EMI ASD 380: Kempe Does the New World Symphony
EMI HMV ASD 380
Dvorak: "New World" Symphony
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Rudolf Kempe, conductor
Pressing: ED1, white/gold label
Date first published: 1960
Stampers: 2YRA 1067-3, 2YRA 1068-4
Performance: 9/10
Sound: 7/10
Price range: $46-439 (mean $172) on popsike.com
Comments: Someone at EMI must've loved the New World Symphony, because EMI and its UK Columbia branch released no fewer than five stereo recordings of this work during the late 1950s to early 1960s (the other three being SAX 2275, SAX 2322, SAX 2405, SAX 2554). Although Rudolf Kempe is probably best known for his reference recordings on EMI of the works of Richard Strauss from the 1970s, he is also well known for his interpretations of music by Czech composers. This recording of Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" is a prime example. Upon listening to this album again tonight, I found the playing of the Berlin Philharmonic in the second movement to be, simply put, beautiful. The Scherzo movement may not have had quite the intensity and rhythmic drive of Leonard Bernstein's interpretation with the New York Philharmonic (still my reference analog version) but eventually gained more forward momentum. The finale was strong and dramatic and boasted very fine playing by the brass and strings. Overall, the recording is warm sounding with good bass extension (timpani are well recorded on this album).
Of all of EMI's golden age recordings of this symphony, the Kempe LP takes home my award for best front cover art, particularly with its classic picture of the Statue of Liberty.
I like the ASD reissue of the Karajan Dvorak 9 very much (originally an SAX Blue and Silver).
ReplyDeleteIf the price is right, I may snag the concert classic SXLP 30110 of this which might be quite good. I would not expect the Bernstein to have great sound. As mentioned before the best sound and performance combination may be the early Kertesz on London (I do like my Super Analogue of this, the Stereo Treasury not so much.)
Yes, I forgot about the Kertesz. I don't own that Decca but have the Kertesz's entire Dvorak cycle on CD.
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ReplyDeleteOf the four mentioned, I lean towards SAX 2554 as my favourite performance wise although I like them all.
ReplyDeleteI Can't remember what the SQ was like and I've not made any notes so I'll be playing this tonight to refresh my memory
My copy is on the SC label with stampers YAX 1092-8 1 G & YAX 1093-2 1 A
I have that one but haven't reviewed it yet ... maybe i should now that you've brought it up!
DeleteI think a movement my movement pick of the best almost might be in order. I heard that Colonel Klink's daddy starts to lose it in the finale (Warner was actually a violinist himself). I think that and the third movement are kind of where the audiophiles get their jollies.
DeleteI Prefer the Original EMI His Master's Voice ASD-380 as there is Something about having the Original LP'S and I Collect Mainly Yehudi Menuhin Records and I've got both the first and the second Pressing of the Brahms Violin Concerto Recorded in 1957 and Published in 1958 and I've never heard a Performances to beat it
ReplyDeleteThere is another... https://youtu.be/8Q2snBQJfug Menuhin
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