is called for, notably in the fierce Sarka and in the nationalistic final Blanik. However the overall impact is of a relaxed direction giving this relaxed and most beautiful and attractive music time to breathe. Wit seems to understand the Bohemian idiom thoroughly, so far as I from out the northern island can judge of such a matter. The music never sags at any point, even in one very dreamy sequence indeed in Vltava. Most impressive of all from my point of view was that the two final pieces, expressing Hussite themes and added later to the original suite of four, kept my attention effortlessly despite being, I guess, a little less inspired than their predecessors. The whole suite evokes love of homeland and the intense joy of just being there, but the secure and unquestioning aspects of that are probably more musical and poetic than the more assertively nationalistic ones.
The recordings date from as far back as 1993 and 1994, and this surprised me because the tone would be very passable by 21st century standards. Insofar as I can detect any difference in quality, it is probably in favour of the earlier takes, the first two tracks consisting of Vysehrad and Vltava. This allows us to hear some particularly beautiful harp sound right at the start, and a truly lovely effect in the quiet stretch of Vltava that I mentioned just above. In fact the orchestral tone is as beautiful as it needs to be throughout, and the Polish National Radio Symphony can take pride in what it has done here.
This is not music to be agonised over but music to be enjoyed in a straightforward way. When I bought the set I had a rough but adequate idea of what I was looking for out of it, and I am in no doubt at all that I have got that. If you need comparative assessments then this is the furthest I can take you. For what it may be worth, I would say don't waste this short life stressing over earnest comparisons where this music is concerned. I think you can safely take a short cut, and I think you will not regret acquiring this set, especially at this Naxos price.
I do not have recent performances in mind to use as comparisons, benchmarks, yardsticks or what have you. Many years ago there were three or four sets of Ma Vlast directed by Kubelik, and not surprisingly they were widely taken as a standard. My memory of them is fading, indeed well faded, but the impression that remains with me is that the tempi were in general faster than Wit's tempi here. I like Wit's tempi. There is plenty of energy when it is called for, notably in the fierce Sarka and in the nationalistic final Blanik. However the overall impact is of a relaxed direction giving this relaxed and most beautiful and attractive music time to breathe. Wit seems to understand the Bohemian idiom thoroughly, so far as I from out the northern island can judge of such a matter. The music never sags at any point, even in one very dreamy sequence indeed in Vltava. Most impressive of all from my point of view was that the two final pieces, expressing Hussite themes and added later to the original suite of four, kept my attention effortlessly despite being, I guess, a little less inspired than their predecessors. The whole suite evokes love of homeland and the intense joy of just being there, but the secure and unquestioning aspects of that are probably more musical and poetic than the more assertively nationalistic ones.
The recordings date from as far back as 1993 and 1994, and this surprised me because the tone would be very passable by 21st century standards. Insofar as I can detect any difference in quality, it is probably in favour of the earlier takes, the first two tracks consisting of Vysehrad and Vltava. This allows us to hear some particularly beautiful harp sound right at the start, and a truly lovely effect in the quiet stretch of Vltava that I mentioned just above. In fact the orchestral tone is as beautiful as it needs to be throughout, and the Polish National Radio Symphony can take pride in what it has done here.
This is not music to be agonised over but music to be enjoyed in a straightforward way. When I bought the set I had a rough but adequate idea of what I was looking for out of it, and I am in no doubt at all that I have got that. If you need comparative assessments then this is the furthest I can take you. For what it may be worth, I would say don't waste this short life stressing over earnest comparisons where this music is concerned. I think you can safely take a short cut, and I think you will not regret acquiring this set, especially at this Naxos price.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One of the difficulties with the cycle of six tone poems that make up `Ma Vlast` is that we rarely if ever hear more than two of them, Vltava, and From Bohemia`s Woods and Fields, in concert or anywhere else for that matter. The first of the set is Vysehrad,a depiction of the old Hussite fortress-site on the Vltava River, and Antoni Wit kicks off immediately with a superbly gripping performance of it. This sets the tone for the rest of the disc, with finely-paced versions of Vltava (the river sweeps through Prague majestically, and the St. Johns Rapids section is truly exciting), Sarka, From Bohemia`s Woods and Fields (a wonderful `big tune` at the heart of it), and the two neglected pieces to close, Tabor, and Blanik. If you can listen to this cycle complete, in one sitting as it were (the disc clocks in at almost 80 minutes` worth), and retain your interest, this is a good test of whether justice has been done to Smetana`s wonderful music. No problems here in that regard whatsoever.
I have had the privilege of hearing the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra live on a number of occasions when they have been to the UK on tour. They are a highly dedicated band of musicians, their performances are never routine run-throughs, and their rapport with their respected conductor is second to none. All of this comes through on this recording, made in the winter of 1993-94 in Katowice, at the Concert Hall of Polish Radio.
I have always thought that this CD came off the Naxos production line at a time when their recordings were improving beyond measure, and for a few years afterwards the PNRSO with Wit were entrusted with a number of major orchestral projects, for example the Tchaikovsky symphonies. They did not disappoint, and they don`t here.
There are many renderings of this music available on disc, one of the advantages of Naxos is of course the bargain price. Great music, superbly played, bright and clear recording, inexpensive. Highly recommended.
I have had the privilege of hearing the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra live on a number of occasions when they have been to the UK on tour. They are a highly dedicated band of musicians, their performances are never routine run-throughs, and their rapport with their respected conductor is second to none. All of this comes through on this recording, made in the winter of 1993-94 in Katowice, at the Concert Hall of Polish Radio.
I have always thought that this CD came off the Naxos production line at a time when their recordings were improving beyond measure, and for a few years afterwards the PNRSO with Wit were entrusted with a number of major orchestral projects, for example the Tchaikovsky symphonies. They did not disappoint, and they don`t here.
There are many renderings of this music available on disc, one of the advantages of Naxos is of course the bargain price. Great music, superbly played, bright and clear recording, inexpensive. Highly recommended.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Avoid this version!
I'm sorry to say this issue loses out to nearly all the competition. The conducting seems slack and uninspiring. Read more
Published 12 months ago by mfpilks
Swept away by the River Moldau
While I enjoy all of Smetana's 'Ma Vlast' tone poems I must admit to having been totally captivated by the second tone poem - it is gorgeous, you can just picture the river... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by Joanna Fleming
Enchanting
When I bought this CD I had only ever heard 'Vltava' but I found that all the pieces were as enchanting and magical as that. Close your eyes and you could be there. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2003 by Cadenza83
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
