Theodore Kuchar conducts Dvorak, Shostakovich, Smetana & Nielsen | Brilliant Classics 95932

Theodore Kuchar conducts Dvorak, Shostakovich, Smetana & Nielsen

Label: Brilliant Classics

Cat No: 95932

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 13

Genre: Orchestral

Release Date: 12th April 2019

Contents

Artists

Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Orquesta Sinfonica Venezuela

Conductor

Theodore Kuchar

Works

Dvorak, Antonin

A Hero's Song, op.111 B199
Carnival Overture, op.92 B169
Czech Suite, op.39 B93
Hussite Overture, op.67 B132
In Nature's Realm, op.91 B168
My Home, op.62 B125a
Othello Overture, op.93 B174
Symphonic Variations, op.78
The Golden Spinning Wheel, op.109
The Noon Witch, op.108
The Water Goblin, op.107
The Wild Dove, op.110

Fernandez, Oscar Lorenzo

Batuque

Ginastera, Alberto

Estancia, op.8
» Dances (4)

Hung, Yuri

Kanaima

Marquez, Arturo

Danzon no.2

Moncayo, Jose Pablo

Huapango

Nielsen, Carl

Symphonies 1-6 (complete)

Revueltas, Silvestre

Janitzio

Romero, Aldemaro

Tocatta Bachiana y Pajarillo Aldemaroso

Shostakovich, Dmitri

Festive Overture, op.96
Hamlet Suite, op.32a
Jazz Suite no.1
Jazz Suite no.2
Novorosiisk Chimes
Overture on Russian and Kyrgyz Folk Themes, op.115
The Bolt, op.27: Suite
The Gadfly: Suite, op.97a
The Golden Age: Suite, op.22a
The Limpid Stream: Ballet Suite op.39a

Smetana, Bedrich

Doctor Faust
» Overture
Festive Overture in C major
Festive Overture in D major, op.4
Festive Symphony in E major, op.6
Hakon Jarl, op.16
March of the National Guard
Ma vlast (My Country)
Nasim devam, polka for orchestra in D major
Richard III, op.11
Shakespeare Festival March in E major, op.20
The Bartered Bride (Prodana nevesta)
» Furiant
» Overture
» Polka
» Skocna - Dance of the Comedians
The Peasant Woman
» Polka
The Prague Carnival
» Introduction
» Polonaise
Wallenstein's Camp, op.14

Artists

Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Orquesta Sinfonica Venezuela

Conductor

Theodore Kuchar

About

The complete Brilliant Classics recordings of a masterful modern maestro with a touch of genius in little-known repertoire.

In the extensive booklet interview, the conductor Theodore Kuchar recalls how, as a boy growing up outside Cleveland to Ukrainian-born parents, he learnt his music at the feet of Lorin Maazel, sitting in the cheap seats every week. Sound training and determination took him to Helsinki as violist and part-time conductor for the Finnish Opera, thence to Brisbane for his first musical directorship in charge of the Queensland Philharmonic.

But it was in 1992 that Kuchar discovered his roots and began to establish an international reputation when he took over the National Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine. Together they have given lengthy tours worldwide, hundreds of concerts and made many recordings for several labels. The theatre music by Shostakovich was particularly successful and holds a treasured place in Kuchar’s heart: ‘The Bolt is absolute genius. I’ve done it with every orchestra I’ve had a long relationship with, and every time it knocks an audience sideways.’

In the early 2000s Kuchar also worked regularly with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra based in Ostrava, formerly known as the Czech Radio Orchestra. Together they recorded the major – and most of the minor – orchestral works by Smetana, the best-known tone-poems of Dvořák and even the complete symphonies of Carl Nielsen, which became a critical hit. Since then Kuchar has conducted orchestras throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. As music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Venezuela he led a vibrantly colourful collection of Latin-American orchestral classics (by Ginastera, Moncayo and Revueltas among others) for the last disc on this retrospective, recorded in 2011.

‘Theodore Kuchar is one of today's most dynamic, most successful young conductors… every instrumental effect comes through beautifully… Tempos are generally rapid and spirits high… this is a lot of fine Dvorák for a very low price.’ - Fanfare

‘This is a recording of very high worth by a conductor of genius. Each and every minute of every piece on this three-CD [Smetana] set is emotionally committed, tautly controlled, propulsive, and stunning. I haven’t heard a Má vlast or Bartered Bride Overture this good on records in eons.’
- Fanfare

‘These performances [of Latin-American classics] are very slick. The tightness of ensemble in Moncayo’s Huapango shows up the sloppiness of most other versions. Kuchar sets and maintains a perfect tempo here and elsewhere. The recording quality is sharp-edged and bright, adding to the excitement.’ - Fanfare

‘Theodore Kuchar leads what is without question the most exciting complete Nielsen symphony cycle available, making this the set to get for Nielsen newcomers.’ - Classics Today

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