"The Moldau" - Smetana

ajzepp · « **on:** 22 Jul 2011, 10:47 pm »

I'm not a classical music guy at all, and as dumb as this may sound, I remember back when I took a music appreciation class how much I fell in love with this piece. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a well-recorded version of this for me to pick up on CD?

Thanks!

thunderbrick · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Jul 2011, 11:31 pm »

DAMN! Same thing happened to me in Music Appreciation 101! If you listen to that piece and don't see that river heading to the sea, you don't have a pulse!

rpf · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Jul 2011, 01:32 am »

Of those I've heard, Libor Pesek with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (Virgin/EMI, I think) probably has the best sound and is a good rendition but lacking a bit in concentration and "magic".

Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic (DG Originals) has very good sound, and "magic", although it is magic with a slight Brucknerian cast.

My favorite orchestral recording is Rafael Kubelik with the Boston Symphony (DG), in fair sound. It's the most idiomatic of the three.

There is also a version for piano four hands by the Duo Crommelynck (Claves?) that is stunning - and in superb sound.

katzer · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Jul 2011, 09:17 am »

http://www.amazon.com/Smetana-M%C3%A1-Vlast-Bedrich/dp/B00000DFMX/

Stunning recording, the emotions ran high on that one.

rpf · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Jul 2011, 02:32 pm »

Quote from: katzer on 27 Jul 2011, 09:17 am

http://www.amazon.com/Smetana-M%C3%A1-Vlast-Bedrich/dp/B00000DFMX/

Stunning recording, the emotions ran high on that one.

Thanks, I'll have to pick that one up.

RakeAngle · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Aug 2011, 05:37 am »

For a complete Ma Vlast ("My Country") which includes "Die Moldau" try Vaclav Talich and the Czech Philharmonic on Supraphon. The mono sound is quite good, and the performance, incomparable. In stereo, look for the Karel Ancerl (also Supraphon with the Czech Phil.) In addition, George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra recorded a Moldau with stunning orchestral playing (especially the horns). Coincidentally, all three conductors are of Czech background (Szell was born in Hungary, but his mother was Czechoslovakian).