Top Shelf Silvestri: The HMV Recordings, Part Five
For the fifth installment in our ongoing series of the collectible HMV stereo recordings of Romanian conductor, composer, and pianist Constantin Silvestri (1913-1969), we'll take a look at his 1961 recording of Antonin Dvorak's 2nd (now known as his 7th) symphony with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
HMV ASD 396
Dvorak: Symphony No. 2 (No. 7) in D Minor, Op. 70
Dvorak: Symphony No. 2 (No. 7) in D Minor, Op. 70
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Constantin Silvestri, conductor
Matrix numbers: 2YVH 19-2 / 20-2
Another one of Silvestri's rarer and more valuable discs, this recording with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is worth seeking out for its dramatic performance of Dvorak's 7th symphony. The playing of the Vienna Philharmonic is passionate and inspired, and the sound is very good, if not quite at the level of Silvestri's best sounding discs. The going price of the original white/gold label HMV pressing appears to have decreased a bit since the pandemic (median of $70 and maximum of $220 USD since 2020). You might consider trying out one of the less expensive, but no less good sounding, reissues first (see below).
The Stereo Record Guide, Vol. 3 (1963) gave this recording a qualified two stars *(*), commenting the following: "Silvestri's HMV recording is clearer than Haitink's but the sound is not strikingly rich. The performance is a typical Silvestri reading, with some good moments, but inclined to be erratic: the sort of performance that comes off in a concert hall better than on a record. Try the very beginning of the Scherzo to see what I mean - this could become irritating in time, or worse, condition the listener to expect it in all performances. The orchestral playing is good."
Excerpt from the first movement:
Excerpt from the fourth movement:
Matrix Numbers: 2YVH19 / 2YVH20
An excellent and affordable reissue of ASD 396, with sound that is well representative of the original ASD although perhaps missing some of the tube warmth. I'm not sure what stampers were used to press these; the matrix numbers are numbered as I've listed above, without a hyphenated number following the 2YVH stem. This is the later WRC pressing; the original WRC had the green "strobe light" label with the same matrix numbers as the ASD original above.
ASD 396 was also reissued by the UK World Record Club (ST 543) and as part of the HMV Concert Classics series (SXLP 30151). I have not heard these but imagine that they would also make very good sounding alternatives to the original.
SXLP30151 (1972 recut/deleted after 2 years): Powerful/bit bass-heavy & 'boxy'. Clearer woodwind than Enescu Rhapsody (side 2: 3 tracks). Discloses a limited dynamic range. Overall not too bad (considering EMI/Vienna Musikverein sonics).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tin Ear, for the info about the SXLP! I didn't see an EMG Monthly Letter review in the batch of Silvestri reviews you posted on your site. Did they skip over this one?
DeleteMissed the review (4/61) -and couldn't find Shosty 5:-
Delete"Compared with these two performances {Haitink/Leitner] Silvestri's though often musical and perceptive, is irritatingly mannered and he too often steps between listener and music for his interpretaion to have much lasting value. He receives a bold and forceful recording though the strings lack the broad sweeping tone one expects from this orchestra. The stereo recording positions the orchestral sections well but the range is limited. Haitink's version is the one to have....."
My 1968 Festivo of the Haitink possibly retains original matrices.
Thank you very much for adding this! EMG could be harshly critical of Silvestri! I have not heard the Haitink. How about Kertesz on Decca?
DeleteThe Kertesz was early-on one of my fave stereo's. Don't have a WB. 2of:- 1970 2W/2W - still used in 1978.
DeleteWhen it comes to the Dvorak 7th I think the best "Golden Age" recording is the Monteux on RCA. The best overall is, imho, the digital recording of Carlos Paita with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, published on his own Lodia label. Trust me, you need to hear this one.
ReplyDeleteThat been said, the Kubelik recording on Decca with the Vienna Philharmonic is very good too, a lot better than his New World with the same orchestra. I am not sure about the sound, it is been a while since I heard it (all these new records arriving on the mail, they don't let me enjoy the old ones...)
DeleteThank you for the recommendation about the Paita/RPO version! I will have to check it out! I see it available for streaming on Apple Music.
DeleteI don't think I've ever owned that Kubelik Dvorak 7. It looks like an early Decca/London from 1957. Moon and Gray in "Full Frequency Stereophonic Sound" gave the original FFSS a 7 for sound. There is a later London STS reissue - maybe this one might be the one to try?
The STS is the one I have, I will give It a spin when I get the chance.
DeleteWell, I had a listen to the Kubelik 7th. Not a very good recording, 7 for a sound seems just about right, maybe even generous. The scene sounds cramped, instrument separation is not very good either.The interpretation though is pretty much outstanding.
DeleteThank you for the report, Kostaszag! The Kubelik 9th on Decca/London shares some of the same limitations, in my opinion. I have an STS of that and while the performance is decent, the sound is not very open or natural. Perhaps his DG recordings of the Dvorak 7 and 9 are better? I haven't heard those yet.
DeleteThe 1961 SB Monteux 7th was reissued 1969 on RCA Victrola VICS1310 - at that point still Decca pressed + retaining original 3D/1D matrices (also with other previous SB releases (eg, Monteux: Scheherazade/Elgar Enigma).
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about that one! I had the shaded dog RCA years ago but can't recall its sound. Seems like the Decca pressed issues might be the way to go here. I see also an Ace of Diamonds with 1W/1W matrices and an Eclipse with 2W/2W matrices.
DeleteRecently got the Elgar Enigma SB but haven't had time to get in a good listen!
DeleteScarce-ish VICS as SDD shortly-after. Scheherazade (1013):1E/2K - Elgar/Brahms (1107):1D/1D - Sibelius Sym5/Gibson (1016):1D/1D - Brahms PC2/Gilels (1026):2K/1K. Monteux/Fantastique (1031):1K/1K -recut; has no SB mvt3 split. The original SB matrices are distinctly bright...
Delete